Black printer cartridge not printing even though showing full

[phil54321]

The black printer cartridge is not printing on my HP Deskjet 2810e. The colour cartridge is printing normally. Both cartridges are showing as nearly full. Have cleaned the printer cartridge and printer contacts. I have tried all the diagnostics but the printer alignment check continuously fails. I there anything else I can try?

[Garp_senchau]

@phil54321, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

It sounds like you've already tried some key troubleshooting steps, but since the black ink is still not printing, there are a few more things you can try before deciding to replace the cartridge or printer.

Check the Black Ink Cartridge

Even though the cartridge shows as nearly full, there could be a blockage or an issue with the cartridge itself. It might not be dispensing ink properly.

Print a test page directly from the printer (not from the computer) to see if it produces any black ink.

If there’s no black ink, try gently shaking the cartridge side to side (horizontally) to redistribute the ink inside. Sometimes, ink can settle in the cartridge.

Check the nozzles: Take a damp, lint-free cloth and carefully wipe the cartridge nozzles. Be gentle to avoid damaging them.

Check Printer Settings & Software

Print in black and white: Ensure that the print settings on your computer are not set to color-only mode, as this could be prioritizing the color cartridge over the black one.

Go to the printer properties in your printing software (on your computer), and make sure the "Print in Grayscale" option is set to "Black Ink Only" or "Black & White".

Printer Self-Cleaning Process

You mentioned cleaning the cartridges and contacts, but ensure you’ve also run the printer’s self-cleaning function.

Access the cleaning option via the printer's control panel or the HP Printer Software on your computer. Sometimes it requires multiple cleanings to clear a stubborn blockage in the printhead.

Alignment Check

Since the alignment check fails continuously, it could point to a deeper issue with the printhead or the printer itself. You might need to:

Reset the printer: Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.

Try running the alignment process again.

Try a New Cartridge

If nothing works, even after cleaning and resetting, the black ink cartridge might be faulty, even though it appears full.

Try a new black cartridge to see if that resolves the issue.

Update or Reinstall Drivers

Sometimes, an outdated or corrupt driver can cause printing issues. Ensure that you have the latest driver for your printer.

Go to the HP website to download the latest drivers for the HP DeskJet 2810e.

Check for Firmware Updates

Some printers have firmware updates that can resolve printing issues.

Check if there’s a firmware update available for your printer model via the HP Software or the HP Support website.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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