Cyan colour not printing

[RobbieDL]

Cyan ink not printing. Tank is half full. I have tried all suggested options from support pages, plus other options from Youtube. I appears as if there is air in all the pipes, but it doesn't prevent the other inks from printing! One of the suggestions from the support page is around 'charging' the ink system to ensure ink is flowing between tanks and print head, but this is not an option available to me from either the printer menu nor the HP Smart App, for my printer!  Can I get to this 'charging' option some other way, or is there an alternative solution to this issue?

Thanks

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @RobbieDL,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If the cyan ink isn't printing and appears to have air bubbles in the ink lines, but you're unable to access the ink "charging" option via the printer menu or HP Smart App, there are a few alternative solutions to consider.

Perform a Manual Priming of the Ink System

You may be able to manually draw ink into the lines to eliminate air bubbles:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Open the ink tank cover.
• Locate the cyan ink line (the tube leading from the tank to the printhead).
• Using a syringe (available at most hardware or pharmacy stores), attach it to the cyan ink line and gently pull ink through the line until no air bubbles are visible. Be careful not to overpull or damage the ink system.

Perform a Deep Cleaning of the Printhead

Even if you’ve already cleaned the printhead, perform a more thorough deep cleaning to push ink through:

• Open the HP Smart App.
• Navigate to Tools > Maintenance > Clean Printhead. If available, select Deep Clean.
  If this option is unavailable, run multiple rounds of basic cleaning.

Check for Clogged Cyan Nozzles

The nozzles on the cyan printhead might be clogged:

• Remove the printhead (consult your printer's manual for specific instructions).
• Use a lint-free cloth dampened with warm distilled water to clean the cyan nozzles gently.
• Submerge the bottom of the printhead in warm distilled water for a few minutes to dissolve dried ink.

Reset the Printer

Sometimes, resetting the printer can restore options like ink charging:

• Turn the printer off.
• Unplug it from the power source and wait 1-2 minutes.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

Update Firmware

Ensure your printer is running the latest firmware, as this could unlock hidden options or improve ink flow functionality:

• Download and install the latest firmware from the HP Support website for your model.

[Raj_05]

Check for Ink Tank Air Leaks

Inspect the cyan ink tank and tubing for air leaks or improper seals:

• Ensure the cyan ink tank's lid is closed securely.
• Check the tubing for cracks or damage. If any are found, contact HP Support for replacement parts.

Alternative Ink Charging Option

Although your model doesn’t explicitly allow charging, here’s a manual workaround:

• Print a page with a cyan-heavy design or solid cyan block repeatedly (even if it prints blank at first).
  This forces the printer to pull ink, potentially dislodging air bubbles and restoring ink flow.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support