I have an HP710C with the following problem. When I try to print a document it prints approx 1/2'inch at the top of the page then just stops. The carriage motor works and the roller feed motor is OK as the paper feed works .Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Harvey: You did not actually say, but I'm assuming that you are getting a flashing Service Error Light coming on your printer when it stops. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS ARE: Incorrect ink cartridges installed, ink cartridges way past their actual expiration date, simply a bad or failing ink cartridge or cartridges, dirty and or dry Carriage Assembly, binding or jamming in Paper Pick-Up Assembly, jammed or failing Cleaning Station Assembly, or even a dirty Encoder Strip/Sensor Strip...QUICK TEST: If the printer has an Error Light/LED on, then turn it OFF and back ON to reset the error condition. With the printer in a normal ready condition [only the Power Light on], open the Top Cover Door. The "Print Cartridge Holder Assembly" should actually unlock and start moving towards the center position. If not, then you may have a wrong or bad cartridge installed. Check to be sure the correct black ink cartridge is installed [#HP45 = #51645A]. Check to see if the correct color ink cartridge is installed [#HP23 = #C1823D or #CC1823T]...QUESTIONS: Does the print cartridge holder assembly happen to be stuck over to the far left side of the carriage assembly? When you turn on the printer, does it make grinding or ratcheting type noises, or even a slamming noise, prior to that Flashing Error Light coming on? Does it sound like the grinding noise is coming from the far right side of the printer, just under where the cartridges set?...Try and eliminate a possible incorrect or failing ink cartridge, which is a very common problem. Also try and answer my questions, because if you can give us more information to go on, we may be able to help you further...Good Luck! Denny Conway
Harvey..ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM: Although it's possible your printer has an electronic or mechanical failure, the most common problem is that the "Carriage Assembly" is simply DIRTY and or DRY, causing it to stick and make noises. That usually results in the printer loosing track of just where the "Print Cartridge Holder Assembly" is actually at and that can cause the error light/led to come on. Sometimes when the printer looses track of where that assembly is at, it then keeps telling that assembly to keep moving and can even cause it to slam into the end of the printer. Try wiping off all around the round metal carriage bar or shaft [that the print cartridge holder assembly moves back-n-forth on], with a lint free cloth. Also clean the outside of the metal bushings with q-tips, that the carriage bar passes thru, on both sides of the print cartridge holder assembly. You can also use alcohol on the cloth, if there is a lot of build-up on the carriage shaft/bar. Then lube the metal bar on both sides of the holder assembly, slightly with a precision oiler, not a spray lubrication. A drop or two of a Teflon based lubrication or Tri-Flo lube is best on the older models of most printers. Manually slide the holder assembly back and forth to spread out the lubrication and wipe of any excess lube or blackish build-up that appears on the bar. Look for an e-mail message from me with more in-depth information, that might help you in that area. You can check out this link, supplied by WES, to see different lubrications: http://www.epsonhelp.web1000.com/oil.html and also this link provided by WES, http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/glide.html , to see some general information on "Carriage Guide Shaft Maintenance"...Again, Good Luck! Denny Conway
Thanks denny for your prompt reply. I know the problem with the sticking carriage assembly and the grinding noise. The printer however initializes ok when switched on and there is no grinding noise. The carriage moves to the right to the cleaning dock and then moves back to the normal printing position. Then it starts to print the text etc. After it has printed approximately one half inch of text the unit stops printing and does nothing. There is no error light, the cartridges are OK 23 and 45 . When I open the cover I can see the half inch of text and the carriage stopped in the waiting mode. When I press the paper feed button the paper feeds out ok.The cleaning dock is quite dirty if this helps the diagnoses. Thanks again. Harvey Benson
Harvey: Wow! No noises and no error lights coming on. Most hardware/parts failures cause strange noises, or cause that service error light to come on, so yours is a strange problem. Have you tried running your printers "Internal Self-Test Page", directly from the printer? With the printer cable removed from your printer, turn the printer off for 10 seconds or so, to reset it and then turn it back on. Then with paper loaded, press and hold the Power Button in. Now press the Resume/Paper Button four times and then release the power button. The printer will then print out an internal self-test page, if its working normally. Sometimes you may need to perform this procedure several times, before the printer will print out that test page. If that test page prints out normally, then connect your printer cable again and try running the same test again. If it still prints out normally, then open up your Printer Properties Utility and see if you can run one of those tests, or the Tool Box tests. Let us know if any of those tests can be ran successfully, or if only the tests ran from your computer system fail...Denny Conway
To remove the service station do the following. 1. Remove the Torx (T10) screw on the top of the right cover. 2. Pull up on the right cover to disengage it where the removed screw went through. 3. From the back, near the clean-out cover, insert a screwdriver between the right cover and the base coming in from the bottom. Pry up and the cover will release. 4. Do the same operation in the front near the paper tray and the cover will release completely and hinge to the right. 5. Release the clip that secures the switches to free the cover from the printer. 6. There is one Torx (T10) screw in the front of the service station holding it in place. Remove the screw and unplug the motor cable, and the service station will lift from the front and slide out. 7. Scrape as much congealed ink as possible from inside the service station. Remove the Torx (T10) screw holding the motor in place and remove it. 8. Soak the service station in hot water to dissolve the ink. It will take a half-hour or so and a few rinsings to remove the ink.
