• ×
    Information
    Windows update impacting certain printer icons and names. Microsoft is working on a solution.
    Click here to learn more
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Windows update impacting certain printer icons and names. Microsoft is working on a solution.
    Click here to learn more
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
The HP Community is where owners of HP products, like you, volunteer to help each other find solutions.
Common problems for INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER
We would like to share some of the most frequently asked questions about Instant Ink. Check out this link: HP INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER. .
HP Recommended
Photosmart 6520
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

It seems strange that all of the printers, whether instant ink or not, no longer print in black. I don't have a subscription and my printer stopped printing black on Friday, 23 August. There are multiple emails trying to figure out what to do after aligning printheads and cleaning printheads and using up all of their color ink.

The solutions provided don't work.
Was a corrupted file sent to all HP users that are using HP ink?
It just seems strange.
What do you think?

3 REPLIES 3
HP Recommended

The troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve black not printing on your Photosmart 6520.

 

If the standard troubleshooting did not resolve black not printing I would suggest removing the black cartridge.  Turn it over and examine the area around the ink port.  There are four orange plastic spots, left over from the protective cap.  Make sure these are flush with the cartridge body, if not carefully trim them flush.  If the plastic nubs protrude they can prevent the cartridge from seating properly.  Before replacing the cartridge in the printer dribble a few (maybe four) drops of hot water into the ink port in the printer and two drops into the ink port on the cartridge then snap the cartridge back in position.  

 

It may also help to manually clean the printhead as described in the post here.

 

I have also seen cases where leaving the printer overnight after the cleaning cycles allows black to recover.

 

If none of the above restores black printing your printer will likely require repair or replacement.


Bob Headrick,  HP Expert

I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.

If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button 

If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.


HP Recommended

Yes, I did all of that and wasted almost all of my full ink cartridges.  I swapped out a full black cartridge for another full black ink cartridge.

Thanks for the info, but it did not work.

HP Recommended

If you got through all the other steps without success you are at the "If none of the above restores black printing your printer will likely require repair or replacement" stage.


Bob Headrick,  HP Expert

I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.

If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button 

If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.


† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.