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HP Deskjet Printers - Color or Black Ink Not Printing

This document is for the HP Deskjet 2510, 2511, 2512, 2514, HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 2515, 2516, 2520hc All-in-One, and HP DeskJet Ultra Ink Advantage 2529 printers.
The printer is working, but the printed output is missing black or color ink, or the printed page is blank or has very little ink.
You need the full HP software to complete some of the troubleshooting steps in this document.

Solution one: Use genuine HP cartridges

HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink or toner supplies. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. If you do not use genuine HP cartridges, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue. To check the authenticity of your cartridges, go to the HP anti-counterfeit webpage (in English).
Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.

Solution two: Check the estimated ink levels, and then replace any low or empty cartridges

Low or empty ink can contribute to print quality issues. Follow these steps to check the estimated ink levels, and then replace any empty cartridges.

Step 1: Check the estimated ink levels

Check the cartridge level indicators on the control panel to determine ink levels.
Figure : Cartridge level indicators
Image: Cartridge level indicators
note:
Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When an indicator shows low ink levels, consider having a replacement ink cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace ink cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.
  • If none of the ink cartridges are low on ink, you do not need to replace them yet. Continue to the next solution.
  • If any of the ink cartridges are low on ink, continue to the next step to replace them.

Step 2: Replace any low or empty cartridges

  1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already turned on. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
  2. Load plain white paper into the input tray.
  3. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the center of the printer. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.
    Figure : Open the cartridge access door
    Image: Open the cartridge access door.
    note:
    The outside of the printer might not look exactly the same as your printer, but the steps are the same.
  4. Lightly press down on the cartridge to release it, and then pull the cartridge out to remove it from its slot.
    Figure : Remove the cartridge
    Image: Remove the cartridge.
      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.
    Figure : Do not touch the contacts or nozzles
    Image: Do not touch the contacts or nozzles.
  5. Remove the new cartridge from its packaging, and then pull the pull tab to remove the plastic tape.
    Figure : Remove the plastic tape
    Image: Remove the tape from the cartridge.
  6. Hold the cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then insert the cartridge into its slot. Make sure that the cartridge is inserted in the proper slot.
    Figure : Insert the correct cartridge into the slot
    Image: Insert the cartridge.
  7. Push the cartridge forward into its slot until it snaps into place.
    Figure : Snap the cartridge into place
    Image: Snap the cartridge into place.
  8. Repeat these steps to replace the other cartridge, if necessary.
  9. Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door
    Image: Close the cartridge access door.
  10. Follow any prompts on the screen.
  11. Wait about 30 seconds for the alignment page to automatically print.
    Figure : The alignment page prints automatically after 30 seconds
    Image: The alignment page prints automatically after 30 seconds.
    note:
    The printer prints an alignment page automatically only when a new cartridge has been installed.

Step 3: Align the printer

Follow these steps to align the cartridges.
  1. Lift the scanner lid.
  2. Place the alignment page with the print side down on the right-front corner of the scanner glass. See the engraved guide next to the scanner glass for help loading the alignment page.
    Figure : Place the alignment page on the scanner glass
    Image: Place the alignment page on the scanner glass
  3. Close the scanner lid.
  4. Press the Scan button () to begin the scan. The printer automatically aligns the cartridges.

Solution three: Use an automated tool to clean the cartridges

Cleaning the cartridges can help improve print quality. Follow these steps to use an automated tool to clean the cartridges.

Solution four: Replace the problem cartridge

If cleaning the printhead did not resolve the issue, follow these steps to identify and replace the problem cartridge.

Step 1: Identify the cartridge to replace

Follow these steps to identify the cartridge to replace.
  1. Review the test page you printed in the previous solution.
  2. Check the text and color blocks on the test page.
  • If you identify any defects with the black text on the page, the black ink cartridge is the problem.
  • If you identify any defects with the colored blocks on the page, the tri-color ink cartridge is the problem.

Step 2: Replace the problem cartridge

Follow these steps to replace the problem cartridge.
If you have a defective cartridge or printhead, it might be under warranty. To check the warranty on your ink or toner supplies, go to Printer and Page Yield Overview, and then review the limited warranty information for your supplies.
  1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already turned on. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
  2. Load plain white paper into the input tray.
  3. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the center of the printer. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.
    Figure : Open the cartridge access door
    Image: Open the cartridge access door.
    note:
    The outside of the printer might not look exactly the same as your printer, but the steps are the same.
  4. Lightly press down on the cartridge to release it, and then pull the cartridge out to remove it from its slot.
    Figure : Remove the cartridge
    Image: Remove the cartridge.
      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.
    Figure : Do not touch the contacts or nozzles
    Image: Do not touch the contacts or nozzles.
  5. Remove the new cartridge from its packaging, and then pull the pull tab to remove the plastic tape.
    Figure : Remove the plastic tape
    Image: Remove the tape from the cartridge.
  6. Hold the cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then insert the cartridge into its slot. Make sure that the cartridge is inserted in the proper slot.
    Figure : Insert the correct cartridge into the slot
    Image: Insert the cartridge.
  7. Push the cartridge forward into its slot until it snaps into place.
    Figure : Snap the cartridge into place
    Image: Snap the cartridge into place.
  8. Repeat these steps to replace the other cartridge, if necessary.
  9. Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door
    Image: Close the cartridge access door.
  10. Follow any prompts on the screen.
  11. Wait about 30 seconds for the alignment page to automatically print.
    Figure : The alignment page prints automatically after 30 seconds
    Image: The alignment page prints automatically after 30 seconds.
    note:
    The printer prints an alignment page automatically only when a new cartridge has been installed.

Step 3: Align the printer

Follow these steps to align the cartridges.
  1. Lift the scanner lid.
  2. Place the alignment page with the print side down on the right-front corner of the scanner glass. See the engraved guide next to the scanner glass for help loading the alignment page.
    Figure : Place the alignment page on the scanner glass
    Image: Place the alignment page on the scanner glass
  3. Close the scanner lid.
  4. Press the Scan button () to begin the scan. The printer automatically aligns the cartridges.

Solution five: Service the printer

If the steps above have not resolved the issue, service the printer.
Service or replace your HP product if the issue persists after completing all the preceding steps.
Go to Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a product repair or replacement. If you are in Asia Pacific, you will be directed to a local service center in your area.
To confirm your warranty status, go to HP Product Warranty Check. Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty products.
note:
Keep a print sample that shows the problem. If the ink cartridges, printhead, or printer is replaced under warranty, the support agent will request the print sample. If the printer is returned to HP, the print sample must be returned with the printer. Place the sample in the output tray when you package your printer for shipping.

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics
Ask a question on our HP Support Community page
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