MY HP710C is ome 4 years oild- sometimes I use refill ink in my cartridge both black an colured ones. Many a times I find that even after I have filled in ink in all cartridge- the fualt lamp keeps on blinking and I cant print. It has happnede now and I cant use the parinter. What do I do- how do I solve this problem without putting in new HP cartrdige. Will apprecaiet advice. Thanks and regards
The cartridge error light flickers same way when the printer is powered after removing the cartridges. This problem began some days/prints after refilling the color cartridge (C1823G), but it persisted even after my replacing same with a brand new cartridge.
My printer has started feeding badly. The top of each piece of paper is slightly bent and pages sometimes do not feed correctly (leading to an error light or sometimes the printing continues with every pages creased at the top). The printing is absolutely fine.
The paper is what i have used before and I have tried replacing with absolutely pristine flat paper that i have "flicked" through to prevent the printer taking multiple sheets which it is also prone to now.
Remove the rear access door and clean the large rubber rollers with a cloth dampened with water. Looking from the rear, insert a dampened index card between the second roller from the left and the paper separator. The paper separator is the 1/2" square rubber pad at the bottom of the roller. Insert and remove the card a few times.
If the above doesn't solve the problem you may have to replace the paper separator, not that difficult.
Thanks Bert - that worked - now why can't the manual tell you something as simple as that? (I've been using the HP manual online which is almost incomprehensible and doesn't cover the problem anyway.)
I can only speculate as to why HP was of no help. 1. When the manual was written HP did not anticipate the problem. 2. The people who write the manuals are not printer techs. 3. The product is "old" and HP doesn't want to spend the money required to update their support info. 4. They would rather sell you a new printer.
By the way, your printer uses one of the best mechanisms that HP has produced.
I have HP710 with muriad of problems. The main one is paper pickup from the tray. It seems the electronic signal or mechanism to tell the lift tab to raise the paper tray so the rollers can grab it doesn't work anymore. Anyone with a clue how to resolve this issue ?
I wish there was a service manual available for this printer.. It has always been my favourite
The paper lifter (lift tab) is generally out of place when the paper fails to lift but a foreign object in the mechanism can also be the cause. The paper lifts by electro mechanical means, i.e. a special sequenced movement of the paper feed components.
Removing the case 1. Remove the Torx (T10) screw on the top of the right and left cover. 2. Pull up on the right cover to disengage it where the removed screw went through. 3. From the back, near the clean-out cover, insert a screwdriver between the right cover and the base coming in from the bottom. Pry up and the cover will release. 4. Do the same operation in the front near the paper tray and the cover will release completely and hinge to the right. 5. Release the clip that secures the switches to free the cover from the printer. 6. Do steps 2-4 to remove the left cover.
Replacing the paper lifter 1. Remove the rear access door. 2. Release and remove the feed rollers by rotating the levers toward you that are integrated into both black feed roller shaft bearings. The levers rest in detents and must be pried outward slightly with a small slot style screwdriver before they can be rotated. 3. Pull the sliding paper tray forward. 4. The dislodged paper lifter can now have it’s tabs reinserted into the slots in the bottom of the printer. The slots are between the left two feed rollers.
While you have it apart I suggest cleaning the feed rollers and service station to avoid problems later.
Clean the feed rollers with water.
I sugget wearing latex gloves while cleaning the service station.
1. There is one Torx (T10) screw in the front of the service station holding it in place. Remove the screw and unplug the motor cable, and the service station will lift from the front and slide out. 2. Scrape as much congealed ink as possible from inside the service station. Remove the Torx (T10) screw holding the motor in place and remove it. 3. Immerse the service station in hot water to dissolve the ink. It will take a half-hour or so and a few rinsings to remove the ink.
