To fix an HP printer alignment failed error, power-reset the printer, check its ink supply, then run alignment on plain white paper and complete the requested scan or pattern selection. If the printed patterns are faded, streaked, or missing colors, run automatic cleaning before trying alignment again. Use the instructions for your model, because maintenance menus and scan buttons differ.
The short version
- Start with power and ink: Disconnect power for 60 seconds, reconnect directly to a wall outlet, and check for depleted ink.
- Use the right paper: Load plain white paper before printing an alignment sheet.
- Finish the process: Complete the requested scan or pattern selection after the sheet prints.
- Check poor patterns: Run automatic cleaning when the alignment sheet has faded, missing, or streaked patterns.
| Option | Use it for | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Power reset | HP inkjet alignment errors | Disconnect power for 60 seconds |
| Ink and cartridge check | Depleted ink or cartridge seating problems | Replenish ink and reseat applicable cartridges |
| HP app alignment | Compatible inkjets | Run the app’s alignment tool |
| Manual pattern selection | Supported single-function inkjets | Enter the requested pattern choices |
| Traditional touchscreen alignment | Printers with the maintenance menu | Select Align Printhead |
| HP Printer Assistant alignment | Compatible Windows installations | Print an alignment page |
| HP app diagnostic report | Compatible inkjets with report controls | Inspect the print-quality patterns |
| HP app cleaning | Faded, missing, or streaked patterns | Run automatic printhead cleaning |
| OfficeJet Pro touchscreen alignment | 9110, 9120, and 9130 series | Select Printhead Alignment |
| OfficeJet Pro touchscreen cleaning | 9110, 9120, and 9130 series | Select Printhead Cleaning |
| OfficeJet Pro diagnostic report | 9110, 9120, and 9130 series | Print the diagnostic report |
| OfficeJet Pro setup alignment | 9110, 9120, and 9130 setup | Accept alignment and scan on 9120 |
| DeskJet and ENVY touchscreen alignment | 6100 and 6500 series | Select Cartridge Alignment |
| DeskJet and ENVY cartridge cleaning | 6100 and 6500 series | Inspect each cleaning level’s output |
| DeskJet and ENVY smear cleaning | 6100 and 6500 sheets with ink smears | Select Clean Smear |
| DeskJet and ENVY setup alignment | 6100 and 6500 setup | Print and scan the sheet |
| DeskJet Copy button scan | 2800, 4200, and 4900 with blinking A | Scan using a Copy button |
| Smart Tank rescan or reprint | Models with blinking A, Attention, and Resume | Rescan or print a fresh sheet |
| Smart Tank Resume reprint | 500, 510, and 530 with the alignment alert | Press Resume |
| Smart Tank Copy button scan | 6000, 7000, and 7300 alignment status | Press the blinking Copy button |
| Smart Tank diagnostic buttons | 6000, 7000, and 7300 series | Use Information and Color Copy |
| Scanner glass cleaning | Flatbed printers with possible sheet-reading trouble | Clean the glass and lid backing |
| Cartridge replacement | Listed DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage and ENVY models | Replace the affected cartridge and align |
| DesignJet alignment | T200, T600, and Studio | Use model-specific alignment controls |
| Software troubleshooting | Software blocking maintenance printing | Run Diagnose & Fix |
| HP app installation | Supported devices needing maintenance tools | Install the app and add your printer |
| HP support and service | Persistent failure or eligible faulty cartridges | Request help and retain a defective print sample |
Restart the printer with a power reset
A power reset turns the printer off before you reconnect its power supply. To power reset an HP printer, remove any rechargeable battery on a battery-equipped model, then turn the printer off. If it is unresponsive, disconnect its power cord.
Unplug the printer from power and wait 60 seconds. Reconnect the cord directly to a wall outlet and the printer, then turn it on. If alignment still fails, check the ink supply and cartridge installation.
Check the ink supply and cartridge seating
Check Ink Levels on printers with that control, use the HP app’s ink estimates, or inspect the tank windows. Replace depleted cartridges, or refill tanks on Ink Tank, Smart Tank, and DeskJet GT models. Apply the cartridge-removal steps only to cartridge-based printers, not tank printheads.
