Black ink is printing sketchy and streaky

[landerso]

I have cleaned the cartridges and aligned print head, but black ink is still light, streaky, and sketchy.

[Echo_Lake]

@landerso

Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.
 

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, I appreciate your efforts to try and resolve the issue, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details:

• Does the copy print out the same way? 
• Have you tried printing from a different application or device? 

Examine the color blocks on the Print Quality Diagnostic page to make sure that the color blocks do not show white lines, and are not faded or missing.

If the color blocks do not show white lines, and are not faded or missing, skip to the step to check the alignment lines.

If any of the color blocks show white lines, are faded, or are missing completely, repeat the Clean the ink cartridges step.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[landerso]

I will try the copy print.  I will also try printing from my iPhone XS.  Only the black color blocks are faded/streaky.  These are no white lines.

I will keep you posted.

[Echo_Lake]

@landerso

Thank you for posting back. 
 

Also, try printing the Print Quality Diagnostic page. If you see no defects on the Print Quality Diagnostic page, the print mechanism and ink cartridges are working correctly.

Make sure that the image you are printing has a high enough resolution. Images that have been enlarged might appear fuzzy or blurry.
 

And, align the ink cartridges using the HP Smart app.

Load paper into the input tray.

Lift the scanner lid.

Place the alignment page with the print side down on the scanner glass, and then position it according to the engraved guides around the glass.

On the HP Smart Home page, select your printer or select Printer Settings.

Go to Tools and select Print Quality Tools.

Click Align Printheads.

Print another Print Quality Diagnostic page, and then examine the page.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[landerso]

I have tried printing photos from my iPad, and they do look better than the spreadsheet documents I was printing before from the same device.  I haven't tried the copy/print yet, or printing from my iPhone, but will try those next.

[Echo_Lake]

@landerso

Thank you for posting back. 

Work on it at your convenience and keep me posted on the results.