HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 All in One - Cyan not printing

[Terrell20747]

All the colors are working fine except for cyan. I've done all of these items:

1. Check Ink Levels and Fill Ink Tanks:

2. Check the Print Settings and Paper:

3. Clean the Printheads (10 x)

4. Print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page - cyan is missing. all other are okay

5. Check for Any Error Messages: None

6. Reset the Printer: off andon.

Now what?

[Max3Aj]

@Terrell20747, Hello and welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your question. I'm here to help you get things back on track.

You've already done a great job troubleshooting so far. Since cyan is still missing after multiple cleanings and resets, here are a few additional steps to help resolve the issue:

Check Ink Cartridge Venting

Sometimes, a clogged vent on the cyan cartridge can prevent ink from flowing.

1. Remove the cyan cartridge.
2. Look at the top of the cartridge for a small vent (usually a tiny slit).
3. If it's clogged or covered (e.g., with tape or dried ink), gently clean it with a pin or soft cloth.
4. Reinstall the cartridge and try printing again.

Deep Printhead Cleaning via HP Smart or Printer Menu

If standard cleaning didn’t help, try a second-level cleaning:

• On the printer control panel, go to: Setup > Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead > Second-level Clean
• Alternatively, use the HP Smart app on your PC or phone to run a deeper cleaning cycle.

Repeat this only once or twice to avoid ink waste.

 Print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page Again

After cleaning, print a test page:

• Setup > Reports > Print Quality Report
• Check if cyan appears. If not, proceed to the next step.

Remove and Reinstall the Printhead (if removable)

The OfficeJet Pro 6978 has a semi-permanent printhead. You can try reseating it:

1. Power on the printer and open the ink cartridge access door.
2. Remove all cartridges.
3. Lift the latch on the printhead assembly and gently remove the printhead.
4. Wipe the electrical contacts with a lint-free cloth (no alcohol).
5. Reinsert the printhead, lower the latch, reinstall cartridges, and close the door.

Replace the Cyan Cartridge

If the issue persists, try replacing the cyan cartridge with a new, genuine HP cartridge. Even if the ink level appears fine, the cartridge could be defective.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, the printhead may be permanently clogged or damaged. In that case, please visit the nearest HP authorized service center, the service team will check and assist you. 
Kindly follow this link to locate the nearest HP service center: HP® Service Center Locator - United States | HP® Support
(Select the country from the dropdown menu and enter the city name or pincode) 

I hope the information shared has been useful and resolves your concern.

Wishing you a smooth and hassle-free experience ahead!

If this solution helped, please click “Accepted Solution” so others can benefit too. Don’t forget to hit the “Yes” button if you found this helpful!

Warm regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support