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HP DeskJet 2135 Manual — Setup, Troubleshooting & Ink Guide

The HP DeskJet 2135 is an affordable all-in-one inkjet printer capable of printing, scanning, and copying from a single compact unit. It uses HP 65 and HP 65XL ink cartridges and connects to your computer via USB for reliable everyday document and photo output. This page covers setup instructions, status light meanings, paper loading, ink cartridge maintenance, and troubleshooting guidance drawn directly from the official HP manual.

USB 2.0 Connectivity Color Inkjet All-in-One Print, Scan & Copy
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Product Setup

1

Unbox and Power On

Remove all packaging materials and tape from the printer, including any tape covering the ink cartridge access door. Place the printer on a flat, stable surface and connect the power cord to a functioning outlet, then press the Power button to turn the printer on.

2

Install the Ink Cartridges

Open the cartridge access door and wait for the print carriage to move to the center. Insert the HP 65 tri-color cartridge into the left slot and the HP 65 black cartridge into the right slot, matching the color-coded icons. Press each cartridge firmly until it snaps securely into place, then close the access door.

3

Load Paper and Connect via USB

Raise the input tray, slide the paper-width guide to the left, and insert a stack of plain white paper print-side up until it stops. Lower the output tray and extend the tray extender. Then connect the USB cable from the printer's rear USB 2.0 port to your computer — do not connect the cable until prompted during software installation.

4

Install HP Printer Software

Insert the included software CD or download the latest HP DeskJet 2135 driver from hp.com/support and follow the on-screen installation instructions. On Windows, you can also open the printer software by navigating to Start > All Programs > HP and selecting the printer name. Once installed, print an alignment page to calibrate your ink cartridges for optimal print quality.

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Pro-Tip: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

WiFi Connection Guide

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USB Cable Connection

The HP DeskJet 2135 connects to your computer using a rear USB 2.0 High Speed port. HP recommends using a USB cable no longer than 3 metres (10 feet) to minimise signal interference. During software installation, select 'USB' on the Connection Options screen when prompted before plugging in the cable.

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No Wireless — USB Only

The HP DeskJet 2135 does not support wireless or Wi-Fi connectivity. It is designed exclusively for direct USB connection to a single computer. If you require wireless printing, consider upgrading to the HP DeskJet 2632 or another HP model with built-in Wi-Fi capability.

Troubleshooting FAQ

Printer Won't Print — Power Light Blinking Fastexpand_more
A fast-blinking Power button light indicates the printer is in an error state. First, check that the cartridge access door is fully closed. If it is closed and the light continues to blink fast, check your computer screen for any on-screen error messages from the HP printer software. If no messages appear, try sending a print job to generate one. You can also try turning the printer off, unplugging the power cord for one minute, then plugging it back in and turning it on again.
Paper Jam — How to Clearexpand_more
Press the Cancel button to attempt an automatic jam clear. If unsuccessful, check the input tray by gently pulling the paper out, and then press Resume to continue. For jams in the output tray, pull the paper out gently and press Resume. For jams in the cartridge access area, power off the printer, open the access door, slide the carriage to the right, remove the jammed paper, then close the door and power on. For internal jams, turn the printer over, open the cleanout door on the bottom, remove the paper, close the door until both latches snap in, then turn the printer right-side up and power on.
Ink Alert Light On — Cartridge Problemexpand_more
If one Ink Alert light is solid, the corresponding HP 65 cartridge may be missing, improperly installed, or low on ink. Remove the cartridge, check that all plastic tape has been removed, and firmly reinsert it until it clicks. If both Ink Alert lights are blinking, both cartridges may be missing, have tape still on them, or be incompatible or damaged. Make sure you are using genuine HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges in the correct slots. If a light blinks after reinstalling, replace the cartridge. The printer can continue operating in single-cartridge mode if only one cartridge is installed.
Poor Print Quality — Streaks or Faded Outputexpand_more
Start by checking estimated ink levels in the HP printer software and replace low cartridges if needed. Make sure you are using original HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges. In the printer software, go to Print & Scan > Maintain Your Printer and run 'Align Ink Cartridges' to print and scan an alignment page. If streaks persist, print a diagnostics page from the Device Reports tab. If the colour or black boxes show streaks or gaps, click 'Clean Ink Cartridges' from the Device Services tab. Avoid cleaning more than necessary as it uses ink. For photo printing, always use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.
All Lights Blinking — Printer in Error Stateexpand_more
If the Resume light, Power button light, and both Ink Alert lights are all blinking simultaneously, the scanner may not be working or the printer is in a general error state. To reset: turn the printer off, unplug the power cord, wait one full minute, plug the power cord back in, and turn the printer on. Note that the printer can still print even if the scanner is not functioning. If the problem persists after a full reset, contact HP support at hp.com/support with your printer serial number ready.
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Important Safety Instructions

  • Always turn the HP DeskJet 2135 off using the Power button and wait for the light to go out before unplugging — this prevents the HP 65 cartridges from drying out.
  • Do not open or remove tape from replacement HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges until you are ready to install them, as exposure to air accelerates ink evaporation.
  • If you remove a cartridge for any reason, reinstall it within 30 minutes — leaving cartridges outside the printer longer than this can damage the printhead.
  • Align ink cartridges after every replacement by using the 'Align Ink Cartridges' tool in the HP printer software under Print & Scan > Maintain Your Printer to ensure the best possible print quality.

Replacement Ink Cartridges

The HP DeskJet 2135 printer uses genuine HP 65 / HP 65XL ink cartridges. Select your cartridge below to purchase replacement cartridges on Amazon:

shopping_cart Buy HP 65 on Amazon shopping_cart Buy HP 65XL on Amazon

Technical Specifications

Feature Specification
Printer ModelHP DeskJet 2135 All-in-One
FunctionsPrint, Scan, Copy
Ink CartridgesHP 65 (standard), HP 65XL (high yield) — Black and Tri-Color
ConnectivityUSB 2.0 High Speed (cable up to 3m / 10ft recommended); no wireless
Print SpeedVaries by document complexity; speeds consistent with HP DeskJet 2130 series
Sleep ModeActivates automatically after 5 minutes of inactivity; Power light dims
Auto-OffTurns printer off after 2 hours of inactivity when no network connection is active
Scanner TypeFlatbed scanner with scanner glass; load originals print-side down at right corner
Supported MediaPlain paper, photo paper (4x6, 5x7, 8.5x11, A4), envelopes; ColorLok recommended
Related ModelsHP DeskJet 2100, 2130, 2131, 2132, 2134