Don't know what icons mean for ink levels

[pinsim]

I am a retired senior not good with computer matters, and need help.  Ink levels on my HP Officejet 5740 printers show levels are good, but printer not printing black.  I ran Print & Scan Doctor, tried to clean and align printheads etc but no success. Could the level on my black ink be incorrect? I live on a fixed single pension, so I don't want to have to change cartridge if it is still good.

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @pinsim, Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues, with help from the community!

Don't worry I'll try to help you out. Let me ask you a few questions in order to assist you better.

Have you tried printing from a different application? Does the issue persist?

Does the issue persist when you make a copy from the printer?

Have you tried checking with a different ink cartridge?

Are you using HP genuine ink cartridges on the printer?

Please share the opearting system you are running on the PC to assist you better.

Replace low, empty or faulty ink cartridges on the printer.

Please try few steps recommended below.

Check the print settings for your print job in Windows 10, 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

1. In the software application you are trying to print from, click File, and then click Print.

   The Print window opens.

2. Open the Properties dialog box.

   Depending on the software application, the button might be Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences.

3. Depending on your print job, you might consider modifying the following settings:

   • Paper Type: If you are printing on photo paper, select the type of photo paper you are attempting to print on.

   • Print Quality: If you are dissatisfied with the quality of your printouts, increase the print quality. To print more quickly, decrease the print quality. These options typically include Best, Normal, and Draft modes.

   • Paper Size: If you are printing on a different size of paper than you normally print on, select the correct paper size.

   • Black and White: If you want to print in black and white only, select the grayscale option.

4. After selecting the print settings, click OK to apply the settings, and then click Print.

Clean the ink cartridges

Follow these steps to clean the ink cartridges from the printer control panel.

NOTE: 

To avoid issues that require cleaning, always turn the printer off with the Power button.

1. Load U.S. letter or A4 size, unused, plain white paper into the input tray.

2. On the printer control panel, swipe the display to the left, and then touch Setup.

   The Setup menu displays.

3. Swipe the display up, and then touch Printer Maintenance.

4. Touch Clean Cartridges.

   A Print Quality Diagnostic report prints.

5. Examine the Print Quality Diagnostic report.

   • If the print quality is unacceptable, touch Proceed when prompted to continue the next level of cleaning. Repeat these steps for the third cleaning stage, if necessary.

     NOTE: 

     If the printhead is badly clogged, it might require another cleaning cycle. If so, wait 30 minutes before you perform all three levels of cleaning again.

   • If the print quality is acceptable, touch Done when prompted to continue the next level of cleaning. You do not need to continue troubleshooting.

6. Examine the print quality on the Print Diagnostic report.

If you are able to make a black copy from the printer try to uninstall the printer drivers from root level on the PC and reinstall the full feature printer software and check if it helps.

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.

Update the full feature printer software using this link. Click Here

Refer this article to further troubleshoot print quality issues with the printer. Click Here

Let me know if this helps!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

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