Ink System Failure Error Code 0xc19a0013 HP Officejet 6500a

[Sue_S-S]

Printer stopped printing in black ink: get a grey tone or no printing.  Getting above ink system failure error. 

Reviewed help pages and have installed new black ink cartridge, check seating of all cartridges, cleaned printhead through the tools menu, removed printhead and cleaned it manually, unplugged power source etc. Reviewed the responses on the forum pages. Ran HP Print and Scan Doctor.  Before I investigate purchasing a new printhead or a new printer, any other suggestions? It is only the black ink.  I ran a test page and black ink box is interesting: instead of going from darkest to lightest it goes from light to dark to light again.  Many thanks, Sue S-S

[Ciara_B]

So when you removed the printhead, did you soak it? (or just clean the electrical flex)?

[Sue_S-S]

Have not tried that. Will do and will let you know (and provide kudos) if successful. Thanks for the rapid response. Sue

[Ciara_B · Accepted solution]

You're welcome Sue

See Bob's post below on soaking the printhead....

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Other-printing-questions/Photosmart-Premium-c309a-Black-prints-out-gree...

1) Get a pan and put 1/2" of very hot (not boiling) water in the bottom.
2) Next remove all the ink cartridges, then remove the printhead assembly.
3) Gently put the printhead nozzles down in the water and let it soak for five minutes.
4) Remove the printhead and gently dry the electrical contacts.
5) Put the printhead back in the printer and then reinstall the ink cartridges.

[Sue_S-S]

Yup, I had reviewed the instructions yesterday and soaked it this AM. Am running the clean printhead from tools - on my third pass, but no success yet. 

[Sue_S-S]

Ran the clean printheads three times.

Ran the Print and Scan Doctor, which indicates the everything is working (yesterday the device status was not working).

Ran the print test page and getting the same finding: the first of the black columns is gray scale (left side), the middle is darker and the final column (right side) is lighter than the middle but darker than the first column. 

Should I soak again?  Thanks, Sue

[Ciara_B]

Hi Sue, could you maybe post a photo of the Test Page? Just want to see if it looks like it's starting to recover.

Thanks

Ciara

[Sue_S-S]

Trying, but I can't seem to upload. 

[Sue_S-S]

I can't seem to upload the picture.  "Insert/edit image" won't work. Can copy/paste or drag/drop.  Let me know if you have other suggestions.  The picture doesn't look any better.  I can put it on a google doc or email it if that would help. I will try to soak again.  Sue

[Sue_S-S]

I soaked the printhead two more times in hot water for 10 minutes, until the water was a light black.  It is now working. Thank you for all your help!! Sue