Officejet 4500 will not print black ink

[VZScott]

Our small office has had an Officejet 4500 for a few months now with no problems. Today it has ceased printing any black ink.

-I have changed the cartridge to be sure, though at no point has it said low ink. This fixed the problem for a few pages but the problem popped back up. I did align the cartridges after installing the new cartridge.

-I have tried cleaning the contacts on the cartridge itself.

-The scanning function still functions and color ink can be printed.

-Overall printing does seem slower, regardless of the black ink issue. Not sure if related.

-The all in one has been used more frequently in the past few weeks.

[LancasterJL]

I am experience the same problems on two printers. On my 4500, the black ink doesn't print. The cartridge is more than half full, the heads have been cleaned, the alignment completed. Also, I am experience the exact same issue on a Officejet 6500 with the magenta cartridge. In both cases, it was working...and then it wasn't.

The results are the same for copying and printing.

This seems too coincidental to be random.

Any insight will be appreciated. Otherwise, I like the printers a lot.

[Bob_Headrick]

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@LancasterJL wrote:

I am experience the same problems on two printers. On my 4500, the black ink doesn't print. The cartridge is more than half full, the heads have been cleaned, the alignment completed. Also, I am experience the exact same issue on a Officejet 6500 with the magenta cartridge. In both cases, it was working...and then it wasn't. [snip]

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For the Officejet 6500 you might try the soak procedure described here.

[AnnieT]

Has anyone figured out this problem yet?  My officejet 4500 just starting having this problem also.  The color prints out fine, but no blank ink comes out on the paper.  It is frustrating when the printer doesn't work properly. 

[TWILisAwesome]

I am having the same problem with the OfficeJet 4500.  I usually print 20 pages before the Black ink will no longer print.  I buy a new cartridge and it lasts for another 20 pages.  (With Fast Draft settings)However, im still on my starter ink with the color.  

When I go into the solution center to check the ink levels, it shows my color is halfway filled, but it has a question mark on the Black side, as if it can't detecst how much ink is left.  

Is this the life expectancy of HP 901 black ink cartridges, or is it a mechanical problem?

[luizapancoti]

HP Tech!! Can anyone know how to solve this problem!!! Help

[jacktebbs]

got exactly same problem this is annoying someone please help.

[f1sh]

HP support, this is unacceptable, how about an answer!!

[Bob_Headrick]

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@f1sh wrote:

HP support, this is unacceptable, how about an answer!!

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Please be aware that this forum is a peer to peer support forum, it is not a direct link to HP support.

[JohnNN]

Soaking a brand new ink cartridge does not seem a practical solution for me. The ink cartridges were fine but not printing in black we change to brand new HP ink cartridge this did not help but after a few restarts it started to work. after a week it stopped again.

Please explain why this is happening to these printers I have 4 hp 4500 all-in-one in jet printers doing this. All are brand new.

HP ink system is too expensive per yield to continue to switch or drain cartridges.