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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Issue with colour when printing

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07-27-2025 07:29 PM
Hi All
I am having issues printing in colour, it's coming our only with magenta and light magenta, which looks pink and isn't even printing any other colours.
I have run the clean cartridges up to and including 3rd stage cleaning, but still exactly the same. I am using genuine HP cartridges and haven't had any issues with this in the past.
Any help gratefully received.
Thanks
Kris
07-30-2025 04:00 AM
@Sabre69, Hello and welcome to the HP Support Community!
Thanks for posting your question. I'm here to help you get things back on track.
I understand how frustrating it can be when your printer isn't producing colors correctly—especially when you're only seeing magenta and light magenta tones. Let's work through this together.
Since you've already run the printhead cleaning up to the 3rd stage and are using genuine HP cartridges, here are the next steps to try:
Check Estimated Ink Levels
Even if you're using genuine cartridges, low ink in other colors (cyan, yellow, etc.) can cause this issue.
- On the printer control panel, go to Ink Levels or Estimated Ink Levels.
- If any cartridge is low or empty, replace it.
Print a Diagnostic Print Quality Report
This helps identify which colors are not printing correctly.
- On your printer, go to Setup > Tools > Print Quality Report.
- Look for missing colors, streaks, or faded areas.
Align the Printhead
Misalignment can cause color distortion.
- Go to Setup > Tools > Align Printhead or use the HP Smart app.
Manually Clean the Printhead (if removable)
If your printer has a removable printhead, you can try a manual cleaning:
- Remove the cartridges and gently clean the printhead contacts with a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
- Let it dry completely before reinserting.
Update Printer Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause printing issues.
- Visit HP Software and Driver Downloads, enter your printer model, and install the latest firmware.
Try a Different Document or App
Sometimes the issue is with the file or software you're printing from. Try printing a test page from another app or the HP Smart app.
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
08-12-2025 11:02 AM
Hi @Sabre69,
Welcome to the HP support community.
Sorry to hear that you still have trouble.
Please help us with the Printer serial number or the product number in a private message for further assistance.
Here is the link to find the product serial number: - Click here
To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile and send a private message to me with the serial number, because we value your privacy.
VikramTheGreat
HP Support