HP 551 will not print Black

[oakeith]

This #$%^& 5510 will not print black any longer.  Why?  Why don't HP have a solution except go the the forum?  But the forum has no solution either, only many conplaints by other confused and disapointed HP owners.  Especially disapointed and highly irratated after buying new expensive hp ink that also does not work.  If you do not have a fix, just say so and I junk the printer and buy something else.

[Bob_Headrick]

The troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve black not printing on your Photosmart 5510. 

If the standard troubleshooting did not resolve black not printing I would suggest removing the black cartridge.  Turn it over and examine the area around the ink port.  There are four orange plastic spots, left over from the protective cap.  Make sure these are flush with the cartridge body, if not carefully trim them flush.  If the plastic nubs protrude they can prevent the cartridge from seating properly.  Before replacing the cartridge in the printer dribble a few (maybe four) drops of hot water into the ink port in the printer and two drops into the ink port on the cartridge then snap the cartridge back in position.   

It may also help to manually clean the printhead as described in the post here. 

I have also seen cases where leaving the printer overnight after the cleaning cycles allows black to recover. 

If none of the above restores black printing your printer will likely require repair or replacement.

[oakeith]

Thanks Bob, for the come back.  I can accept and appreciate your idea that the four nibs on the bottom of the cartridge would keep the cartridge from seating properly but in this case it did not help.  I did all the trouble shooting solutions from HP many times before I made the post.  I do not understand how or why it can suddenly stop printing black (not even a  spot or a streak) and all other colors are still good.  Seems more like a driver problem to me.  I also do not understand why HP does not address the problem.

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

You have done the first half of the things suggested in my post above.  The next steps should also be tried:

• It may also help to manually clean the printhead as described in the post here.  
• I have also seen cases where leaving the printer overnight after the cleaning cycles allows black to recover. 

The issue is not driver related, although the fact that some diagnostic pages seem to print black can cause that misconception.  The diagnostic pages use a mixture of black and color to print the text.  This is so that the information can be read for diagnostic purposes even if black or one or more colors are not working.  A similar effect can be created by selecting photo paper as the paper type in the driver.  That will force color to be used for printing black, even black text.  [This is done because the pigmented black ink is not compatible with glossy photo media.]

I have seen some folks report disassembling the Photosmart 5510 to remove the printhead and soak it, or to clean out the tubing in the pump that primes the printhead.   You can find some videos on YouTube or directions in the forum here.  Be aware this is a last ditch effort.  Some have had success with this but others have damaged the printer, typically the delicate encoder strip, the thin plastic strip that is used to keep track of the printhead position. See the posts here for some examples of damage.

You may see cases in the forum where folks have had their printers repaired or replaced by HP even though the device was out of warranty.  The Photosmart 5510 printers are now several years out of warranty.  I am not aware of any programs to fix these at this point.  You might try contacting HP support, in some cases they may offer a new printer at a discount.

[oakeith]

Thanks again Bob, this is more like what I have been looking for.  I have no time for the disassembly now but will try the first of next week.  I have no fear in trying this as I am a retired ground radio technician.  Only my hands are not so steady now.  I did try the color tip and it does print black in this mode.  Thanks to you again for using your expertize and interest in using it to help others.  oakeith

[oakeith]

Well Bob, as much as I hate to, I have to give up on this 5510.  I have done everything your recent post suggests and still no black print. I took it apart the second time and run gallons o f hot water through it and in total 12 hours labour it still will not even make a black mark or spot of any kind.

I still do not understand how it could be printing perfectly and stop in the middle of a sentence and never work again.  So much for HP.

Thanks again Bob, keep helping.  oakeith