HP Photosmart 6520 It prints all colors and black when doing clean feature. Won't print black from

[sily97405]

there are no error messages. I can get the Diagnotics Quality report to print just find. When I try to send a document from my laptop wireless to print, it won't do the black. I get blank pages instead. I tried doing a test print from my laptop and all I get showing on the paper is the Windows Icon in color and the rest of the page is blank.

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

The diagnostic page uses a combination of black and color ink to print the text.  This is so the information can be read even if black or one or more colors are not working.

The troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve black not printing on your Photosmart 6520. 

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.

[danny-r]

@sily97405

Be alert for scammers who may be posing as HP support representatives, particularly those who claim to be “HP Helpdesk”. Only call numbers from people who have a  on their profile page. If you think you have received a fake HP Support message, please report it to us by clicking on the blue "Report Inappropriate Content" button above the message in the Private Message portion of the Community. Thank you!

[sily97405]

With scammers being so active, how do we as Consumers know who is REAL? 

I have seen Business logos used by scammers. 

Who is REAL? It is a serious Dilemma.

[Dragon-Fur]

@sily97405

The issue is indeed serious.

HP is aware of the problem and is working everyday to eliminate the infestation.

I can offer the following information and comments:

One of the very first things to alert you to a scammer is a "new" member on the forum that has a "zero" ranking (tiny zero at the end of the profile name).

Next, scammers typically do not post, though some do so and are quickly caught.  That is one reason they never have any "rank" other than zero.  Scammers that post are removed from the forum.

Most times, scammers sit in the background and dart out with a private message worded to make it sound like you have reached HP Support.

This community forum is NOT HP Tech Support.   

HP agents may respond -- we have a few Hp agents that volunteer their time on the forum.  Agents will always first respond here on the forum.

We have HP moderators that may respond.  Each will do so publicly first to alert you and each agent profile page will identify that agent as an HP representative.

Next, HP does not sign / send / use the term "HP Helpdesk" to send messages.

IF an agent responds on this community forum, that agent will first post back here -- like I am doing now.  My response to you is public and subject to review by the HP moderator group.

Your Example:

HP Helpdesk

From: Marshal_Technic   

Sent: ‎02-14-2018 08:48 AM

HP Contact Information – Sales, Technical Support, other Contacts 

Please take the time to read the warning section after “Support Details” regarding thieves and vermin.

HP Contact Options…

NOTES:

HP may advise you there is a fee for phone support and / or other services when your computer / device is no longer under warranty.  This is normal business practice.

HP may tell you that certain services are not covered under warranty.  This is normal business practice.  Standard Warranty typically covers only hardware.  Care Pack Warranties differ by contract.

First Contact Option...

Open Browser to HP Forum,

Scroll down to the bottom of the page,

Click Contact HP

Click Support

Follow instructions

OR

Technical Support Details - Regions

USA / Canada

1. Submit information online: HP Customer Support - USA / Canada - Contact
2. Sign in or continue as a guest

UK

1. For faster support, submit information online HP Customer Support - UK - Contact
2. Contact Phone: Contact HP UK – Phone Assist

Everywhere else

1. Contact Information: HP World-Wide Support

Scams and Unscrupulous Contacts – Please READ:

• Should there be a forum response from an HP agent, the agent will first post back here.

• HP Agent Response times vary widely - response is NOT guaranteed - this is a community forum.

• USA / Canada: HP does not post contact information for your region until after you submit an online case.

• Be aware of scams, thieves, and vermin that infest the underbelly of community forums.

• Sometimes when you ask for help, these creatures crawl out from under rocks to pounce on the unwary. These people are NOT here to help you.

HP Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from Scams, Report Suspicious Calls

AND

Signs of Vermin:

• Do not respond to “for hassle free help – kindly call us at this number” messages.

• Do not respond to "Gee, it is so difficult to help you on the forum -- call us!" messages.

• HP does not post unsolicited private messages that contain embedded phone numbers or email addresses.

• HP does NOT sign email or messages as “Helpdesk”, “TechHelp”, “TechDesk” or anything similar.

• Verify all phone numbers against HP Contact information in HP Documents.
• HP will not call you to tell you there is a problem on your computer.
• HP will not call you and ask for your personal information.
• HP will not call you to offer you money.
• HP will not insist that you let the technician log into your computer.
• HP will not tell you your computer is full of malware and then offer to sell you a “plan”.

• Avatars and "HP" screen name emblems within the content (inside) an email or private message can be faked.

HP and Forum Community HP Experts do NOT message, call, or email you and promise to fix a problem if you would just "call this number", give out your personal information, promise your first-born child, provide a credit card number.

______________________________________________________

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP devices and technology.

[sily97405]

Thank you Dragon Fur for addressing my concerns.

[Dragon-Fur]

@sily97405

You are welcome.

I know it is a lot to take in -- in particular, once I get started, I do tend to grand verbosity.  I have edited my scam explanation at least twice, now.  Smiling.

Our forum Experts and HP are absolutely in the business of helping our members.

It is a sad truth that ours is apparently the age of "fake news".

Stay alert and be safe!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

[sily97405]

Bob_Headrick, 

Thank you for addressing my questions about my printer not printing Black. 

I GOT IT ! ! ! ! ! 

IT WORKS, IT WORKS ! ! ! ! 

I did try letting the warm water sit, that did not phase it. I then decided to use an eye dropper and very carefully put JUST enough drops of rubbing alchohol  on the screen and let it sit. (I of course had a dry paper towel under the print head.) I waited to see if the alcohol went into the print head and I looked to see if the paper towel under was wet. WHALA ! ! ! The paper towel had a bit of black and moisture. I then put alcohol on the screen a couple more times. and let it sit. Then after that, I did the same with the warm water. I of course was checking to make sure the paper towel was wet. I of course would move the paper towel to be dry under the black print head. 

It WORKED. I did the Print Quality test 9 times before I tried to print a docutment. I printed my first few documents using BEST print quality to get as much ink moving through the print head as I could. 

I AM BACK TO PRINTING ! ! ! !

I do NOT have to buy a new printer! ! ! !

YEAH ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Carole Shay

[sily97405]

THANk You Bob_Headrick and Dragon-Fox. 

I had bought this printer only 3 yrs ago. It is NOT TIme to replace it. 

I am SO grateful that you two helped to tell me how to solve my problem. It has taken 2 or 3 days of working on it, but it DID work.

Carole Shay

[Dragon-Fur]

@sily97405

You are welcome.

@Bob_Headrick is one of our most notable printer rock-stars!  

This is exactly the kind of outcome we like to see.  Smiling.

Happy Printing!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP devices and technology.