Printing issue, one color not printing

[SV68]

My HP Smart Tank stopped printing with Blue. The color container is full (as the other colors). I tried cleaning the print head plus aligning it. Nothing helped so far.

Any idea what else I may try?

[Garp_senchau]

@SV68, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

When your HP Smart Tank printer stops printing one color, such as blue, but the color container is full, even after cleaning and aligning the print head, there are additional steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Verify Ink Levels and Quality: Ensure that the ink level is indeed sufficient and that you are using genuine HP ink. Low-quality or expired ink can cause printing issues.

Perform a Second-Level Cleaning: Use the HP Smart app to perform a deeper level of cleaning, which might help clear any blockages that a standard cleaning didn't resolve.

• Open the HP app, navigate to the settings and management tools by clicking the image of your printer.
• Select "Print Quality Tools" under "Tools" and choose "Clean Printhead" or "Clean."

Check and Clean Contacts: The connections between the printhead and the printer can sometimes have an impact on print performance.

• Ensure the printer is powered off and unplugged, carefully remove the printhead and inspect it for dirt or residue on the contact points.
• Use a lint-free cloth moistened with distilled water to clean the contacts, and let them dry before reinserting the printhead.

Print a Diagnostics Page: This helps identify if the problem persists despite performing cleaning and alignment routines.

• Load plain paper into the printer, and use the HP printer software or the control panel buttons to print a diagnostics page.
• Evaluate the print quality on the page to determine if further action is necessary.

Replace the Printhead: If cleaning does not resolve the issue, consider replacing the printhead. Printheads can develop faults over time that prevent certain colors from printing properly.

Check Printer Settings: Ensure that the printer settings are correct, especially for color settings. Sometimes, settings may be configured to print in monochrome or a specific color profile.

• Access your print settings from the software application you are using to print and ensure the correct settings are applied.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,

[SV68]

How can I "force" the print head / carriage move to the place where I can access it?

I was following all sorts of instructions but none worked, the carriage will not move to the middle so I can take it out for cleaning/inspection.

Any idea what I can do?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @SV68,

Thank you for the response.

I understand your HP Smart Tank printer’s printhead carriage isn’t moving to the center, preventing you from accessing it for cleaning or inspection. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Check for Error Messages

Make sure there are no paper jams or error messages on the printer’s display.

Clear any paper jams or obstructions if found and restart the printer.

Ensure the Printer is Powered On Properly

The carriage only unlocks when the printer is powered on.

Unplug the power cord while the printer is ON, wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in and power it on again.

Open the Access Door

Wait a few moments after opening the ink access door. The carriage should move automatically to the center.

If it doesn’t move, close the door, wait for the printer to stop making noises, and open it again.

Gently Move the Carriage (if still stuck)

Turn the printer off and unplug it.

Open the access door and check carefully inside for any debris or dried ink buildup blocking the carriage path.

If you can safely reach it, gently move the carriage to the center without forcing it.

Check the Carriage Lock

Some Smart Tank models have a carriage lock mechanism near the printhead area. Ensure it’s set to the unlocked position.

Power Cycle the Printer

After inspecting, close all doors and plug the printer back in. Turn it on and check if the carriage now moves automatically.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

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Best regards,