only the Black ink not printing

[Gina-74]

Hi. I have a Photosmart 5515 printer (sadly too  old, so no warranty) and have just replaced my black cartridge with genuine brand-new HP 364 because the old black ink cartridge will not print though their ink levels were all OK, the pages were coming out fairly blank.   I have  run the various print test pages via the 'Tools' options.    When I replaced the cartridge and ran the same reports (as well as cleaning print-heads etc) the print quality was still very faint.  The Print Quality Diagnostic report however seems to print all OK (??), except for the black rectangle which shows no black.   But when I try to print anything, at best I get a little blue shading on the page, but nothing at all that is readable.  I have also gone through the whole 'HP Deskjet, Photosmart 55215 Printers - Black or Colour Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues' document and followed all the instructions there-in, but the result unfortunately remains the same.  I have also now fitted a 2nd brand new HP 364 Black cartridge just in case the first might have been faulty, but the result is the same.   This is getting to be an expensive fault!! Any ideas please? 

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Gina-74,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you've done a thorough job troubleshooting your HP Photosmart 5515 printer, but it’s frustrating that the black ink still isn’t printing properly. Here are a few additional steps you can try to resolve the issue:
 

1. Check Printhead Contacts

• Make sure the printhead contacts (the gold or copper-colored areas) are clean. Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol to wipe them gently.
• Ensure that the contacts on the black ink cartridge are also clean.

2. Perform a Hard Reset

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes help reset any internal issues.

3. Run the Printhead Cleaning Utility Again

• Access the HP Printer Assistant on your computer.
• Go to Tools, and run the Clean Printhead utility again to ensure that any clogged nozzles are cleared.

4. Print a Test Page from the Printer

• Try printing a test page directly from the printer's control panel (not from the computer) to see if it behaves differently. This can help determine if the issue is with the printer or the computer.

5. Check for Firmware Updates Update the firmware on an HP printer

• Visit the HP support website and check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer model. Sometimes, updating the firmware can resolve printing issues.

6. Check Printer Settings

• Ensure that the printer is set to use the correct black ink setting. Sometimes printers can default to a color mode, which may affect black printing.

7. Inspect for Clogs in the Printhead

• If print quality is still an issue, it’s possible there’s a deeper clog in the printhead that isn’t resolved by regular cleaning. You might consider using a printhead cleaning solution or taking it to a service center for a professional cleaning.

8. Consider Replacement of the Printhead

• If the problem persists after all these steps, it could indicate that the printhead itself is defective or worn out. You might need to consider replacing the printhead if your printer allows for it.

9. Test with a Different Device

• If possible, try connecting the printer to a different computer to rule out any software or driver-related issues.

Refer to this document: HP Photosmart 5515 e-All-in-One Printer - B111h user manual 

Troubleshooting Print Quality Problems with HP Inkjet Printers
 

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.