How to Troubleshoot an HP Officejet J6480 (11 Steps)

1. Take out any loose paper from the printer’s input and output trays. Unplug the USB and power cords from the back of the printer.
2. Remove the back door by sliding both of the tabs on the printer’s back door toward the middle of the door. Pull out any stuck paper, including small pieces stuck on the rollers.
3. Open the printer’s top cover. Pull out any stuck paper, including anything keeping the cartridge carriage from moving completely from one side of the printer to another.
4. Clean all of the rollers inside the machine with a microfiber cloth dampened with distilled water. Make sure to rotate each roller completely, then let the machine sit for 15 minutes.
5. Close the printer’s back door and top cover. Plug in the USB and power cords, then turn on the printer and try to process a new print job.
6. Reset the printer if the message still displays. Turn the printer on, then unplug the power cord from the back of the printer and the outlet. Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power cord back in and turn on the printer.
Faded Printouts
1. Click on “Start” then “All Programs” then “HP” and click on “HP Solution Center.” Select “Settings” then “Print Settings” and choose “Printer Toolbox” to see the ink cartridge levels. Replace either cartridge if it is low or out of ink.
2. Open the document you are printing and click on “File” then “Print.” Click on “Properties” then “Printing Shortcuts.” Adjust the “Paper Type” to match what you are printing on, as well as select your paper’s size and select a higher print quality, if available.
3. Press “Setup” on the printer’s control panel, then use the arrow keys to highlight “Print Report” and press the “OK” button. Use the arrow keys to highlight “Self-Test Report” and press “OK.”
4. Replace the print cartridge if the bars printed on the sheet do not match the colors on the print cartridge’s label or if any colors are completely missing.
5. Run the printer’s self-cleaning process if the printout shows streaks. Click on “Start” then “All Programs” then “HP Officejet 6400 Series” and finally “HP Officejet 6400 Series Toolbox.” Select the tab labeled “Services” and click on the box next to “Clean Print Cartridges,” then follow the instructions on the screen.