Faint ink

[Parsons2408]

Light to no ink after head cleaning. Older printer but not used a lot. Someone said my ink dried up and to get a new cartridge. Sounds logical.  My question is would the printer still register the ink to be almost full? I have not colored ink it’s empty but the black says it’s almost full. My printer is a hp envy photo 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Parsons2408 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP Envy Photo printer is producing faint or light ink after head cleaning, there are a few possible causes. Let’s break down the issue and address your specific question about ink cartridge registration.

Possible Causes of Faint or No Ink:

Dried or Clogged Ink Cartridge (especially if not used frequently):

• If the printer hasn't been used a lot, it's possible that the ink in the cartridge has dried up or the printhead (the part that delivers the ink to the paper) is clogged. Ink can dry up if the printer is idle for extended periods, especially with older printers that don't get regular use.
• The black ink cartridge may still show as "almost full" on the printer’s display because the printer's internal counter might not reflect the actual ink level. The printer might still think there’s ink left, but the ink flow could be compromised due to clogs or drying.

Empty Color Cartridge:

Even though you’ve mentioned the color ink cartridge is empty, it's important to note that most HP printers use both color and black ink for printing. If the color ink is completely empty or dried up, it can sometimes affect the black ink printing quality, particularly in color printing or if the printer is trying to mix the colors to achieve different shades.

While the black ink may still appear to be almost full, if it's not dispensing properly due to a clogged printhead, it could result in faint or light prints.

Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve the Issue:

Perform a More Thorough Cleaning:

• It’s a good idea to clean the printhead again but try running a deeper cleaning cycle if your printer offers that option.
• Some HP printers have the option for several levels of cleaning, including a "deep clean" cycle, which can help clear any dried ink or blockages in the printhead.
• You can usually access these options through the printer's settings on the control panel or via the HP Smart App.

Check Ink Cartridge:

• Remove the black ink cartridge and check if there are any visible signs of damage or drying. If the ink appears to be dried up (or if you see dried ink crusts around the nozzle), it’s likely that the cartridge needs to be replaced.
• Even though it shows as "almost full," if the cartridge is dried up or clogged, it won’t print properly. In this case, replacing the black ink cartridge could resolve the issue.

Use the Printer's Ink Level Monitoring:

• Sometimes the printer may incorrectly show that the ink is full when it is actually low or dried. You can often manually check the ink levels through the printer’s software or via the HP Smart App on your computer or phone, which may give you a more accurate reading.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support