Printer won't print in black when it shows available

[MelissaDB]

Hello - I keep having issues with my printer working when I need it to.  I don't print often but when I do, it never wants to print legibly.  The app shows that I have plenty of color ink left and a decent amount of black ink.  It won't print in black today, only a weird light gray green color when printing in color - the short letter is in black font.  I feel like I buy these relatively cheap printers and they only last a year or two before I have these ongoing issues and I go get a new one.  Is this common?  Am I not printing enough to keep the ink working well?  Is there a reasonably priced better printer model that is known to last for a longer period of time?  I work from home so it's an inconvenience when I need to print something and can't.  Thanks!

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MelissaDB,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Print Quality Diagnostic Report:

• Open the HP Smart app or printer software.
• Navigate to "Tools" or "Printer Maintenance".
• Select "Print Quality Diagnostic".
• Review the report for any issues with alignment, ink levels, or clogged printheads.

Clean Printhead:

• Open the HP Smart app or printer software.
• Navigate to "Tools" or "Printer Maintenance".
• Select "Clean Printhead".
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cleaning process.

Align Printhead:

• Open the HP Smart app or printer software.
• Navigate to "Tools" or "Printer Maintenance".
• Select "Align Printhead".
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the alignment process.

Inspect Cartridges:

• Ensure the ink cartridges are correctly installed and have no damage:
  • Open the printer cover.
  • Remove the ink cartridges one by one.
  • Inspect the cartridges for any leaks, damage, or clogged nozzles.
  • Reinsert the cartridges properly.

Replace Ink Cartridges:

• If necessary, replace low or damaged ink cartridges:
  • Purchase genuine HP ink cartridges for better compatibility and print quality.

Update Firmware:

Kindly refer to this link to update your printer firmware.

Printer Settings:

• Verify the printer settings in your document and application:
  • Make sure the document is set to print in "Black & White" rather than "Color".
  • Check if any ink-saving modes are enabled which could impact quality.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,