Cyan does not print at all, even though there is ink at the tip of the cartridge (OfficeJet 6600)

[coilycat]

The cyan ink does not print at all, even when just copying something blue. The cartridge is not expired (brand new), and there is blue ink that comes off on my fingers if I touch the tip. I ran the clean print head function a few times. When I printed a status report there was absolutely nothing in the cyan column. This is affecting how even black text prints, for some reason. The black text is very light.

No recent software/hardware changes. Using LAN.

[Garp_senchau]

@coilycat, 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

If your HP Officejet 6600 e-All-in-One Printer is experiencing issues where the cyan ink does not print at all and black text appears very light, you can follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check and Clean the Printhead

Since you have already run the clean printhead function, it's possible the printhead may still be clogged or malfunctioning. Try the following additional steps:

• Manual Cleaning
  1. Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
  2. Open the printer and remove the printhead.
  3. Use a clean, lint-free cloth moistened with distilled water to gently wipe the gold contacts on the printhead and inside the printer.
  4. Allow the contacts to dry completely before reinserting the printhead and cartridges.

2. Align the Printhead

Perform a printhead alignment to ensure optimal print quality:

• From your printer's control panel, navigate to the "Setup" menu.
• Select "Tools" and then "Align Printer".

3. Update Firmware

Ensure the printer firmware is up to date:

• Visit the HP Software and Driver Downloads page and check for firmware updates for your printer model.

4. Check for Air in the Ink Cartridge

Sometimes air bubbles can prevent ink from flowing properly:

• Remove the cyan ink cartridge.
• Gently tap the cartridge on a paper towel to see if any air bubbles emerge from the nozzle.

5. Reset the Printer

Perform a hard reset on the printer:

• With the printer on, unplug the power cord from the back of the printer.
• Wait for about 60 seconds.
• Plug the power cord back in and turn on the printer.

Also, refer to this guide: 

HP Officejet 6600, 6700 Printers - Fixing Poor Print Quality Problems | HP® Support

HP Officejet 6600, 6700 Printers - Color or Black Ink is Not Printing | HP® Support

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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Regards,