Black Cartridge Ink 61 defective, bought in July shows medium ink level but prints blank

[KrisKK84]

I've tried all the diagnostics suggested, wiped the printer heads on HP 61 Black ink cartiridge and Envy All In One printer. Took out cartridege wiped on paper towel no ink coming out, It looks to be empty although the HP Printer Assistant menu indicates above medium ink level for the 61 Black ink cartridge.  It's a genuine HP cartridge bought in July 2025 at local BiMart store.  I've had problems with defective cartridges in the past--quite frustrating for the price.

[Garp_senchau]

@KrisKK84, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

If your HP ENVY 4502 e-All-in-One Printer indicates that the black ink cartridge (HP 61) is above medium ink level but no ink is coming out, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue:

Check Ink Cartridge Installation:

• Ensure that the cartridge is seated properly in the slot. Remove the black ink cartridge and then reinsert it firmly into its slot.

Cartridge Cleaning:

• Restart the printer and initiate a printhead cleaning cycle through the printer menu, which may help unclog any blocked nozzles.

Inspect and Clean Contacts:

• Remove the cartridge and gently wipe the copper-colored contacts with a lint-free cloth moistened with distilled water. Also, clean the corresponding contacts inside the printer where the cartridge fits.

Perform a Printer Reset:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source for about a minute. Then plug it back in and turn the printer on. This can sometimes resolve minor glitches.

Inspect the Vent Area:

• Ensure the vent area on the cartridge (small hole on top of the cartridge) is clear of obstructions. Sometimes adhesive or packaging tape accidentally covers it, affecting ink flow.

Check the Cartridge’s Expiry Date:

• Verify that the cartridge is not expired. Even though it’s from a recent purchase, it’s worth checking as cartridges can sometimes sit on shelves for extended periods before sale.

Replacement Consideration:

• If none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the issue and the cartridge appears to be defective, consider purchasing a replacement. It's advisable to keep the receipt and packaging for warranty purposes, which might be helpful for a potential exchange.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,

[KrisKK84]

Thanks for your reply.  I took out the cartirdge and cleaned the contacts.  While doing so I disovered the cartridge (standard black 61)was bone dry as there was no residue of ink when swiped on a paper towel.  I did not have the original packaging to check the expiration date as I tossed it out when recycling the previous cartridge.

I needed to buy a new cartridge.  The price has gone up considerably and the store that I usually buy from is no longer selliing printer ink cartridges at all.

I ended up buying the cartridge at another store in town.  It may be time to purchase a new printer as this printer is now over 10 years old.  It still works but the price of cartridges is making it difficult to maintain!