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Getting the Most Out of your HP Sprocket Printer
Getting the Most Out of your HP Sprocket Printer
Sharing printed photos is one of the simplest ways to let memories live on. From capturing the perfect shot to editing each detail and sharing the finished product with friends, each part of this creative process helps you stay in the moment and enjoy the experience a little bit more.
Unfortunately, tech issues and overwhelming menu options have a way of derailing this entire process. Whether it’s a connection issue, a printing problem, or not knowing how to edit your photos, the smallest snag is all it takes to break you out of your creative rhythm and turn an enjoyable afternoon into a frustrated frenzy.
Not to worry! In this article, we’ll outline some of the most common issues you many run into with your HP Sprocket as well provide some simple solutions and guidelines that will get you back to stress-free printing in no time.
Unfortunately, tech issues and overwhelming menu options have a way of derailing this entire process. Whether it’s a connection issue, a printing problem, or not knowing how to edit your photos, the smallest snag is all it takes to break you out of your creative rhythm and turn an enjoyable afternoon into a frustrated frenzy.
Not to worry! In this article, we’ll outline some of the most common issues you many run into with your HP Sprocket as well provide some simple solutions and guidelines that will get you back to stress-free printing in no time.
Why is My HP Sprocket Not Connecting?
Sometimes we prepare for incredibly complicated issues, but get completely thrown by simpler ones. One example is simply connecting to your printer. When an issue occurs on this first step, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Here are a few things to check when your printer and phone won’t connect.
Check Your Battery Level
While your printer should be able to connect even on low battery, a fully-charged battery helps your printer function at its best. If your Sprocket has less than 25% battery, it may become more difficult to connect to. Simply plug your Sprocket in to charge for about 30 minutes and then try connecting again.
If your battery is low, you may also be able to connect to your printer while it is charging. This will ensure that your printer has plenty of power while you attempt connection. If you need to print in a hurry and have a connection problem, try plugging it into the charger and trying to connect from your device.
If your battery is low, you may also be able to connect to your printer while it is charging. This will ensure that your printer has plenty of power while you attempt connection. If you need to print in a hurry and have a connection problem, try plugging it into the charger and trying to connect from your device.
Check Your Phone Settings
Your phone is constantly making all kinds of connections. From other Bluetooth devices to Wi-Fi networks to your wireless service provider, your phone is in constant communication with devices and networks that may disrupt your connection with your Sprocket.
If your Sprocket won’t connect with your iPhone, go into settings and open your Bluetooth menu. The more Bluetooth items your phone is connected to, the more likely it is that one of those devices is interfering with your connection to your Sprocket. Even devices you’ve previously connected can get in the way of connecting with your Sprocket. Disconnect other Bluetooth items like AirPods and speakers and try connecting again.
If your Sprocket won’t connect with your Android phone, go into your settings and check your location services. Make sure your location services are turned on to help you connect to your Sprocket. It is worth noting that your location services do not need to stay on all the time, only when you are trying to connect to your Sprocket.
If your Sprocket won’t connect with your iPhone, go into settings and open your Bluetooth menu. The more Bluetooth items your phone is connected to, the more likely it is that one of those devices is interfering with your connection to your Sprocket. Even devices you’ve previously connected can get in the way of connecting with your Sprocket. Disconnect other Bluetooth items like AirPods and speakers and try connecting again.
If your Sprocket won’t connect with your Android phone, go into your settings and check your location services. Make sure your location services are turned on to help you connect to your Sprocket. It is worth noting that your location services do not need to stay on all the time, only when you are trying to connect to your Sprocket.
Restart Your Sprocket & Phone
Most people don’t restart their mobile devices very often, and this can allow small problems to add up over time. By restarting your phone and your Sprocket, you may be able to shake your connection problem.
Locate the reset button on your Sprocket (a small button that you will need a paper clip to press) and press the button until your Sprocket turns off. After your devices have been restarted, try to set up your phone with your Sprocket again. Make sure not to hold this button down for too long to avoid performing a factory reset on your printer.
