black printing as grey or completely faded - blank box in quality report for black

[Buffy101]

Black and white printing coming up as faded grey or blank. 

Changed ink cartridges for new ones

Quality Diagnostic Report - blank Black box  (other colours fine)

Have cleaned printer head and aligned printer twice each

got a few black streaks in black box

no black lines appear for alignment test

Anyone know how/ if I can fix it?

[Raj1788]

@Buffy101

Try using a different ink cartridge, if the issue persists follow the below instructions.

I suggest you do a Hard Reset on the printer

(1) Turn the printer on, if it is not already on.

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

(3) With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

(4) Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

(5) Wait at least 60 seconds.

(6) Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

NOTE: HP recommends connecting the printer power cord directly to the wall outlet.

(7) Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

(8) Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.

The printer might go through a warm-up period. The printer lights might flash, and the carriage might move.

Wait until the warm-up period finishes and your printer is idle and silent before you proceed.

Then, refer to this document: https://support.hp.com/in-en/product/hp-photosmart-6520-e-all-in-one-printer-series/5169038/document... for Black Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues.

Clean ink cartridge and printhead contacts.

Wiping the ink cartridge and printhead contacts can resolve cartridge errors.

   CAUTION: 

Clean the ink cartridges one at a time. Do not leave an ink cartridge outside of the printer for more than 30 minutes. Leaving ink cartridge slots empty for extended periods might cause damage to the ink system.

1. Gather the following materials:

   • Cotton swabs

   • Distilled or bottled water

        CAUTION: 

     Do not use tap water, platen cleaners, or alcohol because they might contain contaminants that can damage the contacts.

2. Turn on the printer.

3. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the access area.

4. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

      WARNING: 

   You must disconnect the power cord before reaching inside the printer to avoid risk of injuries or electric shock.

5. Press the tab on the front of the cartridge in to release it, and then pull up on the cartridge to remove it from the slot.

   

6. Wipe the copper-colored electrical contacts on the bottom of the cartridge with a dampened swab until no debris remains on them.

      CAUTION: 

   Be careful to wipe only the contacts. Do not smear any ink or debris elsewhere on the cartridge.

   1. Cartridge contacts

7. Turn the cartridge on its side and place it onto a sheet of paper.

8. Wipe the four copper-colored electrical contacts in the cartridge slot with a dampened swab.

   

9. Slide the cartridge into its color-coded slot. Press down on the cartridge until it is firmly seated.

10. Repeat these steps to clean the other cartridge and slot contacts.

11. Close the cartridge access door.

12. Reconnect the power cord, and then turn on the printer.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

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Have a great day!

Cheers:)