Frustrating Printing Glitches
One of the primary functions of any printer is, well, printing. Yet, users of the HP Photosmart C4640 frequently report a variety of printing problems. A peculiar issue involves printing web pages coded in HTML, where a simple page can result in an excessive number of printouts, sometimes 20 or 30 pages long, often with parts of the content missing. Beyond web printing, many users find their printer suddenly stops producing color prints, impacting the quality of documents and photos. Photo printing itself can become problematic, especially after operating system updates, with the issue affecting both color and black and white photos. Troubleshooting steps often involve checking drivers and potentially printing a test page for printing to diagnose if the issue is with the printer hardware or the computer’s communication.
Source: https://www.justanswer.com/printers/2zqul-bought-hp-photosmart-c4640-wal-mart-not.html
Source: https://www.eehelp.com/question/hp-photosmart-c4640-photo-printing-problem
Paper Handling and Feeding Errors
Another frequent complaint concerns the printer’s interaction with paper. Users commonly encounter the dreaded “Out of Paper” error message, even when the paper tray is loaded. This error usually signifies that the printer’s paper pickup mechanism is failing to correctly grip and feed paper into the printing path. Issues with rollers are sometimes suggested as a potential cause for these paper feeding failures. Ensuring paper is loaded correctly and free from tears or damage is a basic troubleshooting step, but often the problem lies deeper within the printer’s mechanics.
Source: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02065582
Source: https://www.eehelp.com/question/hp-photosmart-c4640-photo-printing-problem
Scanner Malfunctions Despite Other Functions Working
The HP Photosmart C4640 is designed as an all-in-one device, offering printing, scanning, and copying. However, users often report that while the printing and copying functions work without a hitch, the scanning capability fails. This can manifest as an inability to initiate a scan from the computer or the printer itself, making the device only partially functional. This specific issue suggests a problem isolated to the scanner component or the software interface controlling it, separate from the core printing engine.
Source: https://www.justanswer.com/printers/6j0m4-can-t-hp-photosmart-printer-scan-pc.html
Cartridge Recognition, Print Head, and Startup Problems
Error messages related to ink cartridges are also very common with the C4640. Messages like “Unrecognized Cartridge” or “Incompatible Ink Cartridge” frequently appear, preventing printing. These issues can sometimes be linked to the cartridges themselves or the printer’s print head assembly where the cartridges are installed. A more general “Print Cartridge Problem” message often points towards a print head issue. Separately, some users observe unusual startup behavior where the printer immediately cycles through touch screen functions upon being plugged in, rather than remaining idle until a command is given. This could potentially be related to power supply issues, as low power in a multi-device setup is mentioned as a possible factor contributing to printer problems.
To troubleshoot cartridge or print head issues, printing a printable test page from the printer’s internal menu (if available) or initiating a print test page from the computer’s printer properties can help determine if the printer hardware is functioning correctly or if the issue lies with the cartridges or print head.
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Source: https://www.justanswer.com/printers/4q4td-hp-photosmart-c4640-printer-soon-plugged-starts.html
Connectivity and Compatibility Challenges
Connecting the HP Photosmart C4640, particularly in certain network configurations or with specific operating systems, can also present challenges. Difficulty has been reported when attempting to integrate the printer into a network setup involving Airport Express, especially when the computer is running Windows 7. These issues highlight potential driver compatibility conflicts or network configuration hurdles that need to be addressed to enable reliable wireless or wired communication between the computer and the printer.