HP Deskjet 3525 not print black but print black [ ] symbols!

[MobileWanted]

Hi.

I have HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 3525 e-All-in-One Printer.

The printer stopped printing in black.

I try:

1. Set new original HP 655 black cartridge.

2. I do many cycles of head cleaning.

3. I do hard reset for printer.

4. I remove cartridges, turn the printer off, swith off power cable, wait mo than 60 seconds and plug in all back.

5. I clean vent area of black cartridge.

6. I do all, what i see in this document by HP - HP Deskjet 3520 Printers - Color or Black Ink Not Printing

And all of this not help. My HP 3525 not printing black color.

Besides, if I print a test page from printer I see the brackets, which are printed in black!

At the same time, the black level is not printed!

Please, help fix it!

[Gemini02]

Welcome @MobileWanted,

Thanks for engaging in the HP Forums! I see by your post that the new cartridge isn't printing in black. Thanks for providing all the detailed information that you have tried already. I will certainly do my best to help you.

I have provided a document for cleaning the cartridge contacts to see if that will help. Go to Solution four: Clean the cartridge contacts: Ink Cartridge Error. Disregard the title.

Check the date on the cartridge to make sure it is still in warranty.

If the issue continues, please contact  HP Customer Support and inquire about a replacement cartridge. Fill in the model number and the form to receive a case number for quicker assistance.

Feel free to click on the "Accept as Solution" button and the "Thumbs Up" for my assistance. Please let me know the results and if there is anything else I can help you with. Thanks!

[MobileWanted]

I read this document Ink Cartridge Error. All that I have already made. I remove and insert cartridge many times. New cartridge has fresh date. In my old black cartridge i have some ink and try to use it again. The result is the same - black is not printed.

Tell me please, red circle selected elements "[             ]" on my attached scan (from HP test page) are printed in black ink? If so, it looks like I have some kind of logical problem with the printer. He is able to print in black, but for some reason it does not!

[Gemini02 · Accepted solution]

Hi @MobileWanted,

The printer is most likely using composite black. A mixture of the color cartridges will create black. 

The printhead is probably clogged. This model has a permanent printhead. My own personal recommendation, not one of HPs, is to use the solution offered in the following video.  I only suggest doing this if the printer is out of warranty: How to fix a HP Printer, not printing black ink.

If the printer is still in warranty please call in for a replacement printer. 

Thanks!

[MobileWanted]

Hi.

About the characters "[      ]" on test page you were right, HP 3525 print it by composite black.

Thanks for your link on this video: How to fix a HP Printer, not printing black ink.

It made me think.

First I blew the cartridge. I removed the cover from the top of the cartridge, released the vent and blew it. Then I installed the cartridge into the printer, put on the back of the ink head paper towel and again blew the cartridge until i saw the black marks on the paper. After this manipulation the printer began to print in black!