PhotoSmart 7525 Black ink, leaking and not printing.

[shortreba]

I've had the PhotoSmart 7525 for a 1.5 years, no problems that I was aware until today.  I installed all new cartridges - all 5 colors.  The black simply did not print.  I cleaned and aligned the cartridges.  I put a second new black cartridge in.  I (finally) looked in the resting location and discovered the whole area covered with fresh black ink.  I saw no evidence of any other color.  There was no ink elsewhere inside the printer.  I think I can get it cleaned up, but any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it??

[Bob_Headrick]

The  area that appears to have black ink is the service station, where ink from all the colors are "spit" to keep the nozzles clear.  It is normal for there to be black-looking ink in this area, and it is not necessary (or desirable) to clean this area.  While the ink in this area appears black it is actually a combination of black and color inks. 

The troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve black not printing on your Photosmart 7525 printer.  Be sure to go through all the steps in order.

[shortreba]

I actually wouldn't be concerned about ink in that spot and wouldn't have even been looking except that the black isn't printing, even after replacing it twice.

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

I would suggest the troubleshooting steps in the document I linked above. Be sure to check the vents.  If clearing the vents does not resolve the issue then soaking the printhead may resolve the issue.

[shortreba]

Thanks Bob,  I thought I had looked all the way through the troubleshooting.  Apparently I didn't!  I had to go through the entire soaking process.  Initially when I re-installed the printhead it didn't work.  I had to leave it, turned off, for a couple of hours.  Now it seems to be working great!!