No colour printing even with new cartridge

[dnd90]

Printer was not printing in colour properly for some time, only a little blue but very light. Cartridge was not empty but changed it to a brand new one as none of the diagnostic tool options had helped. New cartridge hasn't helped at all. Frustrated that I've wasted an inordinate amount of ink and paper to still not be able to print in colour. Any ideas what the issue could be?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dnd90 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for laying out everything you've tried—it’s clear you’ve been persistent and patient, and I can imagine how frustrating it is to see blank or faded colour output even after replacing the cartridge. 

Let’s walk through a focused set of steps to help restore vibrant colour printing.

1. Run a Printhead Cleaning Cycle

Even with a new cartridge, dried ink or clogs can block colour flow:

• Open the HP App on your computer or mobile device.
• Select your printer > Settings or Tools.
• Choose Clean Printhead.
• Print a test page and check for colour improvement.
• If needed, repeat the cleaning up to two more times.

2. Print a Diagnostic Page

This helps identify which colour channels are affected:

• On the printer control panel, press the Information and Cancel buttons together.
• A Printer Status Report will print.
• Look for missing or faded colour blocks—especially cyan, magenta, and yellow.

3. Check Cartridge Vent and Seating

Improper installation or blocked vents can prevent ink flow:

• Power off the printer and open the cartridge access door.
• Remove the colour cartridge and inspect the vent strip (small plastic area on top).
• Gently clean it with a dry lint-free cloth.
• Reinsert the cartridge firmly and close the door.

4. Verify Paper Type Settings

Incorrect media settings can affect colour output:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your printer > Printing Preferences.
• Ensure Paper Type is set to Plain Paper and Print Quality is set to Normal or Best.
• Avoid using “Draft” mode for colour prints.

5. Update Firmware

Outdated firmware can misinterpret ink delivery:

• Visit the HP Software and Driver Downloads page.
• Enter your printer model and select your operating system.
• Download and install the latest firmware update.

6. Try a Different Colour Document

Sometimes the issue is with the file itself:

• Open a simple colour image or document (e.g., a colour test page).
• Print it directly from the HP App or your computer.
• Compare the output to see if colour channels are responding.

Let me know how the printer behaves after these steps. If colour is still missing or faint, I can help you isolate whether it’s a printhead blockage or a deeper ink delivery issue.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye