My HP 6958 not printing or copying color after color (3) cartridge replacement.

[JeffS9]

My HP 6958 not printing or copying color after color (3) cartridge replacement.  Test page prints only black and white elements.  Printer preferences set to NOT GRAYSCALE.

[Max3Aj]

Hi @JeffS9, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
If your HP OfficeJet 6958 is not printing or copying in color after replacing the color cartridge, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

Check the Cartridges

• Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges.
• Verify that the color cartridge is properly installed and the protective tape has been completely removed.

Print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page

To check if the printer is detecting and using the color cartridge:

1. On the printer's control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Print Quality Report.
2. Check if any color blocks are missing or faded.

Clean the Printhead

If colors are missing, the printhead might be clogged:

1. Go to Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead.
2. Run the cleaning cycle and try printing again.
3. If the issue persists, repeat the cleaning up to three times.

Check Printer Settings

In Windows:

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on HP OfficeJet 6958 > Printing Preferences.
3. Ensure Grayscale is unchecked and Print in Color is selected.

In HP Smart App:

1. Open HP Smart.
2. Click Printer Settings > Print Options and make sure color printing is enabled.

Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

1. Download the latest driver from the HP Support website.
2. Uninstall the existing printer software:
   • Go to Control Panel > Programs & Features > Uninstall HP OfficeJet 6958.
3. Restart the computer and reinstall the latest driver.

Perform a Power Reset

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it from power.
2. Wait 5 minutes and plug it back in.
3. Turn the printer on and try printing again.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[JeffS9]

Max3Aj:

I have followed your instructions as they appeared in your reply email..

The printhead cleaning function improved B&W printing only.

ADDITIONAL NOTE I can not successfully complete the "alignment page scan" before, or after printhead cleaning.

The installed printer/driver HPD8E6D0 (HP Officejet 6950). Could this be part of the problem as printer is branded as HP Officejet 6958?

Via the Control Panel there is no print option selection of "Color". GRAYSCALE IS SET TO "OFF">

I have tried printing various items including your original email reply with a COLOR  subject line and it printe the subject line as "blamk".  I hae also printed a Word document with a highlighted (yellow) date within the body and the document only prints B&W and much improved after performing printhead cleaning.

Despite NO COLOR printing, color cartridge levels are showing consumption (???).

Your original email did not included the instructions of reloading drivers and power cycling the printer as I see on HP Support Community "Discussion" and I have performed those steps.

Also, I have printed all the pages associated with the troubleshooting steps you provided, BUT I DO NOT SEE how to attach to this reply.

I spent $49.50 for COLOR 902 catridges and this is frustrating as COLOR WAS PRINTING until cartridges became low on ink.

Any additional help, or suggestions you have would be appreciated.  SHOULD I UNINSTALL THE PRINTER/DRIVERS/CARTRIDGES AND SIMULATE ORIGINAL SETUP?

[Max3Aj]

Hi @JeffS9,

Thank you for your response, 

here are some advanced steps to resolve the issue with your HP OfficeJet 6958 not printing in color.
 

Uninstall and Reinstall Printer as a New Device

Try completely removing and reinstalling the printer to simulate a fresh setup.

Uninstall the Printer

1. Disconnect the printer from your computer (USB or Wi-Fi).
2. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers (or Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 11).
3. Find HP OfficeJet 6958, right-click, and choose Remove device.
4. Open Control Panel > Programs & Features, find HP OfficeJet software, and Uninstall it.
5. Restart your computer.

Reinstall the Printer

1. Download the latest HP OfficeJet 6958 drivers from the HP support website.
2. Install the printer software and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Connect the printer via Wi-Fi or USB and perform a test print.

Hard Reset the Printer

1. Turn on the printer and disconnect the power cord from the wall.
2. Wait 10-15 minutes (to clear internal memory).
3. Plug the power cord back in and turn on the printer.
4. Print a Print Quality Report (Setup > Tools > Print Quality Report) and check for color output.

Check for Hidden Settings Forcing Grayscale Printing

Even if grayscale is off in the printer settings, other settings might still be forcing black and white printing.

• Microsoft Word & Office Apps:
  • Open a document, go to File > Print
  • Click Printer Properties and check if color is enabled.
• HP Smart App:
  • Open HP Smart > Printer Settings > Advanced Settings (EWS)
  • Navigate to Print Preferences and ensure color printing is enabled.

Verify Printer Firmware & Drivers Are Correct

• Open HP Print and Scan Doctor (available from HP's support site).
• Run a scan to detect any driver or firmware conflicts.
• If the firmware is outdated, update it via:
  • Printer control panel → Setup → Printer Update
  • HP Support website → Download firmware update

[Max3Aj]

Perform a Semi-Full Reset (Last Resort)

If none of the above steps work, try a semi-full reset to restore factory settings.

⚠️ NOTE: This will erase all settings, including network connections.

Steps to Perform a Semi-Full Reset:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the Back (↩️) and Cancel (X) buttons together.
3. While holding these buttons, turn on the printer.
4. Continue holding the buttons until you see "Semi-Full Reset" on the screen.
5. Release the buttons and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once done, set up the printer again and check if it prints in color.

If Color Ink Levels Are Decreasing but No Color Prints Appear

• The printer may be using color for maintenance but not for printing.
• This could indicate a printhead sensor issue.
• If the issue persists after all troubleshooting, the printhead may need manual cleaning or replacement.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Max3Aj

HP Support