Fixes for HP Photosmart 5520 Printer Issues
The HP Photosmart 5520 is a solid all‑in‑one for home use, but like any inkjet it can run into recurring issues: “printer offline,” Wi‑Fi drops, streaky photos, missing black ink, or annoying paper jams. The fastest way to fix it is to go in a specific order—clear hardware problems first, then re‑establish the network, then repair the driver and queue, and finally handle printhead and paper maintenance. Use this guide as a practical checklist whenever the 5520 misbehaves.
1) Clear Any Panel Errors
Start at the printer itself. If the screen shows a jam, low‑ink warning, door open, or carriage error, clear that before doing anything else. The 5520 will not accept jobs while an error state is active. Turn the printer off, open the access door, remove any visible scraps of paper, reseat cartridges, then power it back on. Let it finish its startup cycle before sending a new job.
2) Reconnect the Photosmart 5520 to Wi‑Fi
Most “offline” or “not found” problems trace back to Wi‑Fi. On the touchscreen, tap the Wireless icon, open Settings, then select Wireless Setup Wizard. Choose your 2.4 GHz network (the 5520 is 2.4 GHz only), enter the password carefully, and wait for the connection confirmation. If your router combines 2.4 and 5 GHz under one SSID, temporarily split them and pair to the 2.4 GHz name.
3) Print a Wireless Test / Network Configuration Page
From the wireless menu, print a Wireless Network Test report. Confirm the status reads Connected and note the IP address. You will use that IP later to verify ports on your computer. If the report shows a failure, re‑enter the password, move the printer closer to the router, and retry. Avoid guest networks with client isolation.
4) Repair the Driver with HP Smart (Windows/macOS)
Install or open HP Smart, click Add Printer, and follow the prompts to re‑register the 5520. HP Smart can also push Wi‑Fi credentials if the printer is in setup mode. If the app cannot find the printer, connect a USB cable temporarily; HP Smart will send wireless settings over USB and then switch the device back to Wi‑Fi.
5) Fix “Offline” on Windows
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select the HP Photosmart 5520 and open the print queue. Cancel any stuck jobs. In the queue window, open the Printer menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline if it is selected. Then open Printer properties > Ports and confirm the chosen port matches the IP from your network page. If it points to an older IP, add a new Standard TCP/IP port and select it. Restart the Print Spooler service (or reboot) to refresh the queue.
6) Fix “Offline” on macOS
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove the Photosmart 5520 with the minus button, then click plus to re‑add. If Bonjour discovery does not show the printer, add by IP using the address from your network report, and select IPP as protocol. Choose the HP driver or HP Smart in the Use menu if available, because AirPrint alone may not include maintenance tools.
7) Restore Print Quality (Streaks, Banding, Faded Output)
If pages print but look wrong, run HP’s maintenance tools. In HP Smart or the printer menu, print a Print Quality Diagnostic. If black or colors are missing, run Clean Printhead. Wait for the cycle to finish, then print another diagnostic. Run a second cleaning only if the first one improves output. After cleaning, print two or three text‑heavy pages to prime the ink channels. Make sure any vent tape on new cartridges has been fully removed.
8) Fix “Not Printing Black” Specifically
For black ink failures, reseat the black cartridge and confirm the vent is open. Turn off draft or EconoMode in the driver. Print a full‑page black block to pull ink through after cleaning. If black still won’t print after two cleanings, replace the cartridge; in the 5520 the printhead is integrated into the cartridge, so a new cartridge often resolves persistent black issues.
9) Resolve Paper Jams and Feed Problems
Paper jams on the 5520 are usually caused by curled sheets, overloaded trays, or dusty rollers. Power off and remove the paper stack. Check the input tray and rear access for scraps. Pull any jammed sheet slowly in the direction of the feed. Clean rollers with a lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with water, then let them dry. Reload fresh, dry paper and set guides snugly—not tight.
10) Update Firmware
Open HP Smart or enter the printer’s IP address in a browser to reach the Embedded Web Server, then check for firmware updates. Firmware updates can improve wireless stability and fix odd error‑state behaviors. Don’t power off the printer during an update.
11) Stabilize the Connection Long‑Term
Reserve the printer’s IP in your router (DHCP reservation) so your computer’s port doesn’t break when the address changes. Keep the printer on the main 2.4 GHz network, not a guest SSID. Place the printer within strong signal range and avoid cabinets that weaken Wi‑Fi. Leave it in sleep mode instead of powering fully off so it stays discoverable.
Quick Checklist
- Clear panel errors and jams first.
- Reconnect to 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi and print a wireless test report.
- Use HP Smart to re‑add/repair the printer.
- Verify the correct IP/port and clear offline status on Windows/macOS.
- Run printhead cleaning and diagnostics for quality issues.
- Reserve IP and keep firmware updated for stability.
By working through these steps in order, most Photosmart 5520 issues can be fixed without replacing the printer. If problems persist after fresh cartridges, cleanings, and a stable IP, the printer may be nearing end of life—at that point, compare repair costs to replacement.