printing blank pages

[achc]

My HP OfficeJet 6100 is printing blank pages after replacing the blank and color ink cartridges.  It sounds like it's going to print, but only a blank page comes out.  Anyone know what the problem could be?  Thank you!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @achc 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like your HP OfficeJet 6100 might be experiencing a printhead issue or an ink flow problem after replacing the cartridges. Here are some steps to troubleshoot:

 

Check Ink Levels

• Ensure that both black and color cartridges have sufficient ink.
• If the ink appears full but isn’t printing, try reseating the cartridges.

Remove and Reinstall Cartridges

• Open the printer’s front panel and carefully remove both cartridges.
• Wipe the gold contacts with a lint-free cloth and reinstall them securely.

Perform a Printhead Cleaning

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Clean Printheads.
• Run multiple cleaning cycles if necessary.

Reset the Printer

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

Check for Firmware Updates

• HP may have released a fix for this issue.
• Visit HP’s support page and check for any new firmware updates.

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor (For Windows Users)

• Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor to diagnose cartridge-related problems.
• Get it here.

If the issue persists, the printhead may need manual cleaning or replacement. Let me know if you need further guidance!

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[achc]

I've tried everything you've said and it's still printing blank pages.  I have noticed that the ink cartridge levels are decreasing, even though they were brand new and no black or color ink is printing out!  This is extremely frustrating - the ink cartridges are not cheap and they're being wasted with nothing printing!

How would I do a manual cleaning of the printhead? 

[Hawks_Eye]

@achc 

I hear your frustration—wasting ink without getting any prints is beyond annoying. Since you've tried everything else, a manual printhead cleaning might be the best next step.

 

How to Manually Clean the Printhead on HP OfficeJet 6100

Remove the Printhead

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Open the cartridge access door and remove the ink cartridges.
• Lift the printhead latch and carefully remove the printhead.

Clean the Printhead Contacts

• Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water.
• Gently wipe the copper-colored contacts on the printhead.
• Avoid touching the nozzles directly.

Soak the Printhead (If Needed)

• Fill a shallow dish with warm distilled water (about 1 cm deep).
• Place the printhead nozzle-side down in the water for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove and let it air dry for 10 minutes before reinstalling.

Reinstall the Printhead & Cartridges

• Place the printhead back into the printer and secure the latch.
• Reinsert the ink cartridges and close the access door.
• Plug in the printer and turn it on.

Run a Printhead Cleaning Cycle

• Open HP Smart or HP Printer Assistant on your computer.
• Navigate to Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead and follow the prompts.

Let me know if this helps—hopefully, this gets your printer back to working properly!
 

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[achc]

The problem now is how do you:

• "Lift the printhead latch and carefully remove the printhead" - we do NOT see a printhead latch to be able to remove it!  There is a ribbon that goes through the whole housing of the print head, so it doesn't look like it's possible to take out.

Thanks again for your continued help.

[Hawks_Eye]

@achc 

It sounds like your printer model might have a non-removable printhead, which is why you’re not seeing a latch. Some HP printers have fixed printheads, meaning they can’t be manually removed like older models. Instead, cleaning and resetting are the primary troubleshooting steps.

Steps to Try

Run a Printhead Cleaning Cycle

• Open HP Smart or your printer’s control panel.
• Navigate to Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
• Run the cleaning process and print a test page.

Check for Ink Flow Issues

• If the ink tanks are low or clogged, refill them and perform a deep cleaning cycle.
• Ensure there are no air bubbles in the ink tubes.

Perform a Hard Reset

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and restart.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye