Black printinig faded.

[Dominic26]

My OfficeJet Pro 6968 is printing faded blacks (sepia like).  When I clean the print heads it shows perfect blacks.  I pulled the cartridges and have found globs of ink down on the right side.  I am cleaning the printhaeds as we speak.  This printer was cheap enough when I bought it so paying to fix it is NOT AN OPTION!  Do not suggest.  What is the best way to get the ink out of the printer?  If I break it, it's no great loss.  this is an absolute DIY project.

[Dominic26]

Well I found the problem.  The cyan print head is completely blocked.  I tried printing a page with green and it was all yellow. and cyan just does not show on the on the diagnostic page.  After cleaning the heads with a commercial solution and then using the third level clean function on the printer, i now get a tiny bit of blue on the diagnostic page.

I am now realizing there is extreme pressure when I try to inject cleaning solution into the the cyan head.  It flow easy through the magenta, yellow and black.  It will take time but I am confident I can unblock it.

[sandytechy20]

@Dominic26

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting print quality issues, follow these steps to the issue.

Make sure the ink cartridges are properly vented and seated correctly

1. Turn on the printer, if it is not already turned on.

2. Open the ink cartridge access door.

   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.

   

3. Wait until the carriage stops moving before you continue.

4. Press the tab inward on the front of the old ink cartridge to release it, and then pull up on the ink cartridge to remove it from the slot.

   

5. Examine the vent area above the HP logo on the top of the ink cartridge.

   

6. If the ink cartridge still has the orange pull-tab attached, pull to remove it.

   

7. If the vent is clogged, use a straight pin to gently remove excess adhesive from the vent.

8. 1. 

      Clogged vent

   2. With a straight pin, gently remove excess adhesive from the vent

   3. Unclogged vent

9. Turn the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge contacts face downward, and then match the label color with the color dot on the carriage.

10. Slide the ink cartridge into its slot, and then gently press the ink cartridge down until it snaps into place.

    

11. Repeat these steps to inspect the vents on each of the ink cartridges.

12. Make sure each ink cartridge is firmly installed in its slot. Run your finger along the top of the ink cartridges to feel for any that are protruding, and if any are, press down firmly until each ink cartridge snaps into place.

13. Close the ink cartridge access door.

    

Try to print. 

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

Let me know how it goes.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.