My Printer won't print black ink

[Mike6968P]

I have a HP Officejet Pro 6968. It will print the colors but won't print the black. Have replaced the cartridge, gone through the clean printhead process several times with no success. What should I do now?

[Alden4]

Hi @Mike6968P,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 is not printing black ink even after replacing the cartridge and cleaning the printhead multiple times, try the following steps to further diagnose and resolve the issue.

Check the Ink Cartridge Installation

• Ensure the black ink cartridge is securely installed in the correct slot.
• Verify that you have removed any protective tape from the cartridge's printhead.

Inspect the Vent on the Ink Cartridge

• Remove the black cartridge and check for clogged or blocked vents on top of the cartridge.
• If the vent is clogged, gently clean it with a pin or a soft cloth.

Perform a Manual Cleaning of the Printhead

If the automated cleaning did not help, try cleaning the printhead manually:

1. Remove the ink cartridges from the printer.
2. Gently wipe the copper-colored contacts on the printhead with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
3. Reinstall the cartridges and try printing again.

Align the Printhead

Run the printer's Printhead Alignment tool from the settings menu. Misaligned printheads can cause issues with black ink.

Reset the Printer

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug it from the power source and wait for at least 60 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes clear errors.

Test with a Printhead Cleaning Solution

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue:

1. Remove the printhead (refer to your printer’s manual for instructions).
2. Soak the printhead in warm, distilled water or a specialized printhead cleaning solution for about 10 minutes.
3. Let it dry completely before reinstalling it.

Update or Reinstall Printer Firmware

Ensure the printer firmware is up-to-date, as outdated firmware can cause printing problems. Visit the HP Support Website to check for updates.

Perform a Printer Diagnostic

Run the Print Quality Diagnostic test from the printer’s settings or HP Smart App. This will indicate if the black ink nozzles are blocked or damaged.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support