Locate the reset button on your Sprocket (a small button that you will need a paper clip to press) and press the button until your Sprocket turns off. After your devices have been restarted, try to set up your phone with your Sprocket again. Make sure not to hold this button down for too long to avoid performing a factory reset on your printer.
Resolving Printing Issues
With your Sprocket connected to your device, you may still encounter some issues with printing that keep you from the final picture you’re looking for. Many of these issues can be solved quite easily. Below are some common printing issues with simple resolutions.
Why Is My Device Not Printing?
If you cannot get your Sprocket to print, there are a few basic things to check that should resolve your issue.
First, make sure your phone and Sprocket are properly connected. Without a proper connection, your phone and Sprocket will not communicate with each other. Refer to the steps above for help connecting your Sprocket to your device.
Second, make sure the paper is loaded correctly. If the paper is not loaded into the tray properly, you will not be able to get your Sprocket to print. When you load paper into your Sprocket, make sure the paper is removed from the wrapper, it is placed into the printer with the HP logos facing down, and that the Print Quality Card is on the bottom of the paper stack.
Last, check for firmware updates. HP releases firmware updates regularly to provide you with the most secure, reliable printing experience. If your firmware needs to be updated, a prompt for the update will appear when you open the HP Sprocket app. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update. Please note that you will need at least 25% battery to update your firmware.
First, make sure your phone and Sprocket are properly connected. Without a proper connection, your phone and Sprocket will not communicate with each other. Refer to the steps above for help connecting your Sprocket to your device.
Second, make sure the paper is loaded correctly. If the paper is not loaded into the tray properly, you will not be able to get your Sprocket to print. When you load paper into your Sprocket, make sure the paper is removed from the wrapper, it is placed into the printer with the HP logos facing down, and that the Print Quality Card is on the bottom of the paper stack.
Last, check for firmware updates. HP releases firmware updates regularly to provide you with the most secure, reliable printing experience. If your firmware needs to be updated, a prompt for the update will appear when you open the HP Sprocket app. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update. Please note that you will need at least 25% battery to update your firmware.
Why Is My Sprocket Printing Blank Photos?
If your Sprocket printer is printing out blank photos, the most likely explanation is that the paper is not loaded properly in the printer. The paper may not be aligned properly, it may be upside-down, or it may be the wrong kind of paper for your Sprocket.
To resolve this issue, power off your Sprocket and remove the cover. Remove the paper from the printer and realign it in your Sprocket. Make sure that the side the image will print on is facing upward and that the Print Quality Card is at the bottom of the pile.
To resolve this issue, power off your Sprocket and remove the cover. Remove the paper from the printer and realign it in your Sprocket. Make sure that the side the image will print on is facing upward and that the Print Quality Card is at the bottom of the pile.
Getting the Best Print Quality
When people look at photos of sunsets, mountain views, or other natural wonders, they often use the phrase “this photo doesn’t do it justice”. We rely on photos to bring us back to our most cherished moments, and the higher a photo’s quality, the more likely it is to help you relive the joy of that moment.
Unfortunately, bad photo quality can completely tarnish your memory. When it comes to high-quality photo printing, there is rarely one issue that makes all the difference between good and bad photos. Instead, it is often an accumulation of small issues that impact your print. To get the best quality print, make sure to check each of the items listed below.
Unfortunately, bad photo quality can completely tarnish your memory. When it comes to high-quality photo printing, there is rarely one issue that makes all the difference between good and bad photos. Instead, it is often an accumulation of small issues that impact your print. To get the best quality print, make sure to check each of the items listed below.
Check your Photo Paper
Just as a great painting needs to start with a great canvas, so your photos need to start with quality photo paper. Your photo paper does not get ink added onto it, but instead undergoes a thermal reaction. Hence, keeping your photo paper in good condition is imperative.
To keep your photo paper in the best shape, follow these guidelines:
To keep your photo paper in the best shape, follow these guidelines:
- Store your photo paper is a dry place
- Do not expose your photo paper to extreme heat or cold
- Do not touch the side of the photo paper that the print will appear on
- Carefully load your paper into your Sprocket to avoid creases and wrinkles
Check for firmware updates
While skipping some firmware updates will prevent you from printing altogether, skipping other updates will simply reduce your printing quality. To ensure that you get the best quality from your Sprocket, always update your firmware as soon as you are able to. Running your printer on old firmware may prevent your phone from having the ideal connection with your Sprocket.
