HP DeskJet 3730 Manual — Setup, Troubleshooting & Cartridge Guide

The HP DeskJet 3730 is a compact all-in-one color inkjet printer designed for everyday printing, copying, and scanning. This guide covers essential setup procedures, control panel features, wireless connectivity options, and comprehensive troubleshooting solutions to keep your printer running smoothly.

Color Inkjet Print Speed: 8 ppm HP 65/65XL Cartridges
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1

Load Paper and Media

Raise the input tray and insert your desired paper type (full-size, small, or envelopes) with the print side facing up. Slide the paper-width guide to align with your paper edge, then extend the output tray and lift the paper catch to prepare for printing.

2

Install HP 65/65XL Cartridges

Open the cartridge access door and wait for the carriage to center. Remove plastic tape from new cartridges, then slide them into their slots at a slight upward angle until they click securely into place. Close the access door to complete installation.

3

Configure Control Panel Settings

Use the control panel buttons to enable wireless connectivity, adjust paper size detection, and enable optional features like Quiet Mode. Press the Information button to print a configuration page verifying your setup is complete.

4

Install Printer Software

Download and install the HP printer software for your operating system. This enables advanced features like cartridge alignment, print quality diagnostics, and remote printer management through the embedded web server.

info

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

Wireless Network Connection

Press the Wireless button on the control panel to enable wireless capabilities. The Wireless light indicates connection status. For detailed setup, press both the Wireless and Information buttons to print a network configuration page with step-by-step instructions.

cloud_sync

Wi-Fi Direct Connection

Press the Wi-Fi Direct button to enable direct printing from mobile devices without a router. Your printer broadcasts its own Wi-Fi network. Connect your device directly to the printer's Wi-Fi name and enter the Wi-Fi Direct password when prompted.

Paper Jam in Input or Output Trayexpand_more
Press the Cancel button to attempt automatic clearing. If the jam persists, gently pull paper from the affected tray. Ensure no foreign objects remain in the paper path. For jams in the cartridge access area, turn off the printer, open the access door, and carefully remove obstructed paper. Always close the door before pressing Resume.
Low Ink or Cartridge Not Detectedexpand_more
Check the Ink Level icons on the control panel display. If an icon blinks with no segments and the Ink Alert light is on, remove the cartridge and verify the plastic protective tape has been removed. Clean the cartridge electrical contacts (gold-colored dots) with a dry, lint-free cloth. Reinsert the cartridge until it clicks, then close the access door. Replace cartridges with genuine HP 65 or 65XL when print quality becomes unacceptable.
Printer Not Printing or Offlineexpand_more
Verify the printer is powered on and paper is loaded in the input tray. Check your computer's print queue to ensure the printer is not paused or offline. If using a USB connection, disconnect and reconnect the cable. For wireless connections, confirm the Wireless light is on and showing a strong signal. Restart the print spooler service on your computer if the issue persists. Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility (Windows only) to diagnose connection problems automatically.
Poor Print Quality or Streaky Outputexpand_more
Verify you are using original HP cartridges and high-quality paper with the ColorLok logo. Check ink levels and replace cartridges if low. Use the printer software to align cartridges: open HP Utility (OS X) or the Printer Toolbox (Windows), then select the alignment option. Print a diagnostic page to inspect color and black output. If streaks or missing colors appear, clean the cartridges using the software maintenance options. Always allow cartridges to stay installed; removing them can cause drying.
Wireless Connection Dropping or Unavailableexpand_more
If the Wireless light is blinking with the Attention icon on, move the printer closer to your wireless router and ensure it is powered on. Press the Wireless button and Information button simultaneously to print a network test report for diagnostics. Check that your network password is correct and the printer is within range. If the light blinks fast for three seconds then turns off, wireless is disabled—contact your network administrator. For mobile devices, install a compatible HP printing app from the App Store or Google Play.
warning

Important Safety Instructions

  • Always turn off the printer using the Power button and wait for the light to turn off completely to protect cartridges from drying out
  • Keep cartridges in their original sealed packaging until ready to install; leaving tape on cartridges reduces evaporation and extends shelf life
  • Clean cartridge electrical contacts (small gold dots) with a dry, lint-free cloth if you receive cartridge error messages; avoid touching the contact area with your fingers
  • Remove printed papers from the output tray frequently to prevent paper jams and ensure the paper-width guide sits snugly against your loaded paper
  • Check estimated ink levels regularly using the control panel display or HP Utility; keep replacement HP 65/65XL cartridges available to avoid printing delays

The HP DeskJet 3730 printer uses genuine HP 65 / HP 65XL ink cartridges. Select your cartridge below to purchase replacement cartridges on Amazon:

Feature Specification
Cartridge TypesHP 65 (black and tri-color) or HP 65XL (high-capacity)
Print SpeedUp to 8 ppm (black and color, varies by document complexity)
Print Quality ModesDraft, Normal, Best; Quiet Mode available for reduced noise
Paper Sizes SupportedLetter, A4, small (photo), envelopes; automatic size detection
Input Tray CapacityUp to 60 sheets of standard paper
ConnectivityUSB 2.0 High-Speed and optional wireless 802.11b/g/n
Copy FeaturesColor and black-and-white copying with adjustable copy count
Scan CapabilityFlatbed scanner with automatic document feeder support
Power ManagementSleep mode after 5 minutes; Auto-Off after 2 hours of inactivity
Related Models3700, 3720, 3721, 3722, 3733