hp 5510 won't print black before and after installing new cartridge. have done specified checks.

[eute56]

HP Photosmart 5510 won't print black before and after installing new cartridge.  Have done specified checks.

[Shane_R]

What OS are you using?

How is the printer connected to the computer?

If you make a copy from the printer, will that print black?

[eute56]

Mac OS Version 10.6.8, wireless connection, won't print black either from printer or computer.

[Rudy1906]

eute56, it seems that you have a hardware issue with your black ink cartridge. Here is a document below that may help you with this problem.

http://goo.gl/OTmPV

Let me know if this helps, and if you have any questions, please ask.

[eute56]

I have done all of the steps listed in http://goo.gl/OTmPV with no appearance of black print.  Any other suggestions?

[Rudy1906]

Another suggestion would be to manually clean the print head.

1. When you take each cartridge out, it is a LEVER to the right of the basket.
2. Lift LEVER and take basket area out. This is your print head.
3. Clean with damped lint free cloth, and re-install.

If this step does not work, you may have to contact HP Total Care (1800-474-6836), and could get a replacement print head.

Let me know if this helps.

[eute56]

I removed all print cartridges and do no see a "lever" to remove the basket that holds the cartridges.  I did pull upward on a bar at the lower right hand corner of the basket but stopped short of applying much force since it did not seem to be a release lever.  Are you speaking of the procedure to manually clean the print heads of the 5510?

[Rudy1906 · Accepted solution]

Yes, I was referring to cleaning the printhead manually. I see that the 5510 does not have the option to manually take out the printhead.

You can click on your SETUP menu on your screen and go to TOOLS, and clean print head from there.

If this doesn't resolve your issue, you may need a print head replacement.
Contact HP Total Care (1800-474-6836), and if your unit is in warranty, its free of charge.

Let me know if this helps, thanks.

[eute56]

Rudy--thank you for your help.  I did an online chat with Monica at HP and they agree that here must be a defective print head.  They are sending a replacement printer via warranty.

[MLB99]

Very disappointed with printer quality.

Had Photosmart 5510 for 15 months when it stopped printing black but all ccolors & alignment were fine. Replacing cartridge and cleaning  printhead did not solve problem. HP support response was essentially "tough luck " out of 1 year warranty. We no longer repair printers anymore as repair cost is greater than new purchase.

New discounted printer selling for $100 and refurbished units for $70. Two sets of color cartridges cost as much as the printer!