only yellow ink is printing

[katjane720-_]

I have used the Clean Printhead tool twice. The magenta and blue color does not show up. 

I have printed the Status Report the show's there is ink. And yes, I have purchased a new HP Cartridge. When I print anything, YELLOW is the dominant color.

Please advise. Thank you.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @katjane720-_,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please share the model name of your device?

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

[katjane720-_]

sorry I forgot that   It is an Hp Photosmart 5520

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @katjane720-_,

Thank you for the response.

I understand your HP Photosmart 5520 is printing only in yellow even after cleaning the printhead and replacing the ink cartridges. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

a. Check Ink Cartridges

Make sure all cartridges are genuine HP and have sufficient ink.

Remove each cartridge and inspect the nozzles — ensure there’s no dried ink or tape left on the copper contacts.

Wipe the contacts gently with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water, then reinstall them firmly.

b. Run Printhead Cleaning Again (Deep Cleaning)

On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup → Tools → Clean Printhead.

Run the cleaning cycle up to three times if needed, with a 15–20 minute gap between cycles.

After each cycle, print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page to check improvement.

c. Check for Clogged Nozzles

Print the Printer Status Report.

If cyan or magenta blocks are missing or faded, the printhead may be partially clogged.

Perform a manual printhead cleaning: remove the cartridges, then lightly blot the printhead (the area where ink sprays out) on a damp paper towel until all colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) show evenly.

d. Align the Printhead

From the control panel, go to Setup → Tools → Align Printhead.

Follow the prompts to complete the alignment and print the alignment page.

e. Update Printer Firmware (if connected to Wi-Fi)

Go to Setup → Web Services → Product Updates and check for any available updates.

Installing the latest firmware may help correct color detection or ink flow issues.

f. Use Plain Paper for Testing

Ensure you’re using plain white paper in the main tray. Glossy or coated papers can sometimes interfere with color output during cleaning or testing.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,