First ... I am a completely illiterate about anything electronic! AND, I'm too old to learn:) Anyway, jokes aside ... I was trying to print a picture (5x7) on photo paper. The paper did not go through, and I assume I loaded it wrong. However, I pulled the tray out and retrieved the paper. When I tried to use my 'normal' print paper (letter size) ... I can hear 'the wheels a turning' .. but nada ... then I get the 'light' and the message that it didn't print .. duh! I obviously haven't got the paper tray 'just right', but I've tried everything and it's not working. I'm really hesitant about taking a screw driver to this poor old thing .. I'll never get it back together! It's been the best printer ever, even if it is old.... and HP Help is NO help at all ... I agree, they want us to buy new one's... Do you think it's just that the paper tray is not 'right' ??? Thanks for your anticipated help.
Try printing a document while looking into the paper tray at a low angle. The paper should lift into the feed rollers. If it does not its time to get out your screwdriver. The paper lifter is probably out of position. I have repair instructions.
If the paper is lifting remove the rear cleanout door and clean the large black rubber rollers (feed rollers) with water.
I wouldn't give up on "ol' reliable" without a fight. Its among HP's best designs.
Tip: Always remove paper jams through the rear cleanout door.
Old Broad,If those paper pickup wheels aren't soft anymore the paper cannot get picked up very well. check the rollers for hardness and if they are harder either clean them with warm water or use a product to soften them up again.
Make sure you have the correct paper stock selected as well for your printer preferences.
Thanks Bert for your reply to my earlier question.
Hello All I have an elderly but rarely used HP 710c inkjet which after working perfectly has developed this problem:-
The print cartridge holder assembly appears to be stuck over to the far left side of the carriage assembly where it makes a loud grinding / ratcheting noise. The paper is picked up but fails to feed through.
Any advice or help would be very gratefully recieved
Can only print yellow and black - no magenta or cyan. Have replaced colour cartridge, cleaned contacts to cartridges and cartridge cradles, but no joy. Is there anything else I can try, or do I scrap the printer (it's 10 yrs old) and buy a new one?
Verify that ink can flow from the color cartridge by blotting the print nozzles on a damp paper towel a few times for two seconds. You should see yellow, magenta, and cyan flowing freely. If you do not, in spite of ink being in the cartridge it is defective.
When you turn on the printer, does it make grinding or ratcheting type noises, or even a slamming noise, prior to that Flashing Error Light coming on? Does it sound like the grinding noise is coming from the far right side of the printer, just under where the cartridges set? This describes my problem, but what must i do?? Any help would be appreciated Ludwig
The carriage may be stuck in the service station (far right). This could be caused by a failed service station motor or the service station needs to be cleaned. Go to the web page below and tell me which light pattern is displayed in order to clarify the the problem. http://h10025.www1.hp.com
Re: HP 710C by Luwie69 (edited 11/21/08 12:00 PM) reply
The power led & the resume button are blinking. But i think i solved the problem by cleaning out the service station as you said by the method you described earlier. I have to try it still on my uncles pc, since i have no parallel port anymore, i've tried the "stand-alone" printjob described by denny and that works so i have good hopes. Thanks Bert and Denny for the good advice & the effort you put in this forum!
I seem to have the same problem as Cicerou 9/18/08 above. Cartridge gets stuck to the left and after resetting seems to think that "center" is 1/3 of the way to the left. (Mine also starts to print fine and then makes grinding noises) It also seems to be running it's cleaning cycle before getting to the right (pile of ink at the right edge of my paper area). Anybody know how to get the cartridge to recenter?
Clean the encoder strip on both sides with water. The encoder strip is made of thin plastic approximately 1/4" wide and runs the length of the printer.
Thank you! Between cleaning the strip and discovering that the bottom of the cleaning apparatus was stuck forward - the carriage now returns all the way to the right and centers itself properly.
Printer was working fine until I had a paper jam. After I cleared it, the ink cartridge light began blinking. I tried removing and replacing the cartridges, but no help. Since I haven't used the color one in ages, and have only been using the black, I went and bought a new one. Can't find the real "HP" versions in stores around here so i had to get one of the refab Nukote replacements. Still, no go on printing, not even the test utility from computer or on self-test (unhooked from computer, as described above) Carrige seems to run back and forth smoothly and with no unfamiliar sounds. Tried multiple "reboots" of unit following various instructions to no avail. Have I exhausted all possible solutions? I know I've had this ol'girl a long time and she's been a peach, but I'd hate to put her down. We've gotten along so well up till now. Thanks.
Assuming that both cartridges are good the odds highly favor poor electrical contact between a cartridge and the carriage. Clean the electrical contacts on both cartridges and the carriage with a cotton swab and alcohol. If that doesn't cure the problem I would suspect a defective cartridge. Refilled cartridges generally have a higher failure rate than new.
The reason your ol' girl has been so faithful is that she is one of HP's high water mark inkjet printers. She may break a carriage drive belt in the future but transplants are available.
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