HP Envy 6030 only prints black when printing pdf not regular text

[JDAB]

I've only used the HP cartridges that came with it. the printer is just over (outside of warranty) a year old.

it hasn't been used much. supply levels show black ink as low, 20%, but not run out. there have been no messages saying no black ink.

there have been no error messages at all, in fact.

but, the printer won't print black, not at all, not a shade of grey either. I have taken the black cartridge out, given the contact a clean, etc.

it prints other colours, generally faded, as I presume there's no black in it. I'm reluctant to buy new cartridges as no printer I've owned in the last 6 years has ever lasted more than a year and a half and not stopped working and I've spent a fortune on new cartridges only to not be able to use them on a new printer.

apologies for the rant... the weird thing is I just tried to print something, I used a random email as a test, and there was PNG image with some black text in it and it printed that... no other black, just that. I then tried to print a PDF and it wouldn't print the black. other colours, just no black... any ideas would be much appreciated. I can't bear to throw away another plastic printer into the world. thanks.

[sandytechy20]

@JDAB

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting print quality issues, I am glad to assist you.

Run the automated printhead or ink cartridge cleaning tool

• Clean the printhead and cartridges to resolve print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded prints.
• Load plain white paper in the tray.
• Open the HP Smart app, and then click the picture of your printer to open the settings and management tools.
• In Print Quality Tools or in Advanced Settings > Tools > Utilities > Print Quality Toolbox, select Clean Printhead to start the cleaning tool.
• Review the Print Quality Diagnostic page that prints for defects and any instructions to resolve the issue. Run up to two more cleaning cycles, if necessary.

Refer to this HP document for further assistance:- Click here

Keep me posted.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[JDAB]

thanks for getting back to me.

I tried it a few times, but the same thing each time... just faded colours, no black or grey.

I did a quality report too and the same thing happened.

I've taken the cartridges out too and put them back... same thing.