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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Printer not printing in black

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03-11-2025 12:54 PM
My printer is not printing black. I did purchase the XL size black cartridge instead of my usual standard size. The XL color cartridge is new and printing.
I have searched the forums and followed instructions from the thread below and not helpful.
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Inkjet-Printing/HP-5740-Cannot-print-black-ink/td-p/6954882
I need assistance.
03-15-2025 03:09 PM
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
Since your black ink isn’t printing after switching to an XL black cartridge, but the XL color cartridge prints fine, let’s go through some troubleshooting steps:
Basic Checks:
- Ensure the cartridge is properly installed – Remove the black cartridge, check for any protective tape, and reseat it firmly.
- Check ink levels – Even though it’s new, confirm via the printer’s display or software that the black cartridge is recognized and has ink.
- Run a printhead cleaning cycle – Do this from the printer’s maintenance menu to unclog nozzles.
Deep Cleaning & Testing:
- Try a test print with only black ink – Open a Word/Notepad document, type something in pure black, and print.
- Print a diagnostic page – If the black is missing on the test page, the issue is likely with ink flow.
- Manual cleaning of printhead:
- Remove the black cartridge and gently wipe the nozzle area with a lint-free cloth dampened with warm distilled water.
- Let it dry and reinstall the cartridge.
Firmware & Driver Updates:
- Check for printer firmware updates – If your printer firmware is outdated, it might not recognize XL cartridges properly.
- Reinstall printer drivers – Uninstall and reinstall the latest drivers from the HP website.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
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Asfiya03
HP Support
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