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HP Recommended
HP OfficeJet 5740
Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit)

I have HP tri color ink cartridge that still has at least half the ink supply in it according to the test procedures, but it will not print magenta. All other colors print fine. Is there any way I can resolve this without resorting to new ink cartridges? I have performed all the suggested remedies, repeated cleanings, alignments, etc., without any results. Thanks.

3 REPLIES 3
HP Recommended

@Karlab713

 

Welcome to HP support community.

 

Clean the area around the ink nozzles

  1. Gather the following materials:

    • Dry foam-rubber swabs, lint-free cloth, or any soft material that does not come apart or leave fibers (coffee filters work well)

    • Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the ink cartridges)

         CAUTION: 

      Do not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the ink cartridge contacts. These can damage the ink cartridge or the printer.

  2. Turn on the printer.

  3. Open the ink cartridge access door by placing two fingers under one or both of the small handles on the sides of the ink cartridge access door and then lifting it up. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.

    Open the ink cartridge access door

    The Door Open screen displays on the printer control panel with the message, 'The cover or door must be closed to print. Check that it is completely closed.' A Change Ink option also displays on the bottom right corner of the touchscreen. You do not need to select this option at this time.

  4. Lightly press down on one of the ink cartridges to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge toward you out of its slot.

    Press down to remove the ink cartridge

       CAUTION: 

    Do not remove both ink cartridges at the same time. Remove and clean each ink cartridge one at a time. Do not leave an ink cartridge outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.

  5. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides.

    Hold the ink cartridge by its sides.

  6. Inspect the ink cartridge contacts for ink and debris buildup.

       CAUTION: 

    Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

    Do not touch the contacts or nozzles.

  7. Lightly moisten a foam-rubber swab or lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then squeeze any excess water from it.

  8. Clean the face and edges around the ink nozzle with the swab.

       CAUTION: 

    Do not clean the ink nozzle plate.

    The ink nozzle and ink cartridge contacts.

    1. Nozzle plate - Do not clean

    2. Area surrounding ink nozzle - Do clean

    3. Cartridge contacts - Do not clean

  9. Either let the ink cartridge sit for 10 minutes to allow the cleaned area to dry, or use a new swab to dry it.

  10. Reinsert the ink cartridge by sliding it at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently pushing up on the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.

    • Reinsert the tri-color ink cartridge into the left slot.

    • Reinsert the black ink cartridge into the right slot.

    Reinsert the ink cartridge

  11. Repeat these steps to clean around the nozzles on the other ink cartridge.

  12. Close the ink cartridge access door.

    Close the ink cartridge access door

  13. Turn on the printer.

You can refer this HP document for more assistance:- Click here

 

I hope that helps.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

Sandytechy20
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

Thanks for your response, but I had already tried this method of cleaning the printer cartridge and it didn't have any beneficial effect. I have purchased new printer cartridges and will install them tomorrow. Then I will hope that the new color cartridge will print in all 3 colors. I'm enrolled in the Instant Ink program, but apparently I can't just request that they send me new cartridges when there's a problem with the existing one(s). Apparently that program is a waste of money for me even though I still have over $65.00 in credit in my account. Thanks again for your assistance.

HP Recommended

@Karlab713 I understand your concern and to let you know, you can request for a new cartridge via the instant ink program, when you have an issue with the existing cartridge, that said, I can help you with replacement cartridges, all i need from you is mentioned in a private message to keep your personal information safe:

 

Check next to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it as I've sent out a list of questions and I could provide a better solution once I have the answers: 

Click here for more details on how to access the private messages on HP Forums

 

We eagerly await your response,

Help us, help you.

And Take care.

Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee

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