For DeskJet 56xx Printers

Check the Print Cartridges

Verify that the rear access cleanout or 2-sided printing accessory is installed.
Plug in and turn on the printer.
Open the access door and the scraper (black block in front of carriage) will drop to allow
for pen loading.
Verify the print cartridges are installed.
Close the access door; then verify that print cartridge and resume lights are off.
If a problem is indicated, verify that the correct print cartridges are installed.
If a problem is indicated, verify that all tape has been removed from the print cartridges.
2 Sided Printing
Accessory

Access Door

Power Button and Light

Print Cartridges
Rear Access
Cleanout Assembly

Output Tray
Extension
Backstop

Encoder Strip
Scraper

Resume Button and Light

Input Tray
Print Cartridge Light
Cancel Button

Length Adjuster
Width Adjuster

Check the Printer

Retract the output tray extension, remove the output tray, and remove any paper.
Remove the rear access cleanout or 2-sided printing accessory.
Look for a paper jam between the rubber rollers.
Remove paper that may have jammed in the rollers both in back and in front of the printer.
Re-install the rear access cleanout or 2-sided printing accessory; ensuring it is fully locked
into position.

Check the Self-Test Print Out

Load paper correctly, set length and width adjusters.

Install the output tray and extend the output tray extension.
Close the access door.
Ensure the output tray is lowered all the way.
Plug in the printer and turn it on. Power light should be on.
Create a self test. 1. Press and hold the (Power) button
2. Press and release the (Resume) button once 3. Release the (Power) button.
Watch the printer for smooth paper feed and check the output for missing nozzles.
(incomplete text or graphics)
If attached, test the 2 sided printing module. 1. Press and hold the (Power) button
2. Press the (Cancel) button 3 times 3. Press the (Resume) button once
4. Release the (Power) button.

If you successfully printed a self-test page with good print quality, the printer is OK.
If not, the easy steps listed in Section 4 often solve the problem.

For DeskJet 56xx Printers

Poor Print Quality?

Printout has fine ink
streaks.
Printout has fine white
lines.

Check the print cartridge nozzles for ink and debris. Clean the nozzles using a lintfree swab dampened with distilled water.
Perform a 20-tap test to clean the pens

Printer Does Not Print?

Printer has no power.

Unplug power cord from source for 15 seconds and restore power. Ensure the Power
cord is firmly plugged into the printer and an active power source. Turn the printer
off and on twice.
Printer feeds paper but does Run the print cartridge cleaning routine found in the Printer Assistant . From the
not print.
main menu select the Tools and Updates, then select Printer and Maintenance
and finally click on Clean Cartridges. Or perform a 20-tap test to clean the pens
Power light on, but does not Check to see if Access Door is open.
print.
Check that the proper media (paper) is loaded and press the Resume Button to tell
The paper doesn't move,
and the resume light blinks, the printer to pick paper again. Try using a stack of roughly 10 sheets of media.
but does not print.
Lights blink alternately, but This error can be caused by a paper jam, wrong printer driver, or bad computer to
does not print.
printer connection. Ensure the carriage movement is not blocked.
Prints a single character
and ejects paper.
Power, Pen and Resume
lights are on steadily
Cancel and Resume lights
are on steadily

This error can be caused by a defective computer, wrong printer driver, or bad
interface cable.
Use Printer Assistant to check ink levels.
Make sure the Rear Cleanout or 2-sided printing accessory (duplexer) is fully seated
In the printer. Make sure the door on the 2-sided accessory is fully closed.

Paper Feed Problems?

No paper feed from the
input tray.

Ensure the input tray is not overloaded. Load a few sheets to the input tray to test
the paper path. Ensure the length adjuster is all the way forward and touching the
paper. Ensure the width adjuster is pushed toward the right and touching the
paper.
Paper partially ejected and Remove the rear access cleanout and pull out any damaged (curled/wrinkled) paper
the lights are flashing.
from between the rollers. Ensure paper is properly loaded in the input tray and
press the Resume (arrow) button.
Does not eject paper fully or Press the Resume (arrow) button to eject the paper and re-initiate a paper pick.
delays ejecting the paper.
Turn the printer and computer on in proper sequence as prescribed by the computer
manual.
Feeds multiple sheets.
Ensure the paper is not stuck together and meets the user manual specifications.
Fan the paper to free any attached sheets. Ensure the input tray is not overloaded
and contains the same type, size and weight of media.
Envelopes will not feed.

Ensure only one envelope is inserted into the single feed slot on the output tray.
Ensure envelopes have no bends or curls. Ensure envelopes are not overloaded.