Printer will only print in blue ink.

[Costellon]

Installed Printer software. Installed new ink cartridges but it will only print in blue ink. I have cleaned the print heads numerous times but it still only prints in blue ink. I cannot align the print heads as it does not recognise the align page. I have also uninstalled and reinstalled software and drivers 3 times - still only prints in blue.

As a footnote - everytime I turn on the printer it immediately asks to align the print cartridges. I then print the align page (which only prints in blue) - I then follow the alignment directions and feed the page into the document feeder (I have tried it upside down, wrong way round etc ....) but the printer gives the error "ERROR: ALIGN PAGE NOT DETECTED".

As I mentioned above, my printer only prints in blue - any suggestions ?

[sandytechy20]

@Costellon

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting print quality issues, and I am glad to assist you.

• Use a pin or paper clip to remove any debris or excess adhesive from the vent on top of the cartridge.
• 

Manually clean the printhead

• Gather the following items.
• A clean disposable container large enough to fit the printhead
• Paper towels
• Filtered or distilled water (tap water may contain contaminants that can damage the printhead)
• Two clean lint-free cloths
• A pan or container for heating water
• Disposable gloves (to prevent ink transfer to skin and clothing)
• Stack several paper towels 6.5 mm (1/4 in) deep on the bottom of the disposable container.
• Heat the water until it is very warm to the touch. Do not bring it to a boil.
• Put on the gloves.
• Pour the heated water into the disposable container so that it is 5 cm (2 inches) deep and covering the paper towels.
• Remove all of the cartridges. Push in the tab on each cartridge, and then lift each of them out of the carriage.
• 
• Place the ink cartridges on a paper towel with the nozzles facing up.
• Lift the latch on the carriage until it stops.
• 
• Grasp the printhead by the sides to remove it from the carriage.
• 
• Lightly dampen a cloth with the heated water, and then gently wipe the nozzle area until excess ink does not transfer to the cloth.
•  CAUTION:
• Do not press into the nozzle area. Do not touch the copper-colored contacts with your fingers, or let the contacts touch any surface.
•  
• 
• Place the printhead in the container of water with the nozzles facing down, and then let it soak for 10 minutes.
• 
• Remove the printhead from the water, wipe off excess water with a clean lint-free cloth, and then let it air dry on a paper towel for fifteen minutes.
• Slide the printhead back into the carriage, and then lower the latch until it stops.
• 
• Reinsert each cartridge into its color-coded slot, making sure each snaps into place.
• Close the door or lid to the cartridge access area.

Refer to this HP document for further assistance:- Click here

Keep me posted.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.