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Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.
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HP OfficeJet 8015e All-in-One Printer
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Why did 8015e prints stop printing in black but does in color.  Black cartridge 1/3 full and printed document just prior to not printing in black.

3 REPLIES 3
HP Recommended

Hi @SLStan,

 

Welcome to HP Support Community,

 

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

 

Check the Ink Cartridge

  • Remove and Reinstall the Black Cartridge:
    • Turn off the printer and unplug it.
    • Open the printer’s ink cartridge access door.
    • Remove the black ink cartridge and check for any signs of ink leakage or clogs.
    • Reinstall the cartridge firmly, ensuring it’s properly seated in place.
  • Ensure Ink Cartridge is Not Dry:
    • If the cartridge is near the end of its life (even though it’s 1/3 full), it might be drying out or clogged.
    • Run a cleaning cycle (next step) to help clear any blockages.
  • Inspect Cartridge for Obstructions:
    • Check if the cartridge’s protective tape was removed properly before installation.
    • Make sure the cartridge is not damaged.

Run the Printer’s Cleaning Cycle

Sometimes the printhead can become clogged, especially with black ink.

  • Via the Printer's Control Panel:
    1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup or Settings.
    2. Look for Printer Maintenance or Tools.
    3. Choose the Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges option.
    4. Wait for the printer to complete the cleaning process and then print a test page.
  • Via the HP Smart App:
    1. Open the HP Smart app on your computer or mobile device.
    2. Select your printer, go to Printer Settings, and choose Printer Maintenance.
    3. Select Clean Printhead.

Check Print Settings

  • Ensure the Printer Is Set to Print in Black:
    1. Open the document you want to print.
    2. In the Print Settings, ensure that the printer is set to print using Black ink and not "Color" or "Grayscale" if color printing is not needed.
    3. Try printing in Black and White to check if the black ink cartridge is working.

Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

Perform a Print Quality Diagnostic

This can help you identify if there are any printhead issues that need attention.

Via the Printer’s Control Panel:

  1. Open the printer’s settings.
  2. Select Tools, then choose Print Quality Report.
  3. Examine the printout. If the black sections are missing or streaked, it indicates an issue with the printhead or cartridge.

Via HP Smart App:

  1. Open the HP Smart app.
  2. Select Print Quality Report from the printer maintenance section.
  3. Analyze the report for any missing or faded black areas.

Check the Printer Driver

Sometimes outdated or incorrect printer drivers can cause printing issues.

Update Printer Drivers:

  1. Go to the HP Support website.
  2. Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers.
  3. Install the new drivers and restart your computer.

Reinstall the Printer:

  1. On your computer, go to Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click your printer and select Remove Device.
  3. Unplug the printer, restart your computer, then plug the printer back in and reinstall it using the latest drivers.

Check for Firmware Updates

Firmware issues can affect print quality.

Update the Printer’s Firmware:

  1. Visit HP’s official support page.
  2. Download and install the latest firmware update for your printer.
  3. Follow the instructions to apply the update.

Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

Test Print Using a Different Document

  • Print a different document to rule out the possibility that the issue is related to the specific file or application you are using.

Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor (Windows)

The HP Print and Scan Doctor tool can automatically detect and fix many printing issues.

  1. Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor from the HP website.
  2. Install and run the tool.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to troubleshoot the issue.

Try a New Black Ink Cartridge

  • If all else fails and the black ink still does not print, try replacing the black cartridge with a new one, as the existing cartridge could be faulty despite being partially full.

Perform a Hard Reset

  • Sometimes a hard reset can clear up technical glitches.
  1. Turn off the printer.
  2. Unplug the power cord from the printer and wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Additional Considerations:

  • Wi-Fi or Connectivity Issues: If your printer is connected over Wi-Fi, ensure there are no connectivity issues that might be causing printing problems.
  • Software or Application Conflicts: Sometimes the issue could be caused by software conflicts. Try printing from a different application or device.

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

 

Take care and have a good day. 

 

Problem solved? 🎉 Awesome! Mark this as the Accepted Solution to help the next person find their way faster. 🧭 And if it was helpful, click 'yes'—you’ll make someone’s search journey that much easier (and give this reply some well-deserved street cred 🏅)

 

Regards,

Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee

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