HP 4650 NOT printing just any form of RED color

[MMMM35]

I replaced 3 different color and black cartridges, did clean process more then 10 times. still the printer does not print any form of RED color. cleaned the sensors that touch cartridges as well.

Printed almost 25 test papers. RED color is not printing at all.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MMMM35,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please let us know the model name of the device you're using?

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

[MMMM35]

Hello,

Thank you for responding.

The printer model is Office jet 4650.

Regards 

[MMMM35]

Hello,

Thank you for responding.

The printer model is Office jet 4650.

Regards

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MMMM35,

Thank you for the response.

If your HP OfficeJet 4650 is not printing red despite replacing cartridges and performing multiple cleaning cycles, the issue might be with the printhead, color mixing, or software settings. Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Perform a Hard Reset

• Turn off the printer and disconnect the power cable for about 5 minutes.
• Reconnect and turn it back on.
• Try printing again.

2. Check Color Mixing & Nozzle Blockage

Since red is a mix of yellow and magenta, one of these colors may not be printing correctly.

• Print a nozzle check pattern to confirm if magenta is missing.
  • On the printer, go to Setup > Tools > Print Quality Report.
  • Look for missing colors or streaks in the magenta section.
• If magenta is missing, the printhead may be clogged.

3. Manually Clean the Printhead

If the printhead is clogged, automatic cleaning may not be enough. Try this:

• Remove the ink cartridges and take out the printhead if possible.
• Use a lint-free cloth slightly damp with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol to clean the nozzles.
• Let it dry completely before reinstalling.
• Run another printhead cleaning cycle from the printer menu.

4. Check Printer Settings & Driver Issues

On Windows:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices & Printers > Right-click HP 4650 > Printer Preferences.
• Check if color printing is enabled and not set to grayscale.

On Mac:

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and ensure it's set to color.

Reinstall the Printer Drivers:

• Download the latest drivers from HP’s official website.
• Uninstall the printer from Device Manager, restart your PC, and reinstall it.

5. Try a Different Document & Print Mode

• Test with a different document or image to rule out file corruption.
• Print a solid red page to check if the issue persists.
• Try setting print quality to Best in printer settings.

6. Check Ink Cartridge & Printhead Compatibility

• Ensure you're using genuine HP cartridges.
• If you used refilled or third-party cartridges, magenta ink might be improperly mixed.

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Best regards,