Ink bleed

[Jeit]

Whenever I try to colour print with my HP smart tank printer the entire page prints in Purple colour. My printer has been barely used and only B&W prints well currently. I have tried various tests and tried removing, cleaning and putting back the printer head as well but noHelp me find a permanent solution for this. 

[zoey7886]

@Jeit, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding ink leakage! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

I understand how frustrating it must be when your printer isn’t producing the colors correctly, especially since it hasn’t been used much. You’ve already taken some great troubleshooting steps, so let’s dive deeper and find a lasting fix.

Ink Flow Issues – Since your printer has been lightly used, the ink may not be flowing properly through the printhead. Try running the "Clean Printhead" option from your printer’s control panel or HP Smart app. You might need to run this multiple times to unclog any dried ink.

Check Ink Levels & Cartridges – Even if the levels look fine, try gently reseating the ink cartridges. Also, shake the color ink tanks a little (especially cyan and yellow) to ensure proper mixing.

Color Calibration – Go to your printer settings and look for an option like "Align Printhead" or "Calibrate Colors" to ensure the colors are balanced.

Firmware Update – Make sure your printer is running the latest firmware. You can check this through the HP Smart app or on the HP website by searching for updates for the HP Smart Tank 516.

Deep Printhead Cleaning (Manual) – If the automatic cleaning doesn’t help, you may need to manually clean the printhead with a lint-free cloth and warm water. Be careful not to damage the nozzles.

Let me know how it goes! I’d love to help until we get this sorted. 😊  

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards,