hooverjo,

Are you using Dell Series ink cartridges?

I suspect the ink cartridge may have overflowed and ink is on the printhead.

Try...

Cleaning the Printhead on Dell AIO V313w, V515w, V715w, P513w, and P713W Printers

and

Troubleshooting Printhead Problems on the Dell AIO V313w, V515w, V715w, P513w, and P713W Printers

The Printer Does Not Recognize the Ink Cartridge or Only Prints in One Color

Here is a Replacement Printhead if needed.

Rick

I was able to print two pages without an error, and then the artifacts started printing again.  I did all the maintenance steps you suggested without a solution.  I order new Dell print cartridges and will see if they work.

The printer head you referenced is a Lexmark.  I know the printer was made by Lexmark.  I assume, though, that Lexmark cartridges won't work in this printer. Correct?

hooverjo,

I think Lexmark programmed the printer to work with only Delll Series cartridges. The printhead is the closest thing we have. Dell wants the price of the printer for the printhead.

I was fortunate and got a replacement printhead when under warranty, and have not had any issues with the printer since, except... the children won't tell me when the printer is low on ink.

Rick

I replaced the ink cartridges with genuine Dell ink.  After several deep deep cleanings, the black and blue colors come out with lines and my documents look like they have been printed on a dot-matrix printer. Is the printhead suspect?

How do you remove the print head? I also have a V715w that is doing the same thing.

Dan,

Under Maintenance, you have to scroll down to second screen and click "Replace Printhead."

Rick,  for some reason, my printing has cleared up (overnight). I believe the good ink infused the printer head.

hooverjo,

My suspicions are the original printhead may have too much ink and needs cleaned. I replaced the printhead once and now it works flawlessly. I keep my printer covered 24/7 except for the exit tray. I also have mine in a place away from drafts and air ducts. Cleaning the printhead helsp and I only use Dell High Capicity cartridges, They cost a few dollars more but last a long time.

Dan Macdonald,

Try reading the instructions Cleaning the Printhead on Dell AIO V313w, V515w, V715w, P513w, and P713W Printers and it explains how to remove the prithead.

Rick

My Dell513w is doing the same thing. I have cleaned the head but the fault still keeps occurring. this is the second 513w we have purchased. great while it is working and the price is reasonable but not so reasonable when it goes wrong. If i am unable to resolve then i will not be buying another Dell printer.

VALROGER,

Did you try uninstalling the printer, then restart the computer.

Then install the printer?

This only happens when using Microsoft Word? If that does not work, you may have to reinstall Microsoft Word.

Rick

My Dell V715W all-in-one printer just start printing lightly shaded black boxes all over my documents. 

After cleaning, then deep cleaning, and aligning the printhead (my 2nd replacement) without any success, I finally replaced the Dell 24 cartridge and repeated the entire process. 

I finally got the shaded boxes to not print, but they still reappear between uses.