Open cartridge access and wait for the carriage to stop. Hold cartridges by their sides as you remove them, avoiding the contacts and nozzles. Remove leftover protective tape and carriage obstructions, then reseat the cartridges firmly in their correct slots and close access.
Run alignment on plain white paper
If you need the app, open HP’s app download page and, under Download today, select the app-store link for your device. Install the HP app from that store and add your printer. Available maintenance controls depend on your printer and platform.
Load plain white paper, open the HP app, and select the printer image. Under Diagnostics or Tools, select Print quality tools, then Align printheads, or select View all print quality tools > OK > Align. Complete any scanning instructions printed on the sheet.
On a printer with the traditional touchscreen menu, tap Settings > Printer Maintenance > Align Printhead, then Continue. Complete any scanning instructions on the sheet. If your panel has a different menu, use the matching model path below or the compatible HP app controls.
On OfficeJet Pro 9110, 9120, and 9130 series printers, tap Menu > Utilities > Tools > Troubleshooting > Print Quality > Printhead Alignment. Tap Start, then Continue. On DeskJet and ENVY 6100 and 6500 series printers with the touchscreen, use Menu > Utilities > Tools > Troubleshooting > Cartridge Alignment.
On Windows with model-compatible HP Printer Assistant installed, open it through the desktop printer icon or search for your printer model. Select Print, Scan & Fax > Maintain Your Printer, then Align Printheads or Align Cartridges/Printheads. Select Print alignment page, click Next, and complete any sheet-scanning instructions.
For DesignJet T200, T600, and Studio printers, load plain white paper with A4 or Letter in portrait orientation and close the printer window. On the panel, select Printer Maintenance > Align the Printhead. Alternatively, in the Embedded Web Server, select Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox > Optimize and Improve > Align Printhead, then wait for completion.
If you already have a compatible HP Utility installation for these DesignJet models, the Windows route is Support > Printhead Alignment. Wait for alignment to finish, and keep these paths limited to the named DesignJet models.
Complete the alignment sheet scan
Printing the sheet may be only part of alignment, so finish its scanning instructions. On supported single-function HP inkjets that request pattern choices instead, print the sheet through the HP app, enter the requested Alignment pattern choices, and click Done.
During DeskJet and ENVY 6100 and 6500 setup alignment, tap Align. Place the printed sheet printed-side down against the indicated scanner-glass corner, close the lid, and tap Scan. During OfficeJet Pro 9110, 9120, and 9130 setup, tap OK when alignment is requested. On the 9120, place the resulting sheet printed-side down against the indicated scanner-glass corner, close the lid, and tap Scan.
On DeskJet 2800, 4200, and 4900 series printers, when the sheet prints and A blinks, place it printed-side down on the scanner glass and close the lid. Press Black Copy or Color Copy, then wait for scanning to finish. This operation does not print another page.
On Smart Tank models with the blinking A, Attention, and Resume alignment-error combination, press a Copy button to rescan the sheet or Resume to print a fresh one. Place the sheet printed-side down on the scanner glass, close the lid, and press the blinking Copy button. On Smart Tank 500, 510, and 530 series printers, when Resume, Power, A, and Alert blink together, press Resume and complete the new sheet’s instructions.
On Smart Tank 6000, 7000, and 7300 models showing the A or racecourse alignment status, wait for the alignment sheet. Place it printed-side down on the scanner glass, press the blinking Copy button, and wait for scanning to finish.
Print a report to check the patterns
To inspect print quality through the HP app, load white paper and select your printer. Open Diagnostics or Tools, select Print quality tools or Printer Reports, then choose Print quality report. Evaluate the printed patterns for fading, missing colors, or streaking.
On OfficeJet Pro 9110, 9120, and 9130 series printers, load paper and turn the printer on. Tap Menu > Utilities > Tools > Reports > Status Reports > Print Quality Diagnostic Report, then Print. Inspect the report before deciding whether to clean.
