How to Fix Printer Streaks: 7 Fixes for Lines & Stripes

Check your ink levels (1 minute)

Streaks are often just low ink. Open the HP Smart app and check estimated ink levels for every cartridge — including color. A printer can streak black text because a color cartridge is empty (many printers mix color ink into black). If any cartridge is low or empty, replace it before trying anything else.

Run the automated printhead cleaning (2 minutes)

Every HP DeskJet has a built-in cleaning cycle that forces ink through clogged nozzles:

1. Open the HP Smart app → your printer → Printer Settings (or Advanced Settings).
2. Go to Tools → Clean Printhead (may be called “Clean Cartridges”).
3. Run the cycle, then print a test page.

You can run this up to two times back-to-back. More than that wastes ink without helping — if two cycles don't fix it, move to manual cleaning (Fix 4).

Align the printheads (3 minutes)

Misaligned printheads cause streaky, blurry, or offset lines that look like streaks but aren't clogs:

1. HP Smart app → Tools → Align Printheads (or “Align Cartridges”).
2. The printer prints an alignment page — follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Print a test page to confirm.

Do this especially if streaks appeared right after you installed a new cartridge.

Manually clean the printhead (10 minutes)

For stubborn clogs the automated cycle can't clear:

1. Remove the affected cartridge and look at the printhead (the copper/gold strip on the bottom).
2. Dampen a lint-free cloth or coffee filter with distilled water (not tap water — minerals leave residue).
3. Gently wipe the printhead in one direction. Don't scrub.
4. Let it dry completely (5 minutes), reinstall, and print a test page.

Don't use paper towels (leave fibers), alcohol on most HP thermal printheads (can damage them), or cotton swabs (leave lint). Distilled water is the safe choice.

Match paper type to print settings (2 minutes)

A mismatch here causes banding that looks exactly like streaks:

1. In the print dialog, check Paper Type / Media matches what's actually loaded (Plain Paper vs Photo Paper matters enormously).
2. Set Print Quality to Best or High for important prints — “Draft” or “Fast” mode lays down less ink and streaks on photo paper.
3. If printing photos, use actual photo paper, not plain paper.

Update or reinstall the printer driver (5 minutes)

Corrupted drivers can send bad print data that shows up as repeating lines:

1. Remove the printer from Settings → Printers.
2. Download the latest driver from HP's official support site (search your exact model).
3. Reinstall and print a test page.

Replace the cartridge (the honest fix)

If you've done Fixes 1–6 and streaks persist, the cartridge itself is the problem — dried ink inside, a damaged printhead, or a third-party cartridge the printer can't regulate properly. Most DeskJet models use HP 67 (standard) or HP 67XL (high yield) cartridges.

HP 67 ink on Amazon · HP 67XL high-yield on Amazon — not sure which to buy? Read our HP 67 vs 67XL comparison.

A note on laser printers: if you have a laser printer with stripes, the cause is different — usually a dirty corona wire or a failing toner/drum unit, not ink. The fixes above are for inkjet printers (all HP DeskJets).