Black ink not printing

[malmce]

So frustrated.

On instant ink and can't order more cos ink is full but black is not printing.

I've cleaned everything, restarted and have even bought more black ink in the shop and it's still not printing any black whatsoever. Impossible to contact HP apart from virtual assistant. Complete disaster - havent had a working printer for about a year now

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @malmce, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I get it, having a printer that refuses to print black can be a major hassle. Let's take a deep breath and dive in together, I’ll guide you through some steps that should get things back on track.

1. Check Ink Cartridge Installation

• Remove the black ink cartridge and reinstall it properly. Make sure it’s seated correctly in the printer. A loose or improperly installed cartridge can sometimes cause printing issues.

2. Perform a Printer Reset

• Unplug the printer from the power source for about 30 seconds.
• Reconnect the power and turn the printer back on. This simple reset can sometimes resolve temporary issues.

3. Check for Ink Smears or Clogs

• Even if you've cleaned the printer, it's important to do a thorough cleaning cycle specifically for the printhead.
• Open the printer software (either via the HP Smart app or on your computer) and perform a printhead cleaning through the maintenance options.

4. Run Printer Diagnostics

• Open HP Smart or use HP Print and Scan Doctor (available for download from HP’s website).
• Run a diagnostic to identify any underlying issues with the printhead, cartridges, or other components.

5. Check Cartridge for Protective Tape

• If you just replaced the black ink cartridge, ensure that the protective plastic tape covering the cartridge’s ink nozzles has been removed. If not, remove it carefully.

6. Check the Ink Levels on HP Instant Ink

• Log in to your HP Instant Ink account and check the ink levels.
• Sometimes, the system might not reflect actual ink levels accurately. Make sure that the printer is showing the correct status of ink in the Instant Ink dashboard.

7. Try Printing a Test Page

• Print a test page to check if only black ink is failing or if it’s a general issue with printing.
• You can do this from the printer’s control panel or through the printer settings on your computer.

8. Check for Firmware or Software Updates

• Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer, as these updates can sometimes fix bugs related to ink and printing issues.
• Update your HP Smart app or the printer software to ensure you have the latest version.

9. Use a Different Paper Type

• Sometimes, issues with specific paper types can also cause printing problems. Try printing on a different type of paper to rule this out.

I’m confident we’ll get your printer up and running smoothly again! Don’t hesitate to reach out if things aren’t working after trying the steps, I’m here to help, together, we’ll get it printing perfectly once more! 💪

Hope I was able to make things easier for you! 😊

If this solved your issue, go ahead and mark it as "Accepted Solution" and hit "Yes"—your feedback keeps us going and helps others too! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day! 🚀

Best regards,

[malmce]

thanks for the reply.

None of these solutions work. It's almost as if it's not even trying to prink black ink - no smears or anything and the ink is brand new... but drivers etc are all up to date.

How do I get HP to fix this?

[malmce]

Also, HP support options are impossible - there is no option to even send an email to register a complaint and claim.