• ×
    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
Experiencing 'Printer Blocked' or 'Printer Error' message? Click here for more information.
Check some of the most frequent questions about Instant Ink: HP INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER.


Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.
HP Recommended
Photosmart 5520

My Photosmart 5520 won't print in black. Colors fine, no black. I replaced the cartridge, ran diagnostics and printed test pattern. Letters at top do not print, the gray scale does, lines at bottom are very light.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

Remove the power cable from the printer.

There is a little mesh filter below the black cartridge on the printhead.
If ink dries in that mesh, then no ink will flow.
Clean it gently with a Q-tip moistened in hot water.
It may take a few tries to get the mesh filter unplugged. 
Do a 'clean' operation in between attempts. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark the post that solves your issue as "Accept as Solution".
I am a volunteer and do not work for HP.

View solution in original post

9 REPLIES 9
HP Recommended

Take a look at this HP support doc.

Run a cleaning cycle on the printhead.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark the post that solves your issue as "Accept as Solution".
I am a volunteer and do not work for HP.
HP Recommended

Did that. It printed the black when I ran the Print Quality Diagnostic. Printed the brackets on the printer status report but no letters. Blank pages when printing from Excel or Word.

HP Recommended

Search youtube on how to clean the printhead manually.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark the post that solves your issue as "Accept as Solution".
I am a volunteer and do not work for HP.
HP Recommended

Did that.  Quite dirty but did not solve problem.   Maybe reinstall driver?

HP Recommended

How does a copy printout look?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark the post that solves your issue as "Accept as Solution".
I am a volunteer and do not work for HP.
HP Recommended

Nothing printed.

HP Recommended

Blocked printhead.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark the post that solves your issue as "Accept as Solution".
I am a volunteer and do not work for HP.
HP Recommended

Any solution?  I see kits on-line but they all appear to be for Epsom printers.

HP Recommended

Remove the power cable from the printer.

There is a little mesh filter below the black cartridge on the printhead.
If ink dries in that mesh, then no ink will flow.
Clean it gently with a Q-tip moistened in hot water.
It may take a few tries to get the mesh filter unplugged. 
Do a 'clean' operation in between attempts. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please mark the post that solves your issue as "Accept as Solution".
I am a volunteer and do not work for HP.
† 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>.