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Archived This topic has been archived.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.

‎03-27-2017 02:26 PM

HP Recommended
Product: HP Photosmart 5525

I recently replaced all of my printer's ink cartridges. Now, printing in black is streaky (horizontal) and I've worked through the steps to clean the printhead and realign the printer. 

 

Every forum and even the support page says that there are "3 stages" to cleaning the printhead, and that you should complete all three and wait 30 minutes before doing the 3 steps again. 

 

This is very unclear. If all I'm doing is selecting "clean printhead" and letting it run, how is that three steps? Am I missing something? 

 

Can someone clarify? I feel like this should be clearer on the support page. 

1 REPLY 1

‎03-27-2017 04:57 PM

HP Recommended

Sorry things were not clear.  The printer actually has three levels of printhead cleaning.  If you perform a cleaning it will do the first level.  If you do another cleaning within a short time it will do the second level, then the third level if another cleaning is requested.  While they are all initiated the same way they do different levels in the printer.

 

The troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve black not printing on your Photosmart 5525.  

 

If the standard troubleshooting did not resolve black not printing I would suggest removing the black cartridge.  Turn it over and examine the area around the ink port.  There are four orange plastic spots, left over from the protective cap.  Make sure these are flush with the cartridge body, if not carefully trim them flush.  If the plastic nubs protrude they can prevent the cartridge from seating properly.  Before replacing the cartridge in the printer dribble a few (maybe four) drops of hot water into the ink port in the printer and two drops into the ink port on the cartridge then snap the cartridge back in position.  

 

It may also help to manually clean the printhead as described in the post here. 

 

I have also seen cases where leaving the printer overnight after the cleaning cycles allows black to recover. 

 

If none of the above restores black printing your printer will likely require repair or replacement.

 

 


Bob Headrick,  HP Expert

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

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