Black does not prunt out

[MBIL2025]

Hi, my black cartridge is not printing, I have tried manual cleaning, HP SMART cleaning, alignment and everything recommended - still no black ink printing. Any ideas?

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @MBIL2025,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Thanks for sharing all the steps you’ve already taken — it sounds like you’ve done everything by the book. When your HP DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage 6475 prints in color but not black, even after cleaning and alignment, it’s frustrating, especially when you’ve already invested time trying to fix it. Let’s go a little deeper and see if it might help.

1. Check the Cartridge Vent (Clogged Vent = No Ink Flow)

Even if the ink is full, the vent at the top of the cartridge might be clogged with dried ink or adhesive residue.

• Take the black cartridge out.
• Locate the small vent hole on top (under the sticker with the color label).
• Gently clean the vent with a pin or a soft cloth. Do not puncture it, just ensure it's open.

2. Try a Hard Reset

This can sometimes force the printer to reinitialize the cartridges:

• With the printer on, unplug it from the wall.
• Wait 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.
• Retry printing.

3. Check for Ink Saturation on Test Page

If you print a print quality diagnostic page:

• Open HP Smart > Printer Settings > Reports > Print Quality Report.
• Look closely: is the black section missing or just faint?
  • If it’s faint or streaky, the nozzles may be blocked internally. Try deep cleaning a second time.
  • If completely blank, it’s likely a cartridge issue or printhead failure.

4. Try Swapping the Cartridge

If you have a spare black cartridge, even if it's older, try it:

• If the second cartridge prints black, the original cartridge is faulty, even if it’s new or shows as full.
• If no cartridge prints black, the printhead itself may be damaged, which often requires a printer replacement.

5. Check for Firmware Issues

Sometimes, a glitch can block a cartridge from functioning properly.

• Go to HP Smart app > Settings > Advanced Settings > Printer Updates
• Make sure the firmware is up to date

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, as it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support