On Smart Tank 6000, 7000, and 7300 series printers, hold Information for five seconds to enter support mode, then hold Color Copy for three seconds. Inspect the diagnostic page for missing colors, fading, and white lines.
Clean faded patterns or ink smears
If alignment patterns are faded, missing, or streaked, load white paper and select your printer in the HP app. Open Diagnostics or Tools > Print quality tools > Clean printhead, or select View all print quality tools > OK > Clean Printhead.
Inspect the printed test and select Yes if further cleaning is needed. Wait at least 30 minutes before repeating a complete cleaning cycle. After addressing poor patterns, run alignment again and finish the requested scan.
On OfficeJet Pro 9110, 9120, and 9130 series printers, load plain white paper. Tap Menu > Utilities > Tools > Troubleshooting > Print Quality > Printhead Cleaning, then Continue. Inspect the test before deciding whether further cleaning is necessary.
On DeskJet and ENVY 6100 and 6500 series printers, tap Menu > Utilities > Tools > Troubleshooting > Cartridge Cleaning > Level 1. Inspect the diagnostic printout, then tap Level 2 if quality remains poor.
If sheets have ink smears on these DeskJet and ENVY models, load plain white paper and select Menu > Utilities > Tools > Troubleshooting > Clean Smear. Let the sheet finish feeding before removing it. Use this maintenance option for smearing; it does not establish that the alignment failure itself is resolved.
Clean the scanner glass if reading the sheet fails
If your flatbed printer seems unable to read the alignment sheet, cleaning the glass is a diagnostic step to consider. HP provides the cleaning procedure, but its use for an alignment-reading failure is a troubleshooting inference. Turn the printer off and unplug it, lift the lid, then wipe the glass and lid backing with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.
Remove dust from the cloth, dampen it with mild glass cleaner, and clean only the glass. Keep the backing dry and do not spray cleaner directly onto the glass. Close the lid, reconnect power, and turn the printer on.
Fix software problems that block maintenance printing
If software prevents maintenance pages from printing, use the HP app’s Diagnose & Fix tool. HP says it addresses queues, connectivity, the print spooler, and some Windows driver or port problems. Use it for those printing problems, rather than as a physical alignment adjustment, on compatible printers with Windows 10 version 1809 or later or macOS 12 or later.
Open the HP app, select your printer, and select Diagnose & Fix. Depending on the controls shown, use Printers > Diagnose & Fix or Diagnostics > Diagnose and Fix. Click Start, keep the app open, and follow the resulting repair instructions.
Replace a faulty cartridge or arrange service
For a depleted or defective cartridge on DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage 6100 and 6500, or ENVY 6100, 6100e, 6100r, 6500, and 6500e models, open cartridge access and wait for the carriage to stop. Remove the affected cartridge, unpack the correct replacement, and remove its plastic tape without touching the contacts or nozzles.
Slide the replacement into its slot and push upward until it snaps into place. Close cartridge access and complete the subsequent alignment prompt. Keep this insertion procedure limited to the listed models.
If alignment still fails, open the HP app, select your printer, then select Get help > Start Virtual Assistant, or select Contact us. Request replacement for an eligible faulty cartridge or arrange printer service for persistent alignment failure. Retain a defective print sample for service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you download HP Print and Scan Doctor for an alignment error?
Do not install it as an alignment fix. HP retired Print and Scan Doctor on May 27, 2025, and directs you to Diagnose & Fix in the HP app instead.
Why do older Mac instructions mention HP Utility?
HP Utility came with older compatible Mac full-feature driver installations. HP says those drivers with HP Utility have been unavailable for most consumer printers since 2020. If only the HP app is offered for your printer, use its compatible maintenance tools.
Which devices support the current HP app?
HP lists supported Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 devices, along with macOS, Android, and Apple mobile devices. Printer compatibility and available features vary, so the app’s alignment controls depend on your printer and platform.
What affects replacement cartridge choice and support eligibility?
Cartridge numbers vary by region for the listed DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage and ENVY models, so choose the correct replacement for your printer and region. HP support channels and faulty-cartridge replacement eligibility also vary by country and warranty.