Take photos with printing in mind
No screen can ever perfectly reflect what a photo will look like once it is printed. That makes it even more important to think about printing while you are taking your photo.
1. Make sure you have sufficient lighting
Pictures are all about capturing lighting, and without sufficient lighting, your photo will not come out well. Make sure you are taking pictures in an area with sufficient lighting and make sure your picture does not have significant amounts of dark spots.
2. See how other prints turned out
If you have previously printed pictures taken on your phone, compare and contrast the way your print turned out and the way your photo looked on your phone. Comparing these images will help you see the differences between your phone screen and your printer. This will help you take pictures that work well with your printer and bring your desired vision to life.
3. Think about your photo size
Your phone has the ability to take pictures in a variety of dimensions. While taking photos, you may end up taking pictures that are not the aspect ratio of your photo paper. If you are not using the HP Sprocket app to take your pictures, make sure you are taking photos in the correct aspect ratio. This will make it easier to see how your prints will turn out.
Use high-quality images
If you are printing images from your camera roll or connected social media profiles, these images files may vary in quality. By using high-quality images, you give your Sprocket the most to work with. High-quality images will help prevent blurry images from printing. Check your images beforehand to make sure you are using the best image quality while you are printing.
Clean the inside thoroughly
Small bits of dirt and dust can get into various places of your printing path and make an impact on your prints, particularly if you are getting streaks and strips on your prints. Cleaning the inside of your Sprocket can go a long way in preventing poor print quality.
When cleaning your Sprocket, do not use water as this will damage the printer. A microfiber cloth or compressed air will help remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated. This can help prevent printing pink photos or pictures with lines on them.
When cleaning your Sprocket, do not use water as this will damage the printer. A microfiber cloth or compressed air will help remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated. This can help prevent printing pink photos or pictures with lines on them.
Using the Sprocket App
The HP Sprocket app has everything you need to take beautiful pictures and create stunning edits. As you work through editing your photos, you may struggle with understanding what each icon means as well as what that thing does to your photos. Here’s a quick guide for using the HP Sprocket editing tools as well as what value they add to your photos.
Autofix Feature
As you venture into photo editing, you may find the options to be overwhelming. The Autofix feature is an icon you can select to automatically edit your photo. This feature focuses on dealing with problematic areas of a photo and does not try to add a particular style to your images. For less tech-savvy users or printing in a hurry, the Autofix feature can be extremely helpful.
Level Adjustments
The level adjustment section allows you to adjust three settings in your photos: brightness, contrast, and saturation.
The brightness setting changes the overall brightness across your entire image. Brightness adjustments can make an image feel lighter and airier and can make images taken in dark places easier to print.
The contrast setting changes the distinction between the light and dark areas of your photo. Higher contrast creates a more pronounced distinction between light and dark while lower contrast blends the two more.
The saturation setting changes the intensity of color in a picture. The higher the saturation, the more intense the colors of a photo will appear. The lower the saturation, the more your photo will look like it is black and white. Saturation adjustments are very stylistic in nature, so play around with this setting to find your desired level.
The brightness setting changes the overall brightness across your entire image. Brightness adjustments can make an image feel lighter and airier and can make images taken in dark places easier to print.
The contrast setting changes the distinction between the light and dark areas of your photo. Higher contrast creates a more pronounced distinction between light and dark while lower contrast blends the two more.
The saturation setting changes the intensity of color in a picture. The higher the saturation, the more intense the colors of a photo will appear. The lower the saturation, the more your photo will look like it is black and white. Saturation adjustments are very stylistic in nature, so play around with this setting to find your desired level.
Filters
An easy way to stylize your photos is by adding filters. Our filters menu has a wide variety of options that can make photos feel warmer, cooler, brighter, or aged. Each filter will preview at the bottom of your screen. Simply tap on a filter to apply it to your photo. Once a filter is applied, you can still make level adjustments and add fun features like frames, stickers, and text.
