OfficeJet J4540 Black Printing Blurred and Illegible

[Shelley399]

Up until yesterday, our printer was working fine. Today, it looks like anything printed in black looks like lots of small blurry squares rather than text. The color text/graphics look fine. Also, it won't even completely print a test page, it stops in the middle and the the screen says there's a problem with the black cartridge. This cartridge is not old and we don't print that often, so I know it's not low. Can someone help????

[--HJ--]

Hi Shelley399, you may want to perform some servicing. Normally you can do this by going to "Tools" in printer menu. You can try performing cleaning of printhead or alignment. I hope it helps.

[Shelley399]

I have done all the servicing options and nothing works!

[JRHenricksen]

I  am having similar problems with a j4540.  new cartridge, about 50% ink level.  I was printing a page and it started the same problem as described above.  The only message is black ink cartridge problem and the flashing orage exclamation mark.

I have tried cleaning the cartridge through the utilities and nothing happens with the printer.  It does not move the head, make any noise etc.   Printing a test page also results in no action by the printer.

New printer, very low use.