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HP DeskJet 3740 Manual — Setup, Troubleshooting & WiFi Guide

The HP DeskJet 3740 is a compact color inkjet printer designed for home and small office use, delivering reliable everyday printing at an affordable price. This guide covers setup, wireless connectivity, troubleshooting, and maintenance to help you get the most from your printer.

USB & Power Connection Color Inkjet Printer HP 65/65XL Cartridges
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Product Setup

1

Unbox and Position Printer

Remove all protective packaging and plastic tape from the printer. Place the DeskJet 3740 on a stable, level surface near a power outlet and your computer. Ensure adequate ventilation around the device.

2

Connect Power and Load Paper

Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet (not a surge protector). Press the Power button to turn on the printer. Load paper into the input tray, pushing it forward until you feel resistance, then adjust the paper guide firmly against the edge.

3

Install Print Cartridges

Open the printer cover and locate the cartridge slots. Install HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges (one black, one tri-color) by inserting them at an angle until they click into place. Remove the protective plastic tape from each cartridge before installation.

4

Connect USB Cable

Connect the USB cable directly to a USB port on your computer (avoid USB hubs to prevent printing conflicts). Install the printer driver from HP.com or use the included setup software. Your DeskJet 3740 is now ready to print.

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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 Connection Setup

Connect the printer directly to your computer via the included USB cable. This is the primary connection method for the DeskJet 3740 and provides stable, reliable communication with minimal setup complexity.

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Resolve USB Conflicts

If experiencing printing issues, attach the USB cable directly to your computer instead of a hub. Disable other USB devices when printing to avoid resource conflicts and ensure optimal printer performance.

Troubleshooting FAQ

Printer is Not Printingexpand_more
Verify that the printer is connected to power and turned on. Check that the print cartridges are correctly installed and the protective plastic tape has been removed. Ensure paper is loaded in the tray with the cover closed. If the Power light is flashing, see the error section. Connect the USB cable directly to your computer instead of a hub, and avoid using other USB devices during printing.
Paper Jamexpand_more
Remove paper from the tray and check for detached labels or debris. Remove the rear access door by pressing the handle to the right and pulling it out. Carefully remove any jammed paper from the back of the printer. Reattach the rear access door, reload paper, and reprint your document.
Print Quality is Poor - Streaks and Missing Linesexpand_more
Check ink levels in both the black and tri-color cartridges. If either cartridge is low, consider replacing it. Ensure the protective plastic tape has been removed from both cartridges. If tape remains, remove it. You may also need to clean the print cartridges through the printer settings or driver utilities.
Documents Print Slowlyexpand_more
Close unnecessary software applications running on your computer to free up resources. If printing photos or graphics, select a lower print quality setting. Complex documents naturally print slower than text. Ensure your printer driver is up-to-date by visiting HP.com/support. The printer also prints slower when operating in ink-backup mode (only one cartridge installed)—use two cartridges for optimal speed.
Power Light is Flashingexpand_more
A flashing Power light indicates a problem. The printer cover may be open—close it completely. The printer may be out of paper—load paper and click Continue. There may be a paper jam or cartridge issue—check for jams and verify both cartridges are properly installed. If an error message appears on your computer, read it carefully for specific guidance on resolving the issue.
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Important Safety Instructions

  • Use only HP 65 or HP 65XL genuine cartridges to ensure print quality and prevent damage
  • Keep the printer cover and rear access door closed when not in use to prevent dust accumulation
  • Load paper with the correct side facing down and slide the paper guide firmly against the edge
  • Clean print cartridges through your printer driver if you notice streaks or missing lines in prints
  • Recycle empty cartridges through HP's Planet Partners Program at hp.com/recycle for environmental responsibility

Replacement Ink Cartridges

The HP DeskJet 3740 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
Compatible CartridgesHP 65, HP 65XL (Black and Tri-Color)
Connection TypeUSB 2.0
Print TechnologyThermal Inkjet
Printer TypeColor Inkjet
Related ModelsHP DeskJet 3700, 3720, 3721, 3722, 3730
Power RequirementAC Outlet (Direct connection recommended, not surge protector)
Paper Input CapacityMinimum 10 sheets to avoid out-of-paper errors
Supported MediaPlain paper, photo paper, envelopes, labels (see reference guide for weights and sizes)
User Manual PDFHP DeskJet 3740 Series User Guide