How to Troubleshoot the HP Deskjet F4180

1. Verify the 'On' light on the front of the printer is lit up to indicate the printer is on. If it is not, press the 'Power' button and wait for the printer to start.
2. Ensure the power cord is securely connected to the back of the printer and firmly plugged into a power outlet, surge protector or power strip.
3. Check the USB connection between the printer and your computer to make sure that it's secure and that the USB cable is not too old and is no longer than 9.8 feet.
4. Restart your computer after checking all connections.
Ink Problems
1. Remove each ink cartridge if you are having print quality problems. Check for damage on the copper contact and make sure the plastic tape is removed from each cartridge.
2. Press and hold 'Cancel' and then press the 'Start Copy Color' button to print a self test. Clean the cartridges if you see broken lines in a pattern on the test. Check the black ink cartridge if the black line is not clear or missing. Check the color cartridge if any of the color lines are missing or not clear.
3. Open the 'HP Solution Center,' click 'Settings,' select 'Print Settings' and choose 'Printer Toolbox' to clean the cartridges. Select the 'Device Services' tab and choose 'Clean the Print Cartridges.' Follow the instructions until you are satisfied with the quality of the printing, then click 'Done.'
4. Open the 'HP Solution Center' from your desktop or 'Start' menu and click 'Settings,' 'Print Settings' and then 'Printer Toolbox.' Click the 'Estimated Ink Level' tab and check the ink levels.
5. Replace the ink cartridges if the ink levels are low. Turn the printer on, open the print cartridge door, press down on the ink cartridge and remove it once the print carriage stops moving. Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and slide it into the correct position.
Copying
1. Ensure the original is placed correctly on the glass if your whole image does not copy. The original should lay face down on the glass, flush with the left front corner.
2. Wait for the printer to finish another job if the 'On' light is blinking.
3. Verify you're using paper supported by the F4180.
4. Turn the printer off and clean the scanner glass with a slightly moist soft cloth or sponge if your copy has spots or is missing areas of the original.
Scanning
1. Close all open applications that you aren't using to free up memory if your scan fails.
2. Ensure your original is face down, flush with the front corner of the glass if your scan comes out blank.
3. Make a black-and-white copy of your original document and then scan the copy if your scanned image shows dotted lines instead of text. The scanner may not recognize color text.
4. Open the 'HP Solution Center' and then 'HP Scanning' window. Click 'Lighten/Darken' from the 'Basic' menu and adjust the brightness indicators if the text is missing or incorrect.