Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

HP 812 C printer

Feb 13, 2005 8:54AM PST

I have an HP 812 C printer that displays streaks when printing with color. I have primed it several times then cleaned it several times all according to the mfr's directions. It is a very thrifty printer and I hate to give it up.
Is this a problem I can fix or is it a repair shop issue? A moderate repair charge would pay for itself in about a year in savings on ink! Anyone have any ideas or wisdom about this?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
HP 812 C printer
Feb 24, 2005 4:35PM PST
- Collapse -
Clean all areas
Feb 24, 2005 11:38PM PST

Besides the good suggestions of the other poster, if you've used this printer for along time, then clean the "parking station". You can try to access the parking station with cover on, but best with cover entirely off. That's a hassle but best access to it. You'll see once you do that, to wipe down with a shop paper towel or clean cloth/rag water damp and wipe down, repeat until clean. Don't use Q-tips and the like as they leave minute fibers behind causing streaks as well, harder to remove. Do that when all else fails.

enjoy -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Streakers
Mar 1, 2005 3:05PM PST

The streaks can be caused by two or three different things. You can remove the color cartridge and dab it on a wet sponge to be sure that there is no globbing on the bottom. Check the traction feed rollers to see if there has been any ink spill that might be transfering to your paper. The third problem calls for a new ink cartridge and that is damage to the print head itself. Damage can be done to the print head due to paper jams and foriegn objects placed on the upper paper tray. I have had similar problems with my HP 812c printer though I'm now using an HP photosmart 8150. If you haven't had a look at these photo printers I highly recommend you treat yourself to at least a test drive.