• ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
Guidelines
Experiencing 'Printer Blocked' or 'Printer Error' message? Click here for more information.
Check some of the most frequent questions about Instant Ink: HP INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER.


Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.

‎05-02-2019 05:53 PM - last edited on ‎05-02-2019 06:01 PM by Retired

HP Recommended

I'm having same issue as posted by HansQnA on 06-26-2018

 

My Photosmart 6520e started printing light gray instead of black (text and pictures).

 

I followed all the instructions on HP's support site ("black ink not printing etc.") - without success. I replaced the cartridge - Problem persisted - I went through all the troubleshooting again - No success. I went through a complete set of ink cartridges cleaning/aligning print heads, printing diagnostic pages, and cleaning again….

 

The Print Quality Diagnostic pages repeatedly shows the same pattern: The far right and middle bars of the black ink control pattern are light gray and dark gray, respectively (as expected). However, the far left bar is only a faint gray instead of black. All lines in the alignment patterns that are supposed to be black are also faint gray. All other color control patterns look perfect.

 

I followed the additional guidance you provided to HansQnA on 06-26-2018 03:41 PM to clean the black print cartridge vent - No luck - Same problem.

 

Your resolution provided to HansQnA on 06-28-2018 04:36 PM says, "Looks like this is a hardware issue."

 

PLEASE ADVISE.

 

WAT4

 

Who Me Too'd this topic
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Rules of Participation.
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.