My HP Envy 4250 Won't Print Magenta

[LivingStardust]

My HP Envy 4250 printer has completely stopped printing magenta. I've tried running the cleaning cycles, but still no magenta. The HP Smart app says the cartridge still has plenty of ink. I'm using HP Instant Ink cartridges.

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

Since the cartridge did not recover with a cleaning cycle I would suggest contacting the HP Instant Ink folks for a replacement.

While waiting for the replacement, you might try manually cleaning the cartridge as follows: get a large coffee cup to put the cartridge in its normal orientation with the nozzles facing downward.  Put 1" of hot (but not boiling) water in the cup, the put the cartridge in with its nozzles submerged.  Leave the cartridge in the cup for fifteen minutes, then remove and use a lint free wipe to dry the electrical contacts.  Blot the cartridge printhead on a damp tissue.  A good cartridge will show a strong blot of cyan, magenta and yellow.  If the cartridge still does not show magenta you may have to repeat the process.

[LivingStardust]

Unfortunately, manual cleaning didn't work. I tried it twice but only managed to get a few small streaks of magenta. However, installing a new cartridge did work. I'm very glad the problem was just the cartridge and that I didn't need to shell out for a new printer.