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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Printer throwing up errors and printing blank pages

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03-02-2025 10:03 AM
My HP DeskJet 4158e has recently had printing issues. The first year we had it everything worked fine. Recently it stopped printing in black ink. I could not figure out the issue so I did a factory reset. After which it printed the setup documents just fine. No issue. So I ran a few test prints to make sure the print heads were clean. No issue.
But when going to print a document or anything else I get blank pages when using black ink and sometimes while sending the print to the printer it errors out, with all the lights blinking on the printer. I'm about at my wits end with this thing.
Also the blank pages happen no matter what PC or device I am printing from
I've checked to make sure the ink cartages are properly seated. Tried running the Diagnostic in HP smart. Nothing but lights blinking and errors.
03-06-2025 01:25 PM
@Adonael, Welcome to the HP Support Community!
Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer printing blank pages!
We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.
It sounds like you've already done a lot of troubleshooting, but since the issue persists, let's go through a few additional steps to pinpoint the problem:
Possible Causes:
- Clogged Printhead: Even though test prints worked, the black ink nozzle might still be clogged.
- Faulty Ink Cartridge: The black ink cartridge could be defective.
- Printer Firmware Issue: A firmware glitch might be affecting black ink printing.
- Hardware Failure: If all lights are blinking, there might be a deeper hardware issue.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Clean the Printhead Again
- Open HP Smart > Printer Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead (Run this multiple times if needed).
- Try manually cleaning the printhead:
- Remove the cartridge.
- Gently clean the printhead with a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
- Let it dry completely before reinserting.
Check Ink Cartridge
- Make sure you are using genuine HP ink cartridges.
- Try replacing the black ink cartridge if you have a spare.
- Reset the ink system:
- Remove both cartridges.
- Turn off the printer and unplug it for 10 minutes.
- Reinsert cartridges and restart the printer.
Update Printer Firmware
- Download the latest firmware from HP's website.
- Install and check if the issue persists.
Hard Reset the Printer
- Turn the printer off.
- Unplug the power cord from the wall and printer.
- Wait 10-15 minutes.
- Plug it back in and turn it on.
- Try printing again.
Check for Paper and Connection Issues
- Make sure the printer is set as Default in Devices & Printers.
- If using Wi-Fi printing, try using a USB cable instead.
- Check for paper jams or debris in the paper path.
Printer Hardware Test
- Run a Self-Test Page:
- Press and hold the Cancel (X) and Start Copy Black buttons together.
- The printer should print a report.
- If black ink is missing, the issue is likely with the printhead or cartridge.
Hope this helps!
Take care, and have an amazing day!
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Regards,
ZOEY7886
I am an HP Employee