What Are the Causes of a Poor Quality HP Deskjet 3538?

Whether you use your HP Deskjet 3538 ink-jet printer for home or work, you want every printout to be of the highest quality. Monitoring the quality of every page is the best way to spot problems early, when they are easy and inexpensive to fix. A number of things can cause the quality of print on the HP 3538 to drop, so it is best to use a step-by-step approach to finding the problem.Clogged Ink CartridgeA clogged ink-jet is perhaps the most common cause of print quality problems with the Deskjet 3538. When those ink-jet cartridges become clogged, the amount of ink reaching the paper can vary, resulting in bare spots on the page, as well as spots and streaks on the paper. When the ink-jets are clogged, they can also wear out sooner, and that will cost you more money. The best way to clean the ink cartridges is to remove them from the printer and dip the metal connectors in a shallow pan of warm water. Then swab the bottom of the cartridges to remove any ink residue and paper dust. Allow the cartridges to dry completely before putting them back in the printer.Excessive Paper DustOne of the most common problems with the HP Deskjet 3538 is an accumulation of paper dust inside the unit. This is a particularly common problem for printer owners who use poor quality paper, but it can happen even with good paper. The best way to clean this buildup of paper dust is to open the top cover and use a small vacuum cleaner to remove the residue. The kind of vacuum cleaner used to clean computer components works best, but you can also use a small handheld vacuum with a small crevice tool.Print Cartridge CarriersEven if the print cartridges themselves are in good condition, dirty print cartridge carriers can cause a deterioration in print quality. Over time, small quantities of ink can leak out of the ink-jet cartridge and leave stains that can be transferred to the paper in the form of spots and streaks. Use a soft cloth to clean away that ink residue and improve the quality of the printouts. References HP Support: LaserJet 3538