my black ink is smudged is it a faulty cartridge

[kd138]

My black ink is smudged is it the cartridge it is new HP cartridge i get with instant ink .

[sandytechy20]

@kd138

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that the black ink is smudged, I am glad to assist you.

Manually clean the area around the ink nozzles

Gather the following materials:

A clean, lint-free cloth or a clean, dry cotton swab

Distilled or bottled water

  CAUTION:Do not use tap water because it might contain contaminants that can damage the printhead.

Open the ink cartridge access door.

The carriage moves to the center of the printer.

Figure : Opening the ink cartridge access door

Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.

Lightly press down on one of the ink cartridges to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge toward you out of its slot.

Figure : Removing the ink cartridge

  CAUTION:Do not remove both ink cartridges at the same time. Remove and then clean each ink cartridge one at a time. Do not leave an ink cartridge outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.

Hold the ink cartridge by its sides.

Figure : Holding the ink cartridge by its sides

Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth or swab with bottled or distilled water.

Clean the face and edges around the ink nozzle with the cloth or swab.

  CAUTION:Do not clean the ink nozzle plate.

Nozzle plate - Do not clean

Area surrounding ink nozzle - Do clean

Ink cartridge contacts - Do not clean

Wait 10 minutes for the cleaned area to dry before you continue.

Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the contacts toward the printer, insert the ink cartridge into its slot, and then gently push the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.

Figure : Snapping the ink cartridge into place

Repeat these steps to clean around the nozzles on the other ink cartridge.

Close the ink cartridge access door.

Refer to this HP document for further assistance:- Click here

Keep me posted.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.