HP Photosmart C310 does not print black, even with new cartridge

[UglyElmo]

I would first try the easier method of using a Q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol on the black ink screen of the printhead.   Just a small amount is necessary to unclog the dried ink, which is the culprit in most cases.   Do not use a lot of isopropyl alcohol, since it might delaminate the print head, but putting a drop or two, won't harm it.  

Once you have put a drop on the black ink screen of the printer head, replace the cartridges, and then run the program to clean the printer head.  Once the printer finishes that task it will print out a test page, and if the problem isn't solved at that point, then repeat the isopropyl application again. 

*** The reason I do not recommend soaking the printhead in hot water for 10 minutes, is it will void your warranty, plus the above solution is much easier to try first, since you do not even have to remove the printhead from the printer.

Good luck and remember, to use small amounts of the isopropyl alcohol on the screen, and then run the HP clean head program and repeat.  If you use more than a small amount, you take a chance of delaminating the printhead. 

[beltrack]

Tried the "soak" method in hot water (Soak printer head in hot water for ten minutes to remove dried ink gunk). It took two "clean printerheads" procedures after that, but it worked! Thanks!

[tjosal]

Nothing mechanically wrong in my case.  The las time it stopped printing black (this has happened more than once), i did NOTHING. Just left it alone.

A couple days later it started working.  Incredibly frustrating.

[Joceeb]

HP Photosmart Premium c310 won't print black ink. I put in a brand new cartridge. I did a hard reset several times. I checked vented areas and all is ok. I soaked print cartridge in water for 10 min and a lot of gunk came off but STILL NO LUCK PRINTING BLACK. Anything else I can try. Thanks so much for anyones help! This printer is driving me competely crazy.

[Amber528Hew]

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@dcphill wrote:

Swapped black ink cartridge, still no black print.

How do I access the black print head to clean or check out?

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[Laurie3cats]

the soak method worked well for me, thanks!   Instead of running "clean cartridges" tool, which uses up a lot of every color, I made some black boxes in a word document and printed it twice, now the black is back. 

[MM1668]

It is printing grey, all other colors are bright

[Bob_Headrick]

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@MM1668 wrote:
It is printing grey, all other colors are bright

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The document here may help resolve black not printing on your Photosmart c310.  If the steps there do not resolve the issue then soaking the printhead as described in the post here may help.

[Duane_D]

Hi!

I have closed this thread to help keep the comments timely. If you have more to add, please start a new thread. Click here if you want to learn more about how to start a new conversation/thread.

 It may also be helpful if you posted a few more details about your computer/printer and your issues.

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