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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- Issues when printing in best quality: Black color is not pri...

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01-12-2025 08:40 PM
Hello! I am an owner of a HP Smart Tank 530.
I have an odd issue that started today. In the first picture, I printed it in normal quality but I don't like the way it prints - the lines can be seen because it is a normal printing setting.
I decided to print this same picture in high quality setting. As you can see, dark and black colors are totally missing. No matter if it is a photograph, a picture or a document, the printer just DON'T PRINT black color IF HIGH QUALITY is set. Heads are clean.
Can someone provide me some ideas about what to do?
01-14-2025 08:04 AM
Hi @AdrianoRT77,
Welcome to The HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
I understand you are facing an issue with your HP Smart Tank 530 is experiencing an issue with the black ink when printing in high-quality mode. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve this problem:
1. Check Ink Levels
- Ensure the black ink tank has sufficient ink and is not running low. Refill it if necessary.
2. Run Printhead Cleaning
- Even if you’ve already cleaned the printheads, run the cleaning utility again from the printer's control panel or through the HP Smart app.
- Perform multiple cleanings if needed (up to three times), as sometimes one cleaning cycle may not fully resolve clogs.
3. Align the Printheads
- Aligning the printheads can help resolve issues with print quality. You can do this from the printer's settings menu or the HP Smart app.
4. Perform a Nozzle Check
- Print a test page to verify the black ink nozzle’s performance. If lines or sections are missing, the issue may be with the nozzle.
5. Inspect the Printhead
- Check if the black ink printhead has any visible clogs or dried ink. Gently clean the printhead contacts with a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
6. Check the Print Settings
- Ensure the printer is set to use the correct paper type and quality settings. Sometimes incorrect paper settings can cause issues in high-quality mode.
- In the print dialog, set the paper type to "Photo Paper" if you are using glossy or photo paper.
7. Update the Printer Firmware Update the firmware on an HP printer
- Ensure your printer’s firmware is up to date. You can check for updates via the HP Smart app or HP’s website.
8. Reset the Printer
- Turn off the printer, unplug it for 5-10 minutes, and then power it back on. This can resolve some software-related issues.
9. Test with Different Software
- Try printing the same document using different software to rule out software-specific issues.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted 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!
A_Gayathri
HP Support Community Administrator.