The printer ran out of black ink and since replacing will not print in black.

[CarolineF]

The printer ran out of ink, the cartridge was changed and it still would not print in black.  I replaced all the cartridges, did all the diagnostics and the scan doctor.  Tried the print re-alignment but it rejects it because there is no black ink on the page only red andn blue.  On the normal print diagnostic page the whole black box is missing whereas all the colour are there.  On the scan doctor print page there are three bars of grey and the darkest bar is in the middle.  

I changed the printer default from normal to best which hasn't made a difference.  

How do I get the black ink to print?

[8lives]

Take a look at solution #4 in this HP support doc.

[CarolineF]

Looks like you mean clean the printhead?  I've done everything that the troubleshooting page suggests.  All the four cartridges are brand new HP ones and I've done all the maintenance checks available.  I have also used the print/scan doctor and been through that whole process.  I have changed the settings from 'normal' to 'best' print and it is not on grayscale either. It simply won't print black - it's kind of as if it has just decided it won't, like flicking a switch.  It is very frustrating and it's taking up all my time when I should be writing an essay!

[8lives · Accepted solution]

It is possible that the black printhead is clogged.

If your printer warranty is over then you can try cleaning the printhead manually.

There are many videos on youtube on how to do this.

[CarolineF]

I will look it up and try it although I have already deep cleaned the printheads through the maintenance system.  Thanks.

[CarolineF]

Thank you, I have been using a friend's printer in the meantime but I finally managed to check out a video and have just cleaned the print head with hot water, a little washing up liquid and some good strong kitchen roll and it has worked.  Many thanks, will remember that in future.