5 Simple Ways to Align Your HP Printer

Easy alignment fixes for HP Deskjet, Envy, and OfficeJet printers

When your HP printer fails to line up your printed pages properly, or your printer displays an “alignment failed” error message, your cartridges are likely out of alignment. This How.com.vn teaches you how to re-align the print cartridges on your HP printer using Windows, macOS, or the display screen on the printer.

Things You Should Know

Use the free HP Smart app to easily align your printer from any device.
For older Windows computers, use HP Solutions Center or Printer Assistant.
For older Mac computers, use HP Utility.
Alternatively, use the printer's display panel to align it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using HP Smart App

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1
Power on your HP printer. This method teaches you how to use the free HP Smart printer management app for any device including Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows.
- You also have the option of using the HP Solutions Center (2010 models and later) or HP Printer Assistant (models older than 2010) to manage your printer. If you already have one of these apps in your Start menu (Windows), you can use the Using HP Solutions Center or Printer Assistant for Windows method as an alternative.
The paper you use to align the printer must be blank, white, and the standard letter-size (8.5" x 11").
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Click or tap the app icon that looks a printer and phone. If you don't have it, you can get the app for free from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad, Google Play Store on your Android, Microsoft Store on Windows 10-11, or App Store on your Mac.^{[1]XResearch source}
If you don't see your printer, for example if this is the first time you're using the app, you'll have to follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
5
Click Print Quality Tools. It's in the left column under the "Utility" header.
- If you don't see text options in the left column, click the three-line menu at the top-left corner of the window to expand them.
7
Follow the on-screen instructions. The Align option will walk you through the process of printing a special page that realigns your printer cartridges.
- If your printer has a built-in scanner, this process will involve scanning the alignment page. Further instructions will appear on the screen.
- If you see get an error that says "Alignment Failed" or "Alignment Unsuccessful," see the Fixing Alignment Issues method.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using HP Solutions Center or Printer Assistant for Windows

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1
Power on your HP printer. This method should work for all versions of Windows.
- If your HP printer was released in 2010 or after, you likely have the HP Solutions Center on your computer. If it's older, you'll probably have the HP Printer Assistant software instead.
- To find out which HP software is installed, open the Start menu, locate the HP sub-menu, and look for HP Solutions Center or HP Printer Assistant.
- If you don't have either option, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers in a web browser and follow the on-screen instructions to find and download the HP Easy Start install app for your printer model.
The paper you use to align the printer must be blank, white, and the standard letter-size (8.5" x 11").
3
Open the HP Solution Center application on your computer. You should find it in your Start menu, sometimes in a folder called HP.
- If you don't see HP Solutions Center, open HP Printer Assistant.^{[2]XResearch source}
4
Click Settings. It's near the bottom of the window.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you're using HP Printer Assistant, click Print and Scan and then Maintain Your Printer. Then, skip to Step 7.
It's under the "Print Quality" header at the center of the window.
It's at the bottom of the window.
10
Follow the on-screen instructions to align the printer cartridges. If your printer has a built-in scanner, this process will involve scanning the alignment page. Further instructions will appear on the screen.
- If you see get an error that says "Alignment Failed" or "Alignment Unsuccessful," see the Fixing Alignment Issues method.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using HP Utility on a Mac

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The paper you use to align the printer must be blank, white, and the standard letter-size (8.5" x 11").
3
Open HP Utility on your Mac. If it's installed, you'll find it in the Applications folder in a sub-folder called HP.
- If you don't see the app, you'll need to install it. Go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers in a web browser and follow the on-screen instructions to find and download the HP Easy Start install app for your printer model. Once downloaded, double-click the .dmg file to install HP Utility.
It's in the first group of icons. This opens the Align Cartridges window.
This sends an alignment page to your printer. The printed page will display many numbered boxes with black and blue lines.
The box that shows the largest gap between lines is the one you're looking for.^{[4]XResearch source} Note the number of the box.
Choose the right box from column A.
Continue until you've made a selection for all column letters.
9
Click Done. The printer cartridges will now realign.
- If you see get an error that says "Alignment Failed" or "Alignment Unsuccessful," see the Fixing Alignment Issues method.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using the Printer's Display

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If your printer has a display on the unit, you can align the print cartridges without using a computer.
You can use the arrow keys next to the printer's display to navigate.^{[5]XResearch source}
This prints an alignment test page. You'll be prompted to scan the page now.
You'll be realigning the cartridges by scanning the alignment page.
The printed side should be face-down.
8
Close the scanner lid and press OK. Your printer will scan the alignment page and then realign the cartridges as needed.
- If you see get an error that says "Alignment Failed" or "Alignment Unsuccessful," see the Fixing Alignment Issues method.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting

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If you're unable to properly align the printer using the method for your operating system, make sure your printer paper is unused, unwrinkled, and properly inserted.
If you have a combination printer/scanner, you'll have to scan the printed alignment page to realign the cartridges. Follow the on-screen instructions, as well as any instructions that appear on the alignment page, to make sure you're completing the whole process.
If you're still experiencing issues, unplug the power cable from the printer for 60 seconds, and then plug it back in. Try aligning the cartridges again when the printer comes back up.
4
Make sure you're using genuine HP ink cartridges. If you're not using genuine HP ink or toner cartridges, replace your cartridges with new ones from HP. Counterfeit cartridges could cause alignment issues.
- Visit https://www.hp.com/go/anticounterfeit to learn more about counterfeit cartridges.
5
Evaluate the printed alignment page for ink issues. A proper alignment page should show strong blue and black lines.
- If your printer is low on ink, the alignment page may appear faded, streaky, or smeared. Black and/or cyan may not show up on the page. If any of these things are happening, you're likely low on ink and need to replace the cartridges.
- If the printed alignment page does not have any streaks and you see both black and blue on the page, contact HP support to service the printer.

Community Q&A

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Question
My ink cartridges are empty and the printer is asking me to align them, but I only want to send a fax. How can I get past the alignment issue?
Techman2002
Community Answer
Replace the ink cartridge or it will not align. It cannot be avoided, and you will have to do it to send a fax.
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Question
Why does the print go off the end of my paper?
Community Answer
You did not format your document properly. Reformat to fit the size of paper being used.
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Question
What do I do if I buy an HP printer and the printer alignment is incorrect?
Community Answer
Align the printer. You will need to align the printer head every time you replace a cartridge, as every cartridge is a bit different. The printer will probably prompt you with instructions on how to align it, or you can check the manual for this information.
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