Printer won't print colors

[FK70]

HP Office Jet 8020 suddenly will print black and red only but not blue and yellow.  It is not new but has worked well for years and is not heavily used. New ink catridges installed.  Cleaned print head. Any ideas. HP print and scan doctor no help.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @FK70,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 is only printing black and red but not blue or yellow, here are steps to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Ink Cartridge Installation

• Ensure the ink cartridges are genuine HP cartridges.
• Verify the cartridges are seated correctly in their slots and that their protective tapes have been removed.

2. Run Printhead Cleaning Multiple Times

• Clean the printhead using the printer's built-in cleaning utility. Since you’ve already done this once, repeat the cleaning process up to 3 times to improve results.
• To access this:
  • Go to the printer's control panel or through the HP Smart App.
  • Navigate to Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead.

3. Print Quality Diagnostics Report

• Print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page to assess which colors are missing or faint.
  • On the printer's touchscreen, go to Settings > Reports > Print Quality Report.
• Check the color blocks for missing or streaky colors.

4. Align the Printhead

• Misaligned printheads can cause color printing issues. Use the printer menu to perform an alignment:
  • Settings > Tools > Align Printer.

5. Manually Clean the Printhead

If automated cleaning doesn’t help, you can manually clean the printhead:

• Remove the printhead from the printer.
• Use a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water to gently clean the nozzles.
• Allow the printhead to dry completely before reinserting it.

6. Update Printer Firmware

• Outdated firmware can cause operational issues. Update the firmware via the HP Smart app or from the HP website.

7. Check Printer Settings

• Ensure the print settings are configured to print in color.
  • In the print dialog box on your computer, confirm the Print in Color option is selected.

8. Inspect for Hardware Issues

• If the problem persists, the printhead might be clogged or damaged.
• Contact HP Support to determine if the printhead can be replaced. For the HP OfficeJet Pro 8025, the printhead is integrated into the printer and may need servicing.

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!

[FK70]

Hi Gaya1239

Thank you. This is helpful. I have tried all your suggestions except #5, without success.

Black and white print comes out perfect and the red squre looks good but there is no blue or yellow square at all

How exactly do I remove the printhead for manual cleaning?

Is there a diagram or something that would show me where the printhead is and how to remove and reinstall it?

I am a litle confused when you say in #8 that the OfficeJet Pro 8025 printhead is integrated into the printer. Does that mean it cannot be removed for cleaning or can it be removed?

@FK70

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @FK70 ,

Thank you for your response, I appreciate your efforts. As the issue persists, I am sorry to hear that I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. 

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

Please click “Accept as 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!