Black not printing on my HP Deskjet 3952A printer

[DavidDaub]

HP Deskjet 3052A stopped printing black ink, even after inserting a new black cartridge!

Printer no longer prints out black ink. Installed a new black cartridge even though it did not

show black was empty. But neither black nor blue printed on new alignment page. Tried

doing clean print heads routine but... NO luck! still not printing black or blue... Color cartridge

status shows about 1/3 full. Any known causes I have not tried? Or is it time to replace printer?

[zoey7886]

@DavidDaub, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding HP DeskJet 3052A! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

It sounds like your HP Deskjet 3052A is experiencing a common issue where black ink doesn’t print even with a new cartridge. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try before considering a replacement:

1. Check Cartridge Compatibility & Installation

• Ensure you are using a genuine HP 61 Black ink cartridge.
• Remove and reinstall the cartridge properly.
• Check for protective tape—make sure it’s removed from the new cartridge.

2. Perform a Hard Reset

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for about 5 minutes.
• Plug it back in and turn it on to see if it resets the issue.

3. Run a Deep Cleaning Cycle

• Use your printer's built-in "Deep Clean Printhead" option (found in Printer Settings or HP Utility on a computer).

4. Manually Clean the Printhead

• Remove the ink cartridges.
• Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water and gently wipe the copper contacts on the cartridges and inside the printer.
• Let it dry completely before reinserting.

5. Check the Vent on the Cartridge

• If the cartridge’s vent is clogged, ink may not flow. Use a pin to gently clear any obstruction.

6. Try Printing a Diagnostic Page

• Print a Test Page or Print Quality Report from the printer settings.
• If black is missing, the printhead may be clogged.

7. Align the Printer Again

• Go to Printer Maintenance > Align Printhead and follow the instructions.

8. Check for Firmware Updates

• Visit HP website and update the printer firmware if available.  

Let me know if it helps!

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[Akhi_H]

Hope you're having an amazing day! We wanted to follow up on the technical issue we tackled earlier. Are you all set and issue-free? 

If you encounter any more hiccups or have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help and support you every step of the way! 

We'll be archiving this case, but feel free to respond to this thread anytime to continue the conversation. 

If our solution hit the spot, please click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left as that would make our day! 

Take care, and have an incredible day ahead! 

Regards, 

Akhi_H