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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Printer Not Printing in Black but HP Still Reporting that th...

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03-25-2023 04:10 PM
I have been using an Instant Ink subscription for the past 2 years. My printer (HP Envy) has run out of black ink, and whenever I try to print a document that has any black in it, it basically just prints an ineligible version of the document. The HP smart app is not recognizing that the black ink is almost empty. Please send me a replacement ASAP, I have some very important documents to print and I cannot print them with this ink. Note that your system shows I printed seven pages but one was a test color page; the others were black pages that were blotchy or nearly blank.
03-27-2023 08:00 PM
Hi @pcomey,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
If your printer is not printing in black, but the ink levels are still being reported as sufficient, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
- Check the ink cartridges: Make sure that the black ink cartridge is properly installed and has not run out of ink. If you suspect that the cartridge is empty, try replacing it with a new one.
- Clean the printhead: Over time, the printhead of your printer can become clogged with dried ink, causing the printer to produce faint or incomplete prints. Most printers have a cleaning function that can be accessed through the printer's software or control panel.
- Run a printer diagnostic test: Many printers have a diagnostic test that can help identify any problems with the printing mechanism. This test can usually be initiated through the printer's software or control panel.
- Update the printer drivers: Make sure that you have the latest drivers for your printer installed on your computer. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause printing problems.
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!
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator
03-28-2023 02:39 PM
Thank you for your suggestions.
I used the "clean printhead" regular and advanced on my HP control panel from my laptop. The first sample print page was somewhat better at the beginning of the test but by the end was barely legible. The second print sample, after the advance cleaning, was virtually blank.
I also have the five pages I printed that were failures. Some of the print is visible on the first page, but by the fifth page, nothing was visible other than a couple of dots.
I removed and inspected the print cartridges. The black cartridge feels light.
I am convinced the black ink is empty. I noticed that the ink sensor is an estimate. I would great appreciate a replacement Instant Ink cartridge. Thank you.
03-29-2023 01:23 AM
Hi @pcomey,
Thank you for performing the recommended steps, I see that it has not helped.
I would need to know a few details regarding your Instant ink account to help you get the ink cartridges sorted.
Since the instant ink account details are confidential, please send me the required information via private message.
I am sending you a private message with the information required. Please check the mailbox icon at the top-right corner of this screen.
Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile,
Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it.
I hope this helps resolve this issue completely,
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee