printer will not print black

[gg1959]

the printer will not print black

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @gg1959 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding the print quality issue(not printing in black)!  

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution. We hope our assistance has been helpful! 

The following tasks help resolve missing black ink, colors are faded or do not match the original, and lines or streaks in printouts.

Perform the following tasks in the order given. Use the printer after each task to see if the issue is resolved.

Update the printer firmware (HP Smart app)

Use Advanced Settings in the HP Smart app to check for and install firmware updates.

Open the HP Smart app, and then click the image of your printer to open the settings and management tools.

Under Advanced or Settings, click Advanced Settings to open the printer Embedded Web Server (EWS).

From the EWS home page, click the Printer Update tile. If the tile is missing, click Tools > Printer Updates > Firmware Updates.

If prompted to log in, enter the PIN from the printer label, and then click Submit. This label is typically inside the cartridge access area.
Under Check for Printer Updates, click Check Now. Any new updates automatically install.

CAUTION: Do not turn off the printer during a firmware update. This can permanently damage your printer.

For more information, go to Update the firmware on an HP printer.

Clean the printhead (HP Smart app)

Use the HP Smart app to clean the printhead and fix many print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded printouts.

Load plain white paper into the tray.

Open the HP Smart app, and then click the image of your printer to open the settings and management tools.

Under Tools, click Print Quality Tools, and then select Clean Printhead or Clean.

A Cleaning printhead message displays, and a test page prints.

Examine the print quality on the test page.

If the print quality is acceptable, you are done troubleshooting.

If the print quality is unacceptable, touch Yes in the HP Smart app to perform a second-level and third-level cleaning, which are more thorough and take a few extra minutes to complete.

Note:

Printheads that are badly clogged might require another printhead cleaning cycle. Wait at least 30 minutes before cleaning the printhead again.

Clean the ink smears (HP Smart app)

Use the HP Smart app to clean printhead contacts and improve any print quality issues.

Open the HP Smart app, and then click the image of your printer to open the settings and management tools.

Under Tools, click Alignment & Maintenance.

If the Alignment & Maintenance is not available, click Advanced Settings to open the printer Embedded Web Server (EWS), and then click Tools. Click Utilities, and then click Print Quality Toolbox.

Under Clean Up, click Clean Smear or Clean Ink Smear.

A Rib Smear cleaning in progress message displays, and the printer feeds one page slowly. The printer might make some noise for a minute before it is done.

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[Hawks_Eye]

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Check ink cartridges

Very low ink levels, using non-HP cartridges, and rough handling can cause print quality issues.

Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

Check the ink levels and replace any low or empty cartridges.

Rough handling of cartridges during transport or installation can cause print quality problems. Wait a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.

If a cartridge is bad, replace it. If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP Limited Warranty information to see if a cartridge is still in warranty.

Check the paper, print settings, and quality of the file being printed

Make sure your print job is set up for optimal print quality results.

Check the paper type and condition: Make sure the paper is appropriate for the print job and in good condition.

Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others, causing faded or smeared prints. Plain paper with ColorLok technology works well for text and documents with graphics. For photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.

Use clean, wrinkle-free paper. Wrinkled or curled paper can cause dark, horizontal defects.

Load paper according to the print side: Typically, the smoother or glossy side is the print side.

For inkjet printers with a rear load tray, load the print side facing up.

For inkjet printers with a front load tray, load the print side facing down.

Check the print job settings: From the application you are printing from, click File > Print, and then click Options, Printer Setup, or Preferences, or open the Paper Type/Quality or Media & Quality menu.

Make sure the color, paper type, paper size, and quality settings are correct for your print job.

Check the quality of the photo or document: Use editing tools to improve colors, brightness, contrast, and any other appearance settings. Higher resolution photographs and graphics result in clearer prints with more accurate colors.

Print an alignment page with the HP Smart App

Use the HP Smart app to align the printhead.

Load plain white paper into the tray.

Open the HP Smart app, and then click the image of your printer or Printer Settings.

Under Tools, click Print Quality Tools, and then select Align Printer, Align Printheads, or Align.

An Aligning printhead message displays and an alignment page prints.

If the alignment page includes instructions to scan the page, follow the instructions to finish the alignment process.

If this solution hit the spot, please come back and click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left of the public post, as that would make our day! 

Take care, and have an amazing day! 

Regards, 

Vince_0406