Photosmart Premium c309a Black prints out green on photo paper / CDs

[Derren]

Got a Photosmart Premium c309a.  Bought in early 2009.  When I print to normal paper, photos print fine but when I print to photo paper, all the blacks print with a green tint.  This is regardless of whether I tell it I'm printing on photo paper or not. When I print to CDs, blacks print blue.  

I have successfully printed on both media previously but recently had this problem.  Colours gradually got worse recently before getting to this stage.

I'm using Windows 7.  Updated the drivers and software but still no joy.  Downloaded latest driver / software for my Mac but same thing for both photos and CDs.

I've done about 5 print head cleans via the HP Toolbox, and replaced the black ink cartridges (both the black and Photo Black).  Currently have over half full for each black cartridge.  Other colours aren't empty yet either.   Also tried rinsing the printhead with water after removing it. 

I've done a diagnostics page.  The Photo Black bar isn't printed at all.  However, further down the page, the photo black ink level indicator prints okay (assuming that's actually using photo black).

Everything else prints fine so I can print documents and pictures so long as it's not on photo paper or CDs.  I bought the printer mainly for the CD printing capabilities.  

Is this weird colour problem a fault with the printhead?  Would replacing it resolve this (anyone tried?)?  A replacement would set me back £26 so wanted to ask first.

Thanks.

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

I would try the following:  get a pan and put 1/2" of very hot (not boiling) water in the bottom.  Next remove all the ink cartridges, then remove the printhead assembly.  Gently put the printhead nozzles down in the water and let it soak for five minutes.  Remove the printhead from the water and gently dry the electrical contacts.  Put the printhead back in the printer and then reinstall the ink cartridges.

[Derren]

Hi

Just like to say thanks.  This has fixed the problem.

[tiggerny68]

Thank you for helping with this! I was so close to buying a new printer

[Lindalee622]

How in the world do I remove the printhead from a 6280 printer?

[Bob_Headrick]

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Lindalee622 wrote:

How in the world do I remove the printhead from a 6280 printer?

The Photosmart C6280 is an entirely different design than the Photosmart c309a being discussed in this thread.  The C6280 has a permanant printhead that is not removable.  The page here may help debug print quality issues for the C6280.

[estyblonde]

won't it ruin the printert?

[estyblonde]

won't it ruin the printert?