My HP Photosmart 6520e printer will not print black. Print Quality Report shows no black box

[MikeS610]

All of a sudden my HP Photosmart 6520e printer will not print black.  I have cleaned and aligned several times. I have replaced the cartridge (it is HP). I have updated drivers and run self fix software provided with no luck.  The print quality diagnostic prints out all the words nut the black box has nothing where as the color boxes have three shade bars of each color.

I'm at a total loses for what to do next.  HELP PLEASE!!! 

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @MikeS610,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you've already taken several troubleshooting steps to address the issue with your HP Photosmart 6520e printer not printing black. Since you've already cleaned, aligned, replaced the cartridge, updated drivers, and run self-fix software without success, 

here are a few additional steps you can try:

To assist better:

• Are you using genuine HP ink cartridges?
• Does the copy print out the same way? 
• What's the application you are trying to print from? 
• Have you tried printing from a different application or device? 

While you respond to that, let's print a Print Quality Diagnostic page -Post the Print Quality Diagnostic page here so we can help you further.

Let's perform a power drain: 

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Remove the USB cable, if present.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
• Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord (This is important) and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
• Turn on the printer and wait till the warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle

Check Ink Levels: Ensure that the black ink cartridge is properly installed and has sufficient ink. Sometimes, ink levels can be low even if the cartridge is recently replaced.

Manual Cleaning: Try manually cleaning the printhead. You can find instructions for manual cleaning in your printer's user manual or on the HP support website. Make sure to follow the steps carefully to avoid damaging the printhead.

Printhead Alignment: Sometimes, printhead alignment can affect print quality. Check if there's an option in your printer settings to align the printhead manually. This can sometimes help improve print quality.

Factory Reset: Consider performing a factory reset on your printer. This will reset all settings to their default values and may help resolve any software-related issues that could be causing the problem. Instructions for performing a factory reset should be available in your printer's user manual.

Refer to this document:  HP Photosmart 6520 e-All-in-One Printer series

Update the printer firmware 

• Click here to download and install the latest printer firmware from your product
• Click here to know different methods of updating the printer firmware. 
• follow the troubleshooting steps HP Deskjet, Photosmart 6520 Printers - Black Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issue

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!

[MikeS610]

In answer to your questions...  Thank You very much for the detailed response.  🙂

• Are you using genuine HP ink cartridges? Yes
• Does the copy print out the same way?  Yes Blank if black
• What's the application you are trying to print from? Word, Excel, etc
• Have you tried printing from a different application or device? Yes

Power Drain done no change...

Ink levels are good. I've changed the black to rule out a cartridge issue. No change.

All drivers updated.

Factory Reset done no change.

Firmware says its up to date.

Cleaned heads no change.

• follow the troubleshooting steps HP Deskjet, Photosmart 6520 Printers - Black Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality
• Are not in English... not that that really matters I've seen most of the posts already.

Any other suggestions?

[MikeS610]

Also Print Diagnostics page prints out perfect as far as the words and the blue red and yellow boxes

The black box is blank and the align bars on the bottom only show color no black

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @MikeS610 ,

Thank you for your response, I appreciate your efforts. As the issue persists, I am sorry to hear that  This needs one-on-one interaction  I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. 

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

Please click “Accept as 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!

[MikeS610]

Really appreciate all your help but honestly i don't think its worth the time.  I'm going to buy another printer and move on.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Mike610