Black ink prints badly, color is fine

[Jeff2025]

I bought a used 8600 & the print cartridges were all gummed up. I ordered new ones & took the cartridge holder out & cleaned it; white vinegar & warm water through each print color pin where the holder pin pushes into the cartridge & exits through the print head (I saw the bubbles coming through the head but the black was a little less than the colored cartridge pins); wiped the print head with a micro fiber cloth with warm water & let it dry. Also cleaned the cleaning station as best I could since I didn't know how to take that out of the printer & didn't wanna take the whole thing apart. Does the cleaning station have a fiber pad where the print head rests to absorb the cleaning ink? I may have pushed that out when I was trying to clean the station, as I didn't feel 1 in there after trying to push a towel into the station to soak up the vinegar solution I was using to clean with. I Installed the 4 new cartridges & aligned them. The alignment page showed all 3 color cartridges printing fine but the black had horizontal lines & the big letters @ the top of the page got worse every time & cleaned the cartridges. Went through all 3 levels of cleaning. Not sure where to go next! 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Jeff2025,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Check Ink Levels

Ensure that the black ink cartridge has sufficient ink.

Perform Printhead Cleaning

Since you have already tried cleaning manually, let's try cleaning using the printer's built-in maintenance tools:

• Open the HP Utility software on your computer.
• Select your printer, and navigate to "Tools" or "Printer Maintenance".
• Perform the "Clean Printhead" function. This might take a few minutes and might need to be repeated several times to improve performance.

Align Printhead

Improper alignment can cause printing problems:

• In the HP Utility software, find the option to "Align Printhead" under the maintenance section.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Perform Printer Self-Diagnostic

You can print a test page to identify if the issue persists:

• Load unused plain white paper in the input tray.
• On the printer control panel, press the setup icon.
• Navigate to "Printer Maintenance" or "Tools".
• Select "Print Quality Report".

Update Printer Firmware

Ensure that your printer has the latest firmware installed:

Kindly refer to this link to update your printer firmware.

Verify Installation of Genuine HP Cartridges

Make sure the ink cartridges you are using are genuine HP products. Third-party or refilled cartridges might not work properly.

Replace the Printhead

If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, the printhead might need to be replaced. The printhead can become damaged or worn over time.

Restart Printer

As a last resort, restart your printer:

• Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about 60 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Jeff2025]

Thanks for the reply. I did the onboard clean printhead utilities 3 times or through level 3 as it suggests & the lines in the black ink part of the print page after cleaning just kept getting worse. All 4 cartridges are brand new & ink levels show full. 

I’ve also tried all the utilities; align print cartridges was bad after I did the 3 levels of cleaning & did the self diagnostics.

I would imaging that if all 3 color cartridges print fine, the print head is Ok, correct? 

I’ll try the firmware update & let you know if that works. If you have any other thoughts, please let me know. Thanks. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Jeff2025,

Thanks for the detailed follow-up, you're really putting in the work, and I appreciate your thorough approach!

You're absolutely right, if all three color cartridges are printing cleanly, it does suggest the printhead isn't completely clogged. However, it’s very possible that the black ink nozzle portion of the printhead is still partially blocked, and that’s separate from the color channels.

Here are some advanced steps you can try

Manual Soaking of the Printhead (for stubborn black nozzle clogs)

Since onboard cleaning didn't help, a gentle manual soak might:

Remove the printhead (if possible) – Make sure the printer is powered off and cartridges are removed.

Take a shallow dish with warm (not hot!) distilled water, just enough to submerge the nozzles, not the entire head.

Let it soak for about 10–15 minutes, occasionally gently swishing the water.

Remove and gently blot the printhead (no rubbing!) with a lint-free cloth or coffee filter.

Reinstall the head and cartridges, run a single level-1 cleaning cycle.

Cleaning Station Concerns

Yes, you’re spot-on, the cleaning station does contain a spongy absorber pad that collects excess ink. If it's missing or has been pushed out, the printer may fail to properly "prime" the black ink line.

If you suspect the pad is missing or damaged, it might explain why the black ink isn’t being pulled through effectively, even after cleaning.

Let me know after the firmware update too, some 8600 firmware versions do have improved printhead calibration logic.

If Nothing Works...

Unfortunately, if the black nozzle still shows horizontal lines or missing segments after all this, it might be:

Clogged beyond recovery, or

The black channel in the printhead is damaged

In that case, replacing the printhead might be the best next step.

You're doing all the right things, Jeff. Let me know how it goes after the firmware update or the soak method, I’m right here if you need more help!

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

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