PHOTOSMART 6520 WILL NOT PRINT BLACK INK EXCEPT DURING PRINT QUALITY DIAGNOSTIC

[TXBUSTER]

My HP Photosmart 6520 printer quit printing the black ink.  I thought the cartridge had just run out, so I installed a new cartridge.  I have tried printing several times, but the black is always missing.  However - when I print a "PRINT QUALITY DIAGNOSTIC" sheet, the black text is just fine - but there's no black color in the black color block (all other colors are sharp and clear).  Does anyone have any suggestions??  I know this printer is old, but I hate the thought of losing it since up to this point it does a remarkable job.  Thanks for any help!  [Personal Information Removed]

[Raj_05]

Hi @TXBUSTER,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your HP Photosmart 6520 printer is not printing black ink except during a print quality diagnostic, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the problem.

Check Ink Levels:

• Make sure that the black ink cartridge has sufficient ink. Low ink levels can prevent black printing.

Clean the Print Heads:

• Sometimes, dried or clogged print heads can block the flow of black ink. Use the printer's built-in cleaning function to clean the print heads. Refer to your printer's manual for instructions on how to do this.

Manual Cleaning:

• If the automatic cleaning doesn't work, you can try manually cleaning the print heads. This involves removing the ink cartridge and gently wiping the print head with a lint-free cloth or cotton swab soaked in distilled water. Make sure the print head is completely dry before reinserting the cartridge.

Alignment:

• Perform a print head alignment. This can help ensure that the ink is properly aligned on the paper. Refer to your printer's manual for instructions on how to align the print heads.

Update Printer Drivers:

• Ensure that your printer drivers are up to date. Sometimes, outdated drivers can cause printing issues. Visit the HP website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.

Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and leave it disconnected for a few minutes. Then, plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes resolve minor issues.

Check for Software Settings:

• Make sure that your printing software (e.g., the program from which you're printing) is not set to use color ink only. Check the print settings to ensure that black ink is selected.

Test with a Different Document:

• Try printing a different document or image to rule out the possibility of a corrupted file causing the issue.

Replace the Ink Cartridge:

• If none of the above steps resolve the issue, consider replacing the black ink cartridge, as it may be faulty or empty.

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!

Alden4
HP Support

[TXBUSTER]

I tried the suggestions except for manual cleaning and drivers - but it still doesn't make sense to me.  I've printed the 'PRINT QUALITY DIAGONOSTICS" page several times - and all of the text prints in black - and the black box is outlined, but there's no black print within the box!  I installed a new black ink cartridge and since printing so many 'PRINT QUALITY DIAGNOSTIC' pages, the black ink cartridge level is down to about 60%.  Why will it not print the shades of black within the black outlined box nor any black print on any of my other documents???  I wouldn't think it's the print-head or a clog since it does print the black text on the PRINT QUALITY DIAGNOSTIC page.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @TXBUSTER,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP Photosmart 6520 printer. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

 thank you for trying the steps, This needs one-on-one interaction hence I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action. 

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!