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Archived This topic has been archived. Information and links in this thread may no longer be available or relevant. If you have a question create a new topic by clicking here and select the appropriate board.

‎02-17-2017 12:56 PM

HP Recommended
Product: HP720C
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP

I have tried 2 printers (720C) and 2 sets of HP ink cartridges.  My computer only prints in pint on "best color" or does not print at all or faintly even on a b & w setting.  I have reinstalled my 720C program.  Is the problem in the computer?  If so, what can I do?  Thx

3 REPLIES 3

‎02-17-2017 02:11 PM

HP Recommended

The likely cause of only pink (magenta) printing is due to old old cartridges.  You could verify the carriages are at issue by gently blotting the printhead on a damp tissue.  A good black cartridge would give a strong blot of black, a good color cartridge would give a strong stripe of cyan, magenta and yellow.

 

You could eliminate the computer as part of the issue by printing a rudimentary test page as follows:  turn on the printer.  Press and hold the power button, then quickly press and release the formfeed button four times, then release the power button.  

 

If the page is blank, or only has magenta nozzle patterns you may be able to recover the cartridges by getting two coffee cups.  Put 2" of hot water in the cup, then dip the cartridges nozzles down in separate cups.  Let the cartridge sit for ten minutes, then remove and dry the cartridge contacts with a lint free wipe - a clean coffee filter works well for this. Put the cartridges back in the printer and try printing a new nozzle pattern.  If you have a toolbox available it may also help to run up to three celaning cycles.


Bob Headrick,  HP Expert

I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.

If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button 

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‎02-17-2017 02:39 PM

HP Recommended

I bought new HP ink cartridges and tried them also.  I did try the power procedure also.  I do have a toolbox available but it is telling me I have a driver missing or corrupted and not letting me into the toolbox.  It does not specify what driver and I have downloaded drivers from HP for the printer using XP.  I am stumped.  I have not tried the hot water with the cartridges since I bought new ones.

‎02-17-2017 02:58 PM

HP Recommended

The cartridges would have a warranty date on the package or printed on the cartridge, see the document here for information.  For the color cartridge typically yellow and/or cyan failure happens with cartridges that have been stored for years.  What is the end of warranty date on the cartridges?

 

Did you try blotting the cartridges on a damp tissue?


Bob Headrick,  HP Expert

I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.

If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button 

If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.


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