Photosmart C3180 Issues.

[derrynoose]

I use a HP C3180 copier-printer-scanner, or at least I did until a few days ago when it delivered copies with large patches unprinted. Subsequently, it produces no print even though both inks are topped up. It rolls sheets through and appears to make an attempt to print the last quarter page only, but with blank results. Time to scrap it?

[Lie-in King]

I don't know this printer but assume there is a facility for cleaning the print heads? If so, have you tried this?

Resetting a printer can often fix problems - turn it off, unplug it from the mains (this seems to be important for a lot of makes) for 15 minutes, reconnect the mains, turn on & try again.

If you don't have it already, perhaps the "HP Print and Scan Doctor" could help you (I can't vouch for it)- it's downloadable from here -

http://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02073861

If you're still having no luck, perhaps contact HP support? -

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/contact-hp/product/HP-Photosmart-C3100-All-in-One-Printer-series/1146511/model/1146512

HTH

[mikey4444]

I had a similar printer for 6 years, but had to replace it in January. The difficulty with this type of HP printer, is that the print heads become "clogged" and eventually no amount of print-head cleaning will suffice.

My old printer cost me about £60, 6 years ago, so £10 a year seems very reasonable indeed.

I bought the following new printer from Tesco :::

http://www.tesco.com/direct/hp-envy-5530-wireless-all-in-one-colour-thermal-printer/625-5260.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=625-5260

Ignore the "thermal" bit.....misprint from Tesco. It performs really well and you should be able to get one at your local Tesco Extra. Very neat looking and not half as heavy as the old one !

If this lasts as long as my old HP printer, than I shall be more than pleased ! Feel free to ask me any more questions derrynoose !

By the way, try the print head clean facility on yours, which may lengthen its like a bit, but eventually you will have to bite the bullet and replace it !

[derrynoose]

Thank you both. I wasn't aware that I could try cleaning the print heads. That will be my first job. I got the printer from someone who was upgrading a few years ago, so it owes me nothing, and if I have to replace it I am happy to do so. It may be an opportunity to go to a wifi option. Once again, thanks.

[mikey4444]

Only too glad to help derrynoose !

You may be successful in cleaning the print heads but you can't continue to do it over and over again. The print heads become clogged and to really clean them, they need to be taken out of the machine, and that is not practicable for a home user, nor cost-effective. These machines have a built-in obsolescence, otherwise HP would have gone out of business years ago !

The HP Envy 5530 is a fine machine, and its even cheaper than I paid a few weeks ago....£59 instead of £69 !

[mikey4444]

Methyl...very interesting !

(do the yanks use square saucers ?........I met one who put cream in her tea once ! )

Unfortunately, all this can be achieved by replacing the ink cartridge. My experience with the HP C3180 is that changing the cartridge is only going to work for so long. Printers are so cheap these days, that it just isn't worth it.

In 1996, I bought one of the first HP All-in-Ones, and it cost over £500. It weighed a ton as well. The Envy 5530 that I bought recently is a fraction of the cost and weight. If it lasts me another 5-6 years, the cost per annum would be negligible.