Defective Cartridge

[NeedHelpThx]

Hello! I'm asking here because the actual HP support services are useless. A few months ago my 6 year old HP Envy 5540 stopped printing properly. After LOTS of troubleshooting and taking out only the black ink cartridge, I realized that the printer still works, and only the black ink was not. My first thought would be to replace the black ink cartridge and hope that does the trick.

The real question is - especially with how expensive ink is - if I purchase a new cartridge and still encounter the same problem, meaning the printer itself is in fact the issue, would it be possible to return the now useless new ink cartridge?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @NeedHelpThx,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I understand that you are facing issues with the black ink cartridge.

Superb description and stupendous diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that.

For better clarity and to assist you better I would require more information regarding this:

• Did you try to copy directly from the computer and check?
• Did this happen after a power outage or surge?

For now, try these steps:

• Make 2 copies directly from the printer without any communication from the computer to eliminate hardware issues.

If it copies fine, then uninstall and reinstall the printer software by following these steps:

• Uninstall the printer from "programs and features" which can be accessed by doing a right-clicking on the Windows button (Please have the printer Off and disconnected during uninstallation.)
• Check in device manager, if the printer is listed there, please delete it. (Right click on the Windows button to access device manager)
• Go to devices and printers, select any printer listed there and you will get some options on the top.
• Click on print server properties.
• You will get a popup, click on the drivers tab and delete all the HP printer drivers listed there if any.
• Delete all the instances of your printer listed in devices and printers.
• Restart the PC.
• Once the PC is on the desktop, press Win + R, it would bring a Run dialog box,
• Type %temp% in the run box and click Ok or hit the Enter button.
• It would bring up the temporary files folder. Delete the files in the folder (You might not be able to delete all the files).
• If possible, delete the printer from the registries using Regedit or using any other 3rd party application.
• Ignore the Regedit option if it cannot be done.
• Restart the PC again.

Then download the latest full-feature driver click here nd install it on the computer after selecting the correct operating system.

Connect the printer to your computer only when the setup prompts for the printer.

This should do the trick for you.

If it fails to copy correctly, Please follow all the prescribed steps from this link: http://hp.care/2tjHwxe for fixing print quality issues.

If there are no hardware issues then it should get fixed. Otherwise please contact HP phone support to get the cartridges or printer replaced.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!