photo envy 6200 won't print color

[kingofallbacon]

Printer won't print in color.  Tried printing from computer.  Tried cleaning print heads 3 times.  Tried quality diagnostic 3 times.  Tried print alignment 3 times.  No color.  This happened about 1 week after I bought this.  Printed in color for a few days, next time I tried to print same issue - no color.  Changed the color cartridge and it printed in color.  Now 3 weeks later having the same issue.  There is still plenty of ink in the cartridge, has only printed about 12 pages with minimal color.  Also ink levels are well above 75% on the print monitor, same as with the previous color cartridge.

[8lives]

How many days go by between you printing?

[kingofallbacon]

3-5 days between printing

[8lives]

You can try soaking just the printhead of the cartridge for a few minutes in hot water b4 drying & printing a test.

[kingofallbacon]

so my option is every 1-2 weeks i need to take the cartridge out and soak in water before i want to print??  how will this affect the electronic componenets of the cartridge?  this sounds like a last ditch option, no?  The problem has happened twice now with 2 new cartridges after about 2 weeks.  Do you think it may be the cartridge design itself??

[8lives]

The soaking is just trying to save the cartridge and then only where the printhead is. (bottom 1/4 of inch)

Have you checked the printer firmware, latest is 1841A.

[kingofallbacon]

do you have experience soaking cartridges in water to rescue them?  I'm kind of hesitant to do something that is not listed by HP as an acceptable option.  will the water get into the cartridge and dilute/spoil the ink, which could then possible do damage to the printer?

[8lives]

Yes I have, you can always touch the printhead to a damp paper towel to see if any ink flows freely.

Just trying to save you purchasing a new cartridge.

You can always contact HP support for more help.

[kingofallbacon]

ok, so you're now saying don't soak it, just use a damp paper towel?  Again, will this do any damage to the printer?  Are you a rep with HP and this is a recognized way of dealing with the problem?

[8lives]

Just a volunteer.

What we are trying to see if there is any liquid ink on the printhead or has it dried solid.