printing issue

[Janie321]

the printer has started to print colors of green and black when it is only supposed to be printing black.  The cartridges are fine but we have been away for 5 months .  Do the cartridges dry up on their own without any usage?  It was printing fine when we first arrived a couple of weeks ago but not so now.  Suggestions?  Change all cartridges? I did run a print quality diagnostic page and possibly clean print heads.  what does that entail?

Thanks,

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@Janie321, Hi there, and welcome to HP Support Community!

Thank you for reaching out with your concern. I'm glad to assist you today.

It sounds like your printer may be experiencing ink flow or printhead issues due to prolonged inactivity. Yes, ink cartridges, especially color ones can dry up or clog if left unused for several months. Even if they were printing fine initially, dried ink can gradually affect output quality.

Here are some steps to help resolve the issue:

Run the Print Quality Diagnostic Page

You’ve already done this, great start! This page helps identify which colors are misbehaving and whether the issue is with the cartridges or the printhead.

Clean the Printhead

Cleaning the printhead helps unclog dried ink and restore proper flow. You can do this from the printer’s control panel or HP software:

Using HP Smart App/HP App (Windows/macOS):

1. Open the HP Smart app.
2. Select your printer.
3. Go to Printer Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead.

Using Printer Control Panel:

1. Navigate to Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

You may need to run the cleaning cycle 2–3 times for best results.

Check Ink Levels & Cartridge Health

Even if cartridges look fine, they may be partially dried or expired. Try the following:

• Remove and gently shake each cartridge.
• Inspect for dried ink or leaks.
• Reinstall and ensure they’re seated properly.

If the issue persists, consider replacing all cartridges, especially if they’re older. 

Align the Printhead

After cleaning, run a printhead alignment:

• From the printer menu or HP Smart app, go to Tools > Align Printhead.

If the suggestions helped solve the problem, please let us know by clicking “Accepted Solution.” It really helps fellow users find quick answers.

A quick “Yes” also goes a long way in showing appreciation!

Take care and happy printing!

Best regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support