How to Fix HP OfficeJet 4650 Not Printing?

The HP OfficeJet 4650 is a popular all-in-one printer designed to handle a variety of tasks such as printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing. It’s known for being a cost-effective solution for home offices and small businesses, offering versatile functionality and decent print quality. However, like any electronic device, it can sometimes encounter issues, such as not printing.

If your HP OfficeJet 4650 is not printing, it can be frustrating, especially when you have important documents to print. This article will guide you through the possible causes of this issue and provide you with step-by-step solutions to get your printer back to working condition.

What is the HP OfficeJet 4650?

The HP OfficeJet 4650 is a multifunctional printer designed to cater to both personal and small office needs. It is an inkjet printer, capable of printing documents, scanning images, copying important files, and even sending or receiving faxes.

Key features include:

• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Supports wireless printing from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
  
  

• Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): Allows you to copy, scan, or fax multiple pages without manually inserting each one.
  
  

• Mobile Printing: It supports mobile printing technologies such as Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and HP ePrint, allowing for printing from mobile devices.
  
  

• Affordable Ink: The printer uses HP’s affordable ink cartridges, offering a good balance between cost and print quality.
  
  

However, if your HP OfficeJet 4650 is not printing, it could be due to a number of factors that need troubleshooting.

Features and Benefits of the HP OfficeJet 4650

• Multifunctionality: It combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in one device, saving both space and cost.
  
  

• Wireless Printing: You can print documents from any device connected to the same network, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
  
  

• Energy Efficient: It’s designed to use energy efficiently, saving you on electricity costs.
  
  

• Compact Design: Its compact size makes it easy to fit into a small office space or home setup.
  
  

• User-Friendly Interface: The printer comes with a simple, easy-to-navigate control panel, making it convenient to operate.
  
  

Common Reasons for HP OfficeJet 4650 Not Printing

Before we dive into troubleshooting steps, let’s identify some of the potential causes that might be preventing your printer from printing:

1. Out of Ink or Low Ink Levels: One of the most common reasons for an HP OfficeJet 4650 not printing is that the printer is low on ink or the cartridges have run out.
   
   

2. Paper Jam: A paper jam inside the printer could prevent the printing process from working.
   
   

3. Connectivity Issues: If your printer is connected to a wireless network, poor or lost connectivity could be the cause of the issue.
   
   

4. Incorrect Printer Settings: Sometimes the issue may lie in the settings of the printer itself, such as selecting the wrong printer or print mode.
   
   

5. Driver Problems: If the drivers for your HP OfficeJet 4650 are outdated or corrupted, it can affect printing.
   
   

6. Printer Offline Status: The printer might be in an "offline" status due to various reasons, preventing it from communicating with the computer.
   
   

7. Faulty or Incorrectly Installed Cartridge: The cartridges might not be installed correctly or might be malfunctioning.
   
   

How to Fix HP OfficeJet 4650 Not Printing

Let’s walk through the troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue of your HP OfficeJet 4650 not printing.

1. Check Ink Levels and Replace Cartridges

Start by checking the ink levels. If the black or color cartridges are low or empty, replace them. Running out of ink is the most common reason for printing failure.

• Open the Ink Carriage and remove the ink cartridges from the printer.
  
  

• Check the ink levels using the HP Printer Software or from the printer’s control panel.
  
  

• Replace any low or empty cartridges with new ones.
  
  

2. Clear Paper Jams

If there is a paper jam inside the printer, it could cause the printer to stop printing. To resolve this:

• Open the front access panel of the printer to check for any paper jams.
  
  

• Carefully remove any stuck paper. Make sure there are no small pieces of paper left inside the printer.
  
  

• Check the output tray and any other areas where paper might have jammed.
  
  

Once you’ve cleared any paper jams, try printing again.

3. Check Printer Connections

If you’re printing wirelessly, ensure that the HP OfficeJet 4650 is properly connected to your Wi-Fi network. A loss of connection can prevent the printer from receiving print jobs.

• On your printer’s control panel, go to Network Settings to ensure the printer is connected to the right Wi-Fi network.
  
  

• If you’re using a USB connection, check that the cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer.
  
  

• Restart both the printer and the computer to refresh the connection.
  
  

4. Set the Printer to Online Status

Sometimes, the printer may show as "offline" on your computer, preventing print jobs from being processed. To fix this:

• On your Windows PC: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click on your HP OfficeJet 4650 and select See what’s printing. If it shows as offline, right-click again and select Use Printer Online.
  
  

• On macOS: Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and ensure it is set to Online.
  
  

5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause printing problems. You should make sure that you have the latest drivers installed for your HP OfficeJet 4650.

• On Windows: Go to Device Manager, find your HP printer, right-click on it, and select Update Driver. Alternatively, visit the HP website to download the latest drivers for your printer model.
  
  

• On macOS: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Remove Printer. Re-add the printer, and it should install the latest drivers automatically.
  
  

6. Print a Test Page

If you’re still facing issues, printing a test page can help diagnose the problem. It checks whether the issue lies with the printer hardware or the software.

• On the printer’s control panel, look for the option to Print a Test Page or Print a Self-Test Report.
  
  

• If the test page prints successfully, the issue may be with your computer’s print settings or software.
  
  

• If the test page doesn’t print, there may be a hardware issue with the printer, such as a malfunctioning printhead or faulty ink cartridges.
  
  

7. Reset the Printer to Factory Settings

As a last resort, performing a factory reset can help resolve persistent issues. Keep in mind that this will erase all settings and configurations, so you’ll need to set up the printer again afterward.

• On the printer's control panel, navigate to the Settings menu and find the option for Restore Factory Defaults or Reset.
  
  

• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
  
  

8. Test the Printer on Another Device

If your printer is connected to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi, try connecting it to another device. This will help determine if the problem is with the printer itself or with the computer’s settings.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Check for Software Conflicts: Antivirus software, firewalls, or third-party printing software can sometimes block the printing process. Try temporarily disabling such software and see if that resolves the issue.
  
  

• Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor: HP offers a diagnostic tool called HP Print and Scan Doctor (available for Windows users) that can help detect and fix printing issues.
  
  

• Ensure the Correct Printer is Selected: Sometimes the wrong printer is selected in the print dialog. Ensure your HP OfficeJet 4650 is the default printer.
  
  

Conclusion

The HP OfficeJet 4650 is an excellent all-in-one printer, but like any device, it can occasionally experience printing issues. Whether it’s an issue with the ink cartridges, paper jams, or software settings, the troubleshooting steps provided above should help you get your printer back up and running.

If the issue persists after following the troubleshooting steps, it may be necessary to contact a professional technician for further inspection or repair.

FAQ

1. Why is my HP OfficeJet 4650 not printing?

Common causes include low or empty ink cartridges, paper jams, wireless connectivity issues, or incorrect printer settings.

2. How can I check the ink levels on my HP OfficeJet 4650?

You can check ink levels via the printer’s control panel or using the HP Printer Software on your computer.

3. How do I clear a paper jam on my HP OfficeJet 4650?

Open the printer’s front access panel, remove any stuck paper, and ensure no small pieces remain inside.

4. How can I get my HP OfficeJet 4650 back online?

In Windows, go to Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and select Use Printer Online. On macOS, ensure the printer is set to Online in the Printers & Scanners settings.

5. What if my HP OfficeJet 4650 still isn't printing after troubleshooting?

If troubleshooting doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to update the printer drivers, perform a reset, or consult a technician for further assistance.