Photosmart 5520 has blank lines when printing with black ink

[gallegrucci]

I have recenlty replaced my HP black ink cartridges in my Photosmart 5520 printer and for some reason every time I print a normal black and white document there are lines missing out of where the black ink should have printed. I did the print quality diagnostic and every color turns out fine except for the black ink which has blank lines. I have followed the cleaning suggestions, but It still prints the same way. It also seems that the blank lines are consistently spaced evenly apart. 

[senan6806]

@gallegrucci

A warm welcome to HP Support Community!

Power resetting the printer and then performing an automated/manual cleaning may resolve the issue. Power resetting the printer should re-calibrate the printer and performing and automated/manual cleaning should ensure that the ink nozzles are not clogged and the ink is able to pass through the printhead nozzles. Let's try these steps:

Please ensure the printer is up-to-date with its firmware. If you are unsure, you can download install the latest printer firmware update from here.

1) Make sure this printer is plugged into a direct wall, not a surge protector

2) Remove all of your ink cartridges from the printer and close the door

3) Remove the power cord from the back of the printer (Do no press the power button)

4) Clean the electrical contacts, refer to solution 4 from this document.

5) Make sure the ink cartridges are properly vented, refer to step 9 from this document.

6) Plug the power cord back into the printer

7) Wait for the printer to turn on completely, then install the ink cartridges.

😎 From the control panel home screen, touch the Settings icon (), and then touch Tools.

9) Touch the Down Arrow (), and then touch Clean Printhead.

10) From the home screen, touch the Setup icon (), and then touch Tools.

11) Touch the Down Arrow (), and then touch Align Printer.

Let me know how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!
Have a great day!

[gallegrucci]

@Senan6806

Thanks for trying to help, however it seems that the printer is now printing worse than before. Now the black is coming out even less when I go to print the Print Quality Diagnostic after following all of the steps you recommended. It seems like the black is barely coming out at all now. 

[senan6806]

@gallegrucci

That's unfortunate, I'm afraid, its a possible printhead failure. Please call HP Support to obtain all available repair/replacement options. You may use the following steps to contact your regional HP Support:

1) Click on this link

2) Select your product type below.

3) Enter the serial of your device. 

4) Select the country from the drop-down. 

5) Select the chat or get phone number options based on your preferences. 

6) Fill the web-form and proceed further.