Print quality is faded/choppy even though diagnostic tools indicate half-full cartridges

[JohnHHH]

HP ENVY 5055 ALL-IN ONE wireless connection with no error messages

Software is up to date with Windows 10 64 bit OS

Using HP 65 XL cartridges which expire soon

Cartridge cleaning from menu

Manual cartridge cleaning with distilled water

Shut down, unplugged and restarted printer

HP Smart app says cartridges are Ready and half full

HP Print and Scan Doctor has all green check marks

Windows Test Page prints the color heading and icon, but the top half of the page is vaguely printed.

The bottom half of the page only has black ink for the top of each line or every other line given the spacing.

This started out as missing large rows in a printed document

Asking for help here is my last attempt to figure out a solution before I just buy new cartridges to discover if that's the problem contrary to the diagnostic tools.

[JohnHHH]

FYI:

Very informative article:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05538986

Although, I have done most of these steps.

[JohnHHH · Accepted solution]

Update:
According to Windows 10 the driver is up-to-date.
Firmware is up-to-date.
Removed back cartridge and test page printed fine in color.
Removed color cartridge and test page barely printed.
HP 65 XL Black cartridge has Sep 2022 expiration.
HP Smart app shows HP 65 XL Black cartridge still half full.

Removed HP 65 XL Black cartridge and propped it up overnight according to HP support article.

Reinstalled but still not printing with black ink.
Installed new HP 65 Black cartridge expires Dec 2023.
Printer console recognizes genuine HP product.
Printer is successfully aligned.
Print Quality Diagnostic report is successful.