Black ink not printing or printing grey

[Sue-tas]

Hi , have a printer, been going fine and had many ink changes, but this last time when I changed cartriges the black ink is not printing or only printing grey colour, and only if it is big writting.

I have aligned and cleaned printer as usual, even took carttidge back out and manually cleaned.

Anyone have any ideas?

[DavidSMP]

@Sue-tas,

Good Day.  Thank you for posting your query in the HP community.  I read the post regarding assistance with black not printing correctly.  I will be delighted to assist you here.

Superb description and spectacular troubleshooting and commendable diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that. 🙂

To assist you with accurate information I would require more information regarding this:

• Did this happen after a power outage or surge?
• Did you make any changes to the printer’s settings?
• Did you make copies directly from the printer and check again?
• Please provide the operating system associated with the printer. Is it Windows or Mac?

For now, please try these steps:

• Please make 2 copies in black directly from the printer, without any communication from the computer.
• Check if it copies in black correctly.
• If it does not copy in black and does so in greyscale then perform all the prescribed steps from this link: http://hp.care/2F9yDkl (HP Deskjet F2400 All-in-One Printer Series - Troubleshooting Print-Quality Issues) if it has not been done already and check if the issue gets resolved.

If it continues, then the problem is with a faulty black cartridge that needs to be replaced by contacting HP phone support.

HP Technical Support can be reached by clicking on the following link: http://hp.care/2moMFSc  

(1) Once the support page opens please select the country in which you're located. Next, enter your HP model number on the right.

(2) Next, choose the 'Contact Support' tab at the top and scroll down to the bottom of the 'HP Support- Contact' page to fill out the form provided with your contact information.

(3) Once completed click the 'Show Options' icon on the bottom right.

(4) Lastly, scroll down to the bottom of the page and select 'Get phone number.' A case number and phone number will now populate for you.

They will be happy to assist you immediately.

If the unit is under warranty, the manufacturer’s warranty should take care of it for you.

I am being honest about it by keeping your best interest in mind without beating around the bush. As long as the printer has no hardware issues, replacing the cartridge should do the trick. Otherwise, the printer needs to be replaced.

If it copies in black correctly then perform a root level uninstallation and reinstallation of the printer drivers and it should fix the issue if the OS is Windows:

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Remove all instances of the same.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers.
• Restart the PC again.

Then download the latest full feature driver from http://hp.care/2Fbjwan and install it on the computer after selecting the correct operating system.

• Connect the printer to your computer only when the setup prompts for the printer.
• This should fix it for you.
• If this does not do the trick, please download the Windows Built-in drivers by following instructions from this link: http://hp.care/2o3acvH
• This should take care of it.
• For further assistance to print in black follow instructions from this printer settings link: http://hp.care/2FbyZXY (HP Inkjet Printers - Printing with Black Ink Only (Windows)
• Also check this link: http://hp.care/2FcRnzx to change the printer settings. (HP Printers - Print Driver Settings Guide (Windows) Look up the section under "Color and black & white settings"

Good luck and keep me posted.

Please perform all these steps patiently as it is critical to resolving the issue. The trick is to remain patient.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care and have a blessed week ahead. 🙂

Cheers!