HP Smart Tank 6001 won't print black ink

[JeffTBS]

I have tried all of these solutions listed on the HP support app (such as cleaning the print heads) and it is still not printing black ink. It worked for 2 months then suddenly stopped printing black ink.  Printer is only 3 months old and not used that often.  Suddenly it stopped printing anything black. If it’s hardware issues, wouldn’t that fall under warranty? How do I get this serviced?  Best Buy says I have to deal with HP directly.

[Max3Aj]

@JeffTBS, Welcome to the HP Support Community – it’s great to have you here!

I appreciate you taking the time to share your question. I'm more than happy to assist with this and provide a solution that works for you.

I understand your HP Smart Tank 6001 has stopped printing black ink despite trying the recommended steps like cleaning the printheads. Since your printer is only 3 months old and was working fine earlier, let’s walk through a few additional steps to help resolve this issue.

Check Ink Levels

Make sure the black ink tank is sufficiently filled. Low ink levels can cause printing issues.

• On the printer control panel, tap the Ink icon to view estimated ink levels.
• If the black tank is low, refill it using genuine HP ink. Non-HP ink may cause print quality issues.

Check for Printhead Issues

Even after cleaning, the black printhead might be clogged or defective.

• Try deep cleaning the printhead using the HP Smart app:
  • Open the HP Smart app.
  • Go to your printer > Tools > Clean Printheads.
  • Run the cleaning cycle and print a test page.

If the issue persists, consider replacing the black printhead. HP Smart Tank printers use user-replaceable printheads.

Reset the Printer

A simple reset can sometimes fix internal errors.

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug the power cord from the printer and wall outlet.
• Wait 60 seconds.
• Plug the power cord back in and turn on the printer.

Check Print Settings

Ensure the print job is set to use black ink.

• Go to Print > Preferences in your application.
• Make sure Black & White or Grayscale is selected if printing in black.
• Check that the correct paper type is selected.

Run HP Smart App/HP App’s Diagnose & Fix Tool

This tool can automatically detect and fix common issues.

• Open the HP Smart app.
• Click Diagnose & Fix (bottom left on Windows or under Printers menu on macOS).
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

HP Smart Tank 6000, 7000, 7300 Printers - Color or black ink not printing, other print quality issue...

I hope your issue is now resolved. If not, feel free to reply and we’ll continue helping until everything’s sorted!

If the post helped, please click “Accepted Solution” to help other users easily find it. And if you’d like to say thanks, just tap the “Yes” button!

Cheers,

Max3Aj

HP Support