HP Envy 5646 - Black Print Poor (Faded or Missing)

[sm0]

The black printing on my HP Envy 5646 printer is very poor - faded or missing.

The HP cartridges on the printer are showing half full+, and I have done nearly all the test and suggested HP support diagnostics for this problem, except replace the HP black cartridge. When I print the 'print quality diagnostics' page, the only thing that prints are the C/R/Y colour blocks and colour alignment lines, but no black type and the B (black) block just shows a box outline but is empty of all black print ie the white paper shows.

Everything would seem to indicate to me that the HP black cartridge, even though showing half full, is either empty or faulty, but is there anything else I can/should do before getting another expensive HP black cartridge ? 

[TEJ1602]

@sm0, Welcome to HP Support Community!

If you have already performed the steps from the document HP DeskJet, ENVY, OfficeJet Printers - Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues and the issue persists, it could be a hardware failure.

Please reach out to the HP Support in your region regarding the service options for your printer.

Hope this helps!

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[sm0]

Hi,

The online steps to resolve this issue, suggested by your virtual agent and your email did nothing to improve my printing problem. However, before buying a new HP cartridge (£15.00) or contacting your support (premium phone number and £17.95 charge), I did some more research on the internet, where it was suggested that I take the HP black cartridge out and cleaning the head using just hot water and some kitchen paper or a lint free cloth, then replace it in the printer and run the printer head cleaning routine. This simple proceedure sort the problem, and it is now printing black clearly.

I have to say, in this instance, HP Support have been of little help, and once a HP printer is out of warranty, as in my case, it is costly to get HP help and/or to repair a problem printer.

When I buy my next printer,  I shall take this episode into consideration.