Quick Action Edits
If you want to arrive at a beautiful print in one easy step, Quick Action Edits are for you. In a single touch, a Quick Action Edit will apply a series of edits, filters, and embellishments to your Sprocket photo. Like filters, simply scroll through the options and press them at the bottom of the screen to add the edits to your photo. These edits will not stack on top of each other, so as you press each option, a previously selected option will not interfere with your next selection.
Frames/Stickers
While these are two separate menu options, they each work in a very similar way. The frames menu will allow you to add borders that wrap around your image. At the bottom of the screen, you will get a preview of what the frame will look like. Simply tap on the frame to apply it to your image.
In a similar way, the stickers menu will give you a preview of various stickers options you can add to your photos. Stickers can be resized, mirrored, and rotated by simply dragging and pinching them on the screen. Stickers are a great way to add a bit of fun and style to any photo.
In a similar way, the stickers menu will give you a preview of various stickers options you can add to your photos. Stickers can be resized, mirrored, and rotated by simply dragging and pinching them on the screen. Stickers are a great way to add a bit of fun and style to any photo.
Text
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a few more words to your photos. The text menu makes it easy to add headings, captions, and any other text your photo needs.
When you open the text menu, your screen will darken and your keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen. Type out your desired text, then tap the check mark at the top-right corner of the screen to proceed.
Your text will now display on your photo. To move your text, simply drag it to your desired location and drag the corners of your text box to resize it. At the bottom of the screen, you will see options to select your font, text color, text background color, and text justification.
When you open the text menu, your screen will darken and your keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen. Type out your desired text, then tap the check mark at the top-right corner of the screen to proceed.
Your text will now display on your photo. To move your text, simply drag it to your desired location and drag the corners of your text box to resize it. At the bottom of the screen, you will see options to select your font, text color, text background color, and text justification.
Brush
Sometimes you want to draw attention to an element of your picture. The brush tool is perfect for doing just that. At the bottom of the screen, you can select your brush size, color, and add blur to the edges of your brush strokes. Simply use your finger to draw to your heart’s content to add an extra element to your photos.
Crop/Rotate
As you prepare to print your picture, the Crop/Rotate menu acts as something of a print preview. Here you can see your image with all your edits and get it ready for printing. You can change your image’s orientation, mirror it, or add rotation. This menu puts the final touch on your images before you print them.
Troubleshooting Issues
As you use your HP Sprocket, other issues are bound to come up. Here are a couple of issues you may encounter along with simple fixes that will help you get around these hurdles.
Clearing a Paper Jam
Your Sprocket printer was designed for simple use, and clearing a paper jam is one area where that simplicity creates an enjoyable user experience. Your Sprocket will alert you to a paper jam with a fast-blinking red light on the printer and an error message on your Sprocket app.
To clear a paper jam, begin by clearing the error message on the HP Sprocket app and powering off your printer. Remove the remaining paper from the Sprocket and gently pull out the paper that has jammed. With the jam removed, reload your printer with paper and close your Sprocket. Power on your Sprocket again and proceed with printing.
To clear a paper jam, begin by clearing the error message on the HP Sprocket app and powering off your printer. Remove the remaining paper from the Sprocket and gently pull out the paper that has jammed. With the jam removed, reload your printer with paper and close your Sprocket. Power on your Sprocket again and proceed with printing.
Why Is My Sprocket Not Charging?
If your HP Sprocket is not charging, the first thing to check is your cable. Make sure the cable works and the outlet you are using is producing power. You can check this by connecting a phone charger to that outlet and plugging your phone in.
If your cable and outlet are fine, reset the printer and try to charge your Sprocket again. If the problem persists, your Sprocket may be too warm. Either through use or through environmental factors, your Sprocket may heat up. Allow your Sprocket to cool down and then connect it to your charging cable again.
If your cable and outlet are fine, reset the printer and try to charge your Sprocket again. If the problem persists, your Sprocket may be too warm. Either through use or through environmental factors, your Sprocket may heat up. Allow your Sprocket to cool down and then connect it to your charging cable again.
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