Black ink only smudging

[DP-12]

Hi- I’m having issues with only the black ink in my printer smudging or skipping. Anyone know what may be the cause? I have already cleaned and realigned the printer cartridges 

[sandytechy20]

@DP-12

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that black ink smudges, I am glad to assist you.

Manually clean the area around the ink nozzles

1. Gather the following materials:

   • A clean, lint-free cloth or a clean, dry cotton swab

   • Distilled or bottled water

        CAUTION: 

     Do not use tap water as it might contain contaminants that can damage the printhead.

2. Lift the ink cartridge access door by using the recessed areas on the sides of the printer until it locks into place.

   The carriage moves slightly to the left.

3. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.

4. Lift up the lid on the ink cartridge slot, and then pull up on the ink cartridge to remove it from the slot.

5. 1. 

      Lift the lid

   2. Gently push the lid back

   3. Pull up on the ink cartridge

6. Remove the new ink cartridge from its package. Be careful to only touch the black plastic on the ink cartridge.

   

7. Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth or swab with bottled or distilled water.

8. Clean the face and edges around the ink nozzle with the cloth or swab.

9. 1. Nozzle plate - do not clean

   2. Area surrounding ink nozzle - clean

   3. Ink cartridge contacts - do not clean

10. Wait for the cleaned area to dry before you continue (approximately 10 minutes).

11. With the nozzles toward the printer, insert the ink cartridge into its slot until it snaps into place.

    NOTE: 

    Install the color ink cartridge on the left and the black ink cartridge on the right.

    

12. Close the lid on the ink cartridge slot to secure the ink cartridge into place.

13. Repeat these steps to clean around the nozzles on the other ink cartridge.

14. Close the ink cartridge access door.

Refer to this HP document for further assistance:- Click here

Keep me posted.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others

Cheers.