Getting the Most Out of your HP Sprocket Printer
Getting the Most Out of your HP Sprocket Printer
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?
Check Your Battery Level
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
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
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
Why Is My Device Not Printing?
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?
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
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
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
Take photos with printing in mind
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
Clean the inside thoroughly
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
Autofix Feature
Level Adjustments
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
Quick Action Edits
Frames/Stickers
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
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
Crop/Rotate
Troubleshooting Issues
Clearing a Paper Jam
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 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.