HP Photosmart 7520 Printer Problems

The HP Photosmart 7520 is a feature‑rich home photo all‑in‑one, but age, Wi‑Fi changes, and inkjet maintenance can lead to recurring problems. The good news is that most Photosmart 7520 issues—offline messages, slow printing, banding, paper feed errors, or scans that won’t start—can be resolved at home by working through a simple order of checks. This guide is organized from fastest fixes to deeper troubleshooting.

Start with Panel Errors and Basic Resets

If the 7520 display shows a specific message (paper jam, door open, ink problem, carriage stuck), clear that before touching your computer. Power the printer off, unplug for 30 seconds, plug back into a wall outlet, and restart. This basic power reset clears many transient “error state” or stuck‑startup situations.

Photosmart 7520 Showing Offline

Offline status usually means the printer’s IP changed or the driver is pointing to the wrong port.

• On the printer, print a Wireless Network Test or Network Configuration page and note the IP.
• On Windows, open Printer properties > Ports and select the port that matches that IP; uncheck Use Printer Offline.
• On macOS, remove and re‑add the printer or add it by IP if Bonjour fails.
• Reserve the printer’s IP in your router so it doesn’t change again.

Wi‑Fi Drops or Printer Not Found

The Photosmart 7520 uses 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi. If your router combines bands, the printer may drift or fail to reconnect. Open the wireless menu on the printer and run Wireless Setup Wizard to rejoin the correct SSID. Avoid guest networks with client isolation. If you use mesh Wi‑Fi, pair near the main node and keep the printer within strong signal range.

Driver or Software Problems

HP’s older Photosmart drivers can become corrupted after Windows/macOS updates. If printing options disappear or jobs won’t start, reinstall the full HP software suite or HP Smart.

On Windows: remove Photosmart 7520 entries from Printers & scanners, uninstall HP software from Apps, reboot, then install the latest package from HP. On macOS: delete the printer from Printers & Scanners, install HP Smart/Easy Start, and re‑add using the HP driver rather than AirPrint if possible.

Print Quality Issues (Streaks, Faded Text, Wrong Colors)

Print a Print Quality Diagnostic page. If lines are missing or colors look weak, run Clean Printhead from the Tools/Maintenance menu. Wait for cleaning to finish, then reprint the diagnostic. Run a second cleaning only if the first improved output. After cleaning, print two or three full pages to re‑prime the ink system.

Make sure any protective tape on new cartridges is removed and vents are open. The 7520 uses individual color tanks; a single empty or faulty color can affect photos. Use genuine HP inks or reputable compatibles to reduce chip‑read errors.

HP Photosmart 7520 Not Printing Black

If black text is missing but colors print, reseat the black cartridge and check ink level in HP software. Run a nozzle/printhead cleaning, then print a grayscale page to prime. Disable Draft/EconoMode in the driver. If black is still missing after two cleanings, replace the black cartridge; integrated printhead channels can fail when the cartridge is near end‑of‑life.

Paper Jams and Feed Problems

Turn the printer off, remove paper, and check the rear access area and duplex path for scraps. Pull jammed paper slowly in the direction of feed. Clean rollers with a lint‑free cloth lightly dampened with water. Reload fresh, dry paper and set tray guides snugly. Avoid mixing paper weights in the same tray; it causes skew and multi‑feed errors.

Scanning Won’t Start or Scanner Not Found

If scanning from the computer fails but printing works, the scan utility or firewall is usually to blame. Install HP Scan/HP Smart and ensure scan services are allowed through your firewall. Disable VPN temporarily. If the printer panel can’t find your computer for “Scan to Computer,” the devices are on different subnets or blocked by guest isolation.

For lines on scans, clean the flatbed glass and the thin ADF strip with a soft cloth. If ADF feeds multiple pages, clean rollers and reload within the guide marks.

Touchscreen or Button Lag

Slow or unresponsive touchscreens are common on older Photosmart units. A full power reset helps. If the screen still lags, update firmware via HP Smart or the printer’s web interface. Keep the printer on stable power; voltage dips can worsen UI freezes.

Firmware Updates

Use HP Smart or enter the printer’s IP address in a browser to open the Embedded Web Server. Check for firmware updates and apply them with the printer plugged into a wall outlet. Firmware can improve wireless reconnection and fix intermittent error‑state loops.

Long‑Term Reliability Tips

Reserve the printer IP, keep it on 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi, and print at least once a week to keep ink flowing. Store paper dry and flat. If you don’t print often, run a nozzle check monthly to prevent clogs from becoming serious printhead issues.

Quick Checklist

• Clear panel errors and do a power reset.
• Reconnect to Wi‑Fi and print a network test page for the IP.
• Fix driver ports and clear offline status; reserve the IP.
• Reinstall HP software if jobs stall or options are missing.
• Run printhead cleaning and diagnostics for streaks or missing colors.
• Clean rollers and paper path for jams or skewed feeds.

Working through these steps in order resolves the majority of HP Photosmart 7520 problems. If a specific hardware code keeps returning after cleanings and fresh cartridges, the printer may need a replacement printhead assembly or might be more economical to replace given its age.