Suddenly my HP6970 does not print black. It runs the page throught, but it is blank.

[GeorgeWG]

My 6978 does not print black.  It runs the paper through, but it is blank.  The cartridge was recently replace via HP Instant Ink.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @GeorgeWG,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

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

I understand your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970/6978 is feeding paper through but not printing in black, even though the cartridge was recently replaced via HP Instant Ink. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Check Ink Cartridge Venting
Open the printer and remove the black ink cartridge.
Examine the orange pull tab and ensure all sealing tape is completely removed.
Gently use a pin to clear any clogged vent (small hole on top of the cartridge) if it appears blocked.

Clean the Printhead Automatically
On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup → Printer Maintenance → Clean Printhead.
Run the cleaning process and then print a test page.
If black is still missing, run the cleaning cycle up to three times with a few minutes in between.

Check the Estimated Ink Levels
From the printer’s touchscreen, select Ink Information → Estimated Levels.
Ensure the black cartridge is recognized and showing sufficient ink. If it appears grayed out or empty, reseat it firmly.

Print a Quality Diagnostic Report
Go to Setup → Printer Maintenance → Print Quality Report.
Examine the black grid section — if it’s blank or streaked, the printhead may be clogged or misaligned.

Manually Clean the Printhead Contacts
Power off the printer and unplug it.
Remove the ink cartridges, then gently clean the copper-colored contacts on both the cartridges and the printhead using a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
Let them dry completely before reinstalling.

I hope this helps.

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