envy 5530 won't print

gretchen131 · ‎04-02-2016

Been using the Envy 5530 wireless printer for almost two years with no problems. Yesterday printed one document fine and then the second document wouldn't print. It sounds like it will print and the paper goes through without any print on it. Ink cartridges are full. Read outside trouble shoot postings which suggested printing a photo which works. Just won't print word docs or pdf. Have uninstalled, reinstalled software and driver but still the printer gets the message to print and paper goes through blank.

Someone suggested uninstalling 5530 and installing 5531 but when I tried that the computer doesn't detect 5531 and won't let me download driver. Another posting ( from HP) suggested a multistep process including going into temp files - seriously - I don't even know where they are.

A friend ( Mac User) wondered if it's the operating system telling the printer to print only JPEG files.

I'm stumped! Any ideas that don't involve having an engineer degree .

Thanks

gretchen131

Bob_Headrick · ‎04-02-2016

The troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve print issues with your HP Envy 5530 printer.

It sounds like your black cartridge is not printing properly. If photo paper is selected in the driver it will use the color cartridge even to print black.

You could verify the issue is not with the driver by making a B&W copy from the printer. This does not use the computer. I suspect the page will be blank.

Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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gretchen131 · ‎04-02-2016

Bob, Thanks for your suggestion. I tried copying a document on the printer and it printed a blank sheet. I went into the set preferences and changed the paper type from plain paper to photo paper . Next I printed a document and voila it worked.

That's the good news but the printing takes longer and the printing quality is lighter than a document should be.

So how do I get the black cartridge to print correctly so I can go back to 'plain paper' ? The problem started with the old cartridge and continues with the new cartridge.

gretchen131

Bob_Headrick · ‎04-02-2016

I would suggest going through the troubleshooting steps in the document here. If this does not resolve the issue remove the black cartridge and gently blot it on a damp tissue. A good cartrdige would have a very strong dark blot. If there is no blot at all make sure the protective tape has been removed - I have seen cases where the pull tab pulls off and leaves the tape covering the nozzles.

Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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gretchen131 · ‎04-02-2016

HI Bob,

Tried the troubleshooting and blotted the cartridge which showed a line of black ink. Then I tried cleaning the printhead and a row of six colored squares printed but NO black anything. I also did a print alighnment and blue and black rows of various rectangles printed and below the a red Caution sign and a red arrow with IMPORTANT pointing to a very faded black line. So do you think it's the black printhead that is the problem.

Thanks.

gretchen131

Bob_Headrick · ‎04-02-2016

The black printhead is built into the black ink cartridge. Ink showing up on the tissue means the nozzles are not clogged, there is not tape residue blocking the printhead and there is ink in the cartridge. Ink not showing up at all on the printhead cleaning page would indicate a possible electrical failure in the drive electronics for the black cartridge, but if black IS printing on the alignment page it would contradict that.

Can you scan the alignment page and post the results here?

Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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gretchen131 · ‎04-02-2016

Here is the alignment page.

Bob_Headrick · ‎04-02-2016

The gray/black blocks are actually printed by the color cartridge mixing to make black.

I would suggest you remove the color cartridge and run the printer in single cartridge mode as described on page 49 of the user manual here. Next run three cleaning cycles from the front panel or toolbox, then try printing a text page with just the black cartridge installed. Does the result have any black at all on the page?

(You will not want to leave the color cartridge out of the printer for more than a half hour.)

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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gretchen131 · ‎04-02-2016

So sorry but the printer achingly tries to print but the page remains blank.

Bob_Headrick · ‎04-02-2016

If the page is completely blank then likely there is an electrical issue with the printer. If there are any traces of printing with the black cartridge only there there would be some hope a different cartridge may resolve the issue.

You could remove the black cartridge and print with only the color cartridge installed. This would use the color cartridge to print black and color.

Is your printer still in warranty? You can check with HP's warranty tool here.

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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