Ink feed tube

[Ryan_Lee]

HP smart tank 7306. 

Not printing black ink.

Tank is full. 

Have been through clean print head and align print head several times and reset the printer.

Black ink is not passing from K32XL tank to the print head. The ink feed tube is clearly empty and ink is not getting to the print head from the tank.

[Rachel571]

Hi @Ryan_Lee 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like the issue you're experiencing with your HP Smart Tank 7306 printer is a blocked or malfunctioning ink feed tube, which is preventing the black ink from flowing properly from the K32XL tank to the printhead.

Since the tank is full but the ink isn't reaching the printhead, the issue could be with the ink tube, printhead, or ink delivery system. Here's how you can troubleshoot and possibly resolve this issue:

Step 1: Inspect the Ink Feed Tube

Since you mentioned that the ink feed tube is empty, it’s possible that the tube is blocked, pinched, or airlocked. To resolve this:

1. Turn off the Printer and unplug it to ensure safety while handling components.
2. Open the printer’s ink tank cover to expose the ink tanks and the ink feed tubes.
3. Check the Feed Tube: Look for any visible signs of damage, such as kinks, blockages, or air bubbles in the tube.
   • If you see a blockage, gently press on the tube to see if the ink can flow freely again.
   • If there's an air bubble trapped in the tube, gently massage the tube with your fingers to help move the ink through the tube and remove the air.
4. Ensure the Tube is Secure: Ensure that the tube is securely connected to both the ink tank and the printhead. A loose connection could also cause the ink not to flow correctly.

Step 2: Check for Blockages in the Printhead

Even though you've cleaned the printhead, the blockage may still be present, especially if it’s a clog at the ink intake point.

Remove the Printhead: Carefully remove the printhead from the printer (refer to the user manual for instructions specific to the HP Smart Tank 7306).

Inspect the Printhead: Look for any visible clogs or dried ink in the printhead nozzles. You can gently wipe the printhead with a damp lint-free cloth to remove any excess ink or dirt.

Use the Cleaning Function: If the manual cleaning didn’t work, run the printhead cleaning cycle again from the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app. If the printhead is still clogged after multiple cleaning attempts, you might need to consider replacing the printhead (especially if it's damaged or severely clogged).

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

[Ryan_Lee]

Thanks for the reply,

I followed all of the above steps several times to no avail. Eventually the issue was resolved by replacing the printhead.