Black Ink No Longer Working after changing cartridge

[jakelamotta]

hp envy 6400

switched cartridge from hp 67 black to a new hp 67 black and black ink no longer prints black ink. tried all the troubleshooting suggestions from other threads. cleaned the printheads with the hp software and manually. also manually cleaned the cartridge. this is the 2nd of these POS 6400s that has broken on me in 2 months. really want to smash both of these pieces of junk with a baseball bat like in office space

[Sneha_01]

Hi @jakelamotta,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds incredibly frustrating to deal with recurring issues like this, especially with a new cartridge. Here’s a detailed approach to troubleshoot the black ink problem on your HP Envy 6400:

1. Verify Cartridge Installation

• Check Cartridge Placement: Make sure the black ink cartridge is properly seated in its slot. Sometimes, cartridges may appear installed correctly but aren’t fully engaged.

2. Check Ink Levels

• Ink Levels: Confirm that the new cartridge is indeed full. Occasionally, new cartridges can be defective or not filled properly.

3. Inspect the Cartridge

• Protective Tape: Ensure that you removed any protective tape or plastic covering from the cartridge before installation.
• No Leaks: Check for any leaks or damage on the cartridge.

4. Perform Printhead Cleaning

• Automatic Cleaning: Run the printhead cleaning process through the printer’s software. You mentioned you’ve done this, but it’s worth trying it again if you haven’t done multiple cleanings.
• Manual Cleaning: If you’re comfortable, you can manually clean the printhead. Use a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol to clean the printhead contacts and the area where the cartridge sits.

5. Align the Printhead

• Alignment: Perform a printhead alignment using the printer’s software. This can help resolve issues with print quality.

6. Print a Test Page

• Test Page: Print a diagnostic or test page to see if the black ink appears. This will help you determine if the issue is with the cartridge or the printer itself.

7. Check Printer Settings

• Print Settings: Make sure that the printer settings are configured correctly. Ensure you are not printing in a mode that uses only color inks or has black and white settings that might be causing the issue.

8. Update or Reinstall Drivers

• Driver Update: Ensure that your printer drivers are up to date. Visit the HP website to download the latest drivers for your model.
• Reinstall Drivers: Sometimes reinstalling the drivers can resolve issues with printing.

9. Try a Different Cartridge

• Different Cartridge: If possible, try using a different brand or batch of black ink cartridges. It could be that the new cartridge you installed is defective.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support