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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- my printer is not printing color images only CYAN

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11-12-2024 10:07 AM
Hi @googoo3
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
If your printer is only printing cyan (blue) but not the other colors, this could be due to several issues, including problems with the ink cartridges, printhead, or the printer’s software settings.
Let’s walk through a few troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the issue:
Step 1: Check the Ink Cartridges
One of the most common reasons for color printing issues is a problem with the ink cartridges.
Check Cartridge Levels: Ensure that all the ink cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) have enough ink. If any cartridge is low or empty, replace it with a new one.
- You can check ink levels through the HP Smart app or your printer's display panel.
Reinstall the Ink Cartridges: Sometimes, the cartridges may not be installed properly or could be loose.
- Turn off the printer.
- Open the printer’s cartridge access door and remove the ink cartridges.
- Check the cartridges for any protective tape or packaging material that might still be on them.
- Reinstall the cartridges carefully, ensuring they are properly seated.
Try Different Cartridges: If you’re using refilled or third-party cartridges, sometimes they don’t work as well with certain printers. Try replacing the cartridges with genuine HP cartridges.
Step 2: Clean the Printhead
If the cartridges are fine, the issue might be a clogged printhead, which prevents ink from flowing properly.
Run a Printhead Cleaning: Most HP printers have a built-in function to clean the printhead, which can help resolve ink flow issues.
- From the printer’s control panel, go to Settings > Tools or Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
- Alternatively, you can use the HP Smart app or HP Printer Assistant on your computer to run the cleaning process.
Perform a Deep Cleaning: If the regular cleaning doesn't fix the issue, you might want to try a deep cleaning cycle. This will use more ink but can be more effective at clearing stubborn clogs in the printhead.
Manually Clean the Printhead:
- Turn off the printer and unplug it.
- Open the cartridge access door.
- Carefully remove the ink cartridges.
- Take a dampened cloth (with water or isopropyl alcohol) and gently wipe the printhead (the metal parts where the ink nozzles are). Be careful not to damage the delicate printhead.
- Allow the printhead to dry completely before reinstalling the cartridges.
Step 3: Print a Diagnostic or Test Page
Sometimes a test page or diagnostic report can help identify exactly which color(s) are not printing.
- On the printer’s control panel, go to Settings > Print Quality > Print Quality Report or Print Test Page.
- Check the results carefully to see which colors are missing or incomplete.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Rachel571
HP Support
Sneha_01- HP support