why does my hp officejet 6100 eprinter only print cyan?

[jg1442]

I bought a hp officejet 6100 eprinter from a local electronics thrift store and haven't been able to get it working in a number of ways. Right now I'm just focusing on getting the colors right. I've cleaned the printhead multiple times, but it still only ever prints cyan--no black, magenta or yellow anywhere. Is this printer a lost cause? I've been at this for weeks with no luck in changing anything.

[Raj_05]

Hi @jg1442,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

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

It's unfortunate that you're experiencing issues with your HP OfficeJet 6100 ePrinter. While I can't provide a definitive solution without more information, I can offer some troubleshooting steps to help you address the color printing problem.

• Check Ink Levels: Ensure that all the ink cartridges have sufficient ink levels. You can check this through the printer software or the printer control panel.
• Verify Cartridge Installation: Make sure that the ink cartridges are installed correctly. Refer to the printer manual or HP's online resources for guidance on proper installation.
• Clean Printheads: Since you've already cleaned the printhead, ensure that you followed the cleaning process correctly. Sometimes, multiple cleaning cycles may be required. You can initiate printhead cleaning through the printer software or the control panel.
• Update Printer Firmware: Ensure that your printer has the latest firmware installed. You can check for firmware updates on the HP support website and follow the instructions provided to update the firmware.
• Use Genuine HP Cartridges: Using genuine HP ink cartridges is essential for optimal performance. Generic or third-party cartridges may not work correctly or could cause printing issues.
• Perform a Print Quality Diagnostic Test: Most printers have a built-in diagnostic test or print quality report. Use this feature to identify if the issue is related to specific colors. Refer to your printer manual for instructions on how to initiate a print quality test.
• Check Color Settings: Ensure that your print settings are configured correctly. Check both the printer settings on your computer and any settings on the printer control panel to make sure color options are set appropriately.
• Reinstall Printer Drivers: Uninstall the printer drivers from your computer and reinstall them. You can download the latest drivers from the official HP website.

If you've exhausted all these options and the problem persists, it's possible that there may be a hardware issue with the printer.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support