How to Troubleshoot an HP 6500 (9 Steps)

1. Clean your HP Officejet 6500's print sensor if your printer does not recognize the ink cartridges inside the device. Press the 'Power' button on the front control panel of the printer to power the device on. Open the printer's lid, and wait for the ink cartridges to slide to the middle of the printer and lock into place.
2. Locate the square printer sensor to the left of your ink cartridges, and wipe it clean using a microfiber cloth.
3. Close your HP Officejet 6500's printer lid, and wait for the cartridges to slide back into their proper location. Print a test document to ensure that the ink cartridges are now properly recognized by the printer.
Align Print Heads
1. Align your HP Officejet 6500's print heads if your printed documents are off-center. Load unused paper into the printer's paper tray, and press the 'Setup' button to access your HP Officejet 6500's main menu.
2. Scroll through the various options using the directional keys on the front of the printer, and select the 'Tools' tab. Click on the 'Align Printer' tab to begin the alignment process.
3. Wait as your HP Officejet 6500 prints a special piece of paper that will align the print heads. Discard of the paper once the process is completed, and print a test document to ensure that your documents are now properly aligned.
Clear Paper Jam
1. Remove all paper from your HP Officejet 6500's output tray if you experience a paper jam. Press and hold the 'Power' button on your printer's front control panel to power the device off.
2. Locate the duplexer on the rear of your HP Officejet 6500, and press the release tab to remove it. Check to see if there is any dislodged paper within the duplexer. Gently pull on any trapped paper, and remove it from the printer. Discard the paper, and snap the duplexer back into place.
3. Reinsert paper back into the HP Officejet 6500's paper trays, and power the device back on. Print a test document to ensure that you have completely removed the paper jam and that the device is now functioning properly.