HP ENVY 7640 will not print color at all

[Vance0185]

Hi everyone. I hope somebody has some ideas. My ENVY 7640 (occasionally used) is not printing out anything in color. Not a trace of color on the paper. I tried changing out the cartridge with 2 new sets, restored the machine, updated the software, tried printing from the computer and the printer itself, checked to enable color printing on the printer, cleaned the cartridge until the printer said contact support, even tried to blow out any debris or clean the carrier with a little alcohol. Absolutely nothing on color. Black prints fine. It repeatedly fails the alignment. 

The only conclusion I am left with is that the carrier/head (which I thought the ink carts were also the print heads) needs replacement. Anybody have any other ideas before this goes in the trash? Thanks in advance.

[Bob_Headrick]

It sounds like you have already gone through the standard troubleshooting.  One additional thing to try - remove the color cartridge and gently blot the printhead against a damp tissue.  You should see a strong blot of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.  Are all three colors present?

If the colors do not show up there are a few things to check:

• Make sure the protective tape has been removed from the printhead (very unlikely, but please make sure....)
• There may be air in the printhead, especially if you have blown into the printhead.  The following may help:  get a coffee cup and put 1" of hot water in the cup.  Place the cartridge in the cup with the nozzles facing downward (like they would be in the printer) and let the cartridge soak for fifteen minutes.  Remove the cartridge and wipe the electrical contacts with a dry wipe, then gently blot the printhead. Does the cartridge now show all three colors?

[Vance0185]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

unfortunately I tried that in the beginning because I though maybe the cart had a clot or something so I let the carts sit in shallow warm water until it ran ink. Then blotted them to make sure I saw either black or the 3 colors which they did. Tape is definitely off with no residue (old or new cart). I even tried some alcohol on the cleaning pad to see if I can soften a clot on the print head/carrier if it's designed that way . .... no luck. Maybe I didn't try that enough times? 

[Bob_Headrick]

If blotting the color cartridge on a damp tissue shows the three colors then the printhead is not clogged.  Since this has happened with multiple cartridges (which for this model contain the printhead and the ink) it would appear the issue may be an electrical one on the color side. 

One further thing you may try would be to clean the electrical connections on the back of the cartridge, as well as the mating connections in the printer. Use a damp lint-free wipe. When cleaning the electrical connection in the printer inspect the pads, looking for damaged pads or electrical traces.

If none of the above fixes the issue your printer will likely require service.

[Vance0185]

Thanks a lot Bob. I had hope with that suggestion as I did not try it so I did try to clean them and crossed my fingers but no. Alas, this is beyond what I can do or what is practical at this point. At least I can keep it as a B/W printer scanner etc upstairs until I really can justify a new one. I was hoping for an upgrade for the one in the den but it seems the Epson XP is still the champion workhorse.

Either way, thank you again, you're a champ!