Air in black ink pipes HP Smart Tank Plus 555

[Redmond25]

There is air in my black ink pipes such that the black ink isn’t printing. I’ve done all the maintenance tricks: ran cleaning, alignment and maintenance programmes countless times online, taken cartridges in and out inspected and cleaned them, and the air isn’t budging and black ink isn’t flowing. What else can I do? Or am I entitled to a refund or replacement? I’ve not had the printer for even two years, possibly less than one (I’d have to check the receipt). 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Redmond25 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds frustrating to deal with an issue like air in the ink lines, especially when you've already tried the standard maintenance steps. The air in the ink pipes of your HP Smart Tank Plus 555 is likely preventing the ink from flowing properly, and this can occur for a few reasons. Let's explore some additional steps you can take, along with the potential for a refund or replacement.

Steps to Resolve the Air in the Ink Lines

Here are a few troubleshooting techniques that might help you get rid of the air in the black ink pipes:

Power Cycle and Reset

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source for at least 5-10 minutes.
• While it’s unplugged, press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
• Plug the printer back in and turn it on. This can sometimes help clear any air bubbles or reset the ink flow.

Manual Ink Tube Priming (Advanced)

• Note: Be careful when attempting this, as it involves handling the ink tubes. If you're uncomfortable doing this yourself, it may be better to have a professional or HP technician assist you.
• Remove the ink cartridges, and inspect the ink lines closely. You might notice the air pocket.
• You can gently squeeze or massage the tubes leading to the black ink cartridge to encourage the ink to move forward, pushing the air out of the lines.
• Some people find that gently tapping the side of the printer can help encourage ink flow, but be cautious not to damage the ink lines or other components.

Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor

• This free tool is available from HP's support site and can help diagnose and resolve printing issues. It includes an option for Fixing Printer Ink Flow.
• Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP's official site (for Windows or macOS).
• It will attempt to detect and fix issues related to ink, including air bubbles in the ink lines.

Check the Ink Reservoir for Blockages

• If you notice that the ink reservoirs (where ink is stored before entering the lines) are low or have any dried ink buildup, this might be preventing ink from flowing.
• Clean the reservoirs carefully if any dried ink or debris is visible, following the manual's instructions for cleaning these parts.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support