HP DeskJet 3720 Manual — Setup, Troubleshooting & Cartridge Guide

The HP DeskJet 3720 is a compact all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home and small office use, offering printing, copying, and scanning capabilities. This guide covers complete setup instructions, wireless connectivity options, cartridge management, and comprehensive troubleshooting solutions to keep your printer running smoothly.

Color Inkjet Printer Print Speed: 8 ppm HP 123 (EU) / HP 63 (US) Cartridges
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1

Unpack and Position Printer

Remove the HP DeskJet 3720 from its packaging and place it on a flat, stable surface near a power outlet. Allow 10-15 cm of clearance on all sides for proper ventilation and paper loading access.

2

Load Paper and Install Cartridges

Raise the input tray, insert plain white paper with the print side facing up, and slide the paper-width guide to fit snugly. Install the HP 123 (EU) or HP 63 (US) black and tri-color cartridges into their respective slots, ensuring they click securely into place.

3

Install Printer Software

Insert the software CD or download the latest drivers from www.hp.com. Run the installation wizard for Windows or Mac OS X to set up the printer software, which enables access to print quality settings and maintenance tools.

4

Configure Connectivity

Connect via USB cable for immediate use, or press the Wireless button to enable wireless connectivity. The printer automatically enters Sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy.

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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.

router

Wireless Network Setup

Press the Wireless button on the control panel to enable wireless capabilities. The printer will search for available networks. Select your network name (SSID) and enter your wireless password. The Wireless light will indicate successful connection status.

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Wi-Fi Direct Connection

Press the Wi-Fi Direct button to connect mobile devices without a router. Your device will detect the printer's Wi-Fi Direct name. Enter the Wi-Fi Direct password when prompted to establish a direct connection for printing from smartphones and tablets.

Paper Jam or Feed Issuesexpand_more
Press the Cancel button to attempt automatic clearing. For manual clearing, pull paper gently from the affected tray (input, output, or cartridge access area). Ensure no foreign objects remain in the paper path. Adjust the paper-width guide to fit snugly against paper edges without bending them. Load only one paper type and size at a time. Do not overfill the input tray, and remove printed pages frequently from the output tray.
Cartridge or Ink Problemsexpand_more
If the Ink Alert light blinks, check that cartridges are fully inserted and plastic protective tape has been removed. Remove cartridges, verify tape removal, and reinsert securely. Clean gold-colored electrical contacts on both cartridge and printer with a dry, lint-free cloth. If error messages persist, try single cartridge mode with just one cartridge installed. Replace cartridges when print quality becomes unacceptable, not when low-ink warnings appear.
Printing Not Workingexpand_more
Verify the printer is powered on and paper is loaded in the input tray. Check for error messages on the printer software and follow onscreen instructions. Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable. Ensure the printer is not paused or offline by checking Windows Devices and Printers. Verify the printer is set as the default printer. Restart the print spooler service through Windows Services. Clear the print queue if jobs are stuck. Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility to diagnose connectivity issues automatically.
Poor Print Qualityexpand_more
Use original HP cartridges and verify paper type matches print settings in the software. Choose appropriate paper quality from the dropdown menu. Check estimated ink levels and replace cartridges if low. Align cartridges by opening printer software, clicking Maintain Your Printer, then Align Cartridges. Print a diagnostic page to check for streaks or missing color sections. If defects appear, clean cartridges through the printer toolbox without performing unnecessary cleanings that waste ink.
Wireless Connection Failingexpand_more
Press the Wireless button and Information button together to print a wireless network test report. Ensure your wireless router is powered on and within range of the printer. If the Wireless light is blinking with a Wireless Attention icon, move the printer closer to the router. Check that your network password is entered correctly. If using WPS push mode, ensure proper button timing. Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility to diagnose network connectivity issues and receive detailed troubleshooting steps.
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Important Safety Instructions

  • Always turn off the printer using the Power button and wait for the light to go out to protect cartridges from drying out
  • Keep cartridges in their original packaging and remove protective tape only when ready to install them
  • Replace cartridges when print quality becomes unacceptable, not when low-ink warnings first appear
  • Align cartridges regularly for optimal print quality, especially after replacing cartridges or if quality issues develop
  • Store specialty paper in resealable plastic bags on flat surfaces in cool, dry places to prevent curling
  • Allow the printer to enter Sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity and use Auto-Off feature to reduce energy consumption

The HP DeskJet 3720 printer uses genuine HP 123 (EU) / HP 63 (US) ink cartridges. Select your cartridge below to purchase replacement cartridges on Amazon:

Feature Specification
ModelHP DeskJet 3720 (3700 Series)
Printer TypeColor Inkjet All-in-One (Print, Copy, Scan)
Print SpeedUp to 8 ppm (black and color)
Cartridges RequiredHP 123 (EU) or HP 63 (US) - Black and Tri-color
ConnectivityUSB 2.0, Wireless 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Maximum Paper Size8.5 x 11 inches (216 x 279 mm) - Letter/A4
Input Tray Capacity100 sheets of plain paper
Power Requirements100-240V AC, 50-60 Hz
Sleep ModeAutomatic after 5 minutes of inactivity
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