HP Inkjet printers - No black ink, wrong colors, other print quality issues

Use a Print Quality Diagnostic report to check if the printhead or ink cartridges need to be cleaned or if there is an alignment issue.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Print the report.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Reports, and then touch Print Quality Report or similar.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the report.

   

3. Check for issues indicated on the report, and then follow the instructions provided to resolve the issue.

Clean the printhead and cartridges to resolve print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded prints.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Run the cleaning tool.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Printer Maintenance, and then touch Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the cleaning tool.

3. If the page that prints has defects, the printhead might be badly clogged. Run up to two more cleaning cycles.

Low ink levels, using non-HP cartridges, and clogged cartridge vents can cause print quality issues.

1. Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

   HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

2. Check the ink levels from the printer control panel or from the HP Smart app on your computer or mobile device.

   • If any cartridges are very low or empty, replace them with new cartridges, and then try to print.

   • If the print quality issue persists, continue to the next step.

3. Open the door or lid to the cartridge access area. Wait until the carriage stops moving before continuing.

4. Push in the tab on a cartridge, and then pull the cartridge from the slot.

   CAUTION:

   Do not leave the cartridges outside the printer longer than 30 minutes. Doing so can result in damage to both the printer and the cartridges.

   

5. If the cartridge still has the orange pull-tab attached, remove it.

   

6. Use a pin or paper clip to remove any debris or excess adhesive from the vent on top of the cartridge.

   

7. Reinsert the cartridge into its color-coded slot, and then press down on it until it snaps into place.

8. Repeat these steps to inspect and clean the vent on the other cartridges.

   If the issue persists with a specific color, replace that cartridge.

   If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP limited warranty information.

Make sure your print job is set up for optimal print quality results.

1. Check the paper type and condition: Make sure the paper is appropriate for the print job and in good condition.

   • Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others, causing faded or smeared prints. Plain paper with ColorLok technology works well for text and documents with graphics. For photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.

   • Use clean, wrinkle-free paper. Wrinkled or curled paper can cause dark, horizontal defects.

2. Load paper according to the print side: Typically, the smoother or glossy side is the print side.

   • For inkjet printers with a rear load tray, load the print side facing up.

   • For inkjet printers with a front load tray, load the print side facing down.

3. Check the print job settings: From the application you are printing from, click File > Print, and then click Options, Printer Setup, or Preferences, or open the Paper Type/Quality or Media & Quality menu.

   Make sure the color, paper type, paper size, and quality settings are correct for your print job.

4. Check the quality of the photo or document: Use editing tools to improve colors, brightness, contrast, and any other appearance settings. Higher resolution photographs and graphics result in clearer prints with more accurate colors.

If your printer has a removable printhead, you can manually clean it. Otherwise use the steps provided to replace the printhead.

1. Open the door or lid to the cartridge access area. Wait until the carriage stops moving before continuing.

2. Look for a latch on the carriage.

   

   • If there is no latch, the printhead is not replaceable. 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. Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty products.

   • If there is a latch, continue to the next step.

3. Go to HP Product Warranty Check to confirm your printer warranty status.

   • If the printer is under warranty, so is the printhead. Additionally, a recently replaced printhead is covered under warranty for 90 days, regardless of the printer warranty. Go to Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a product repair or replacement.

   • If the printer is not under warranty, continue to the next step.

4. Gather the following items.

   • A clean disposable container large enough to fit the printhead

   • Paper towels

   • Filtered or distilled water (tap water may contain contaminants that can damage the printhead)

   • Two clean lint-free cloths

   • A pan or container for heating water

   • Disposable gloves (to prevent ink transfer to skin and clothing)

5. Stack several paper towels 6.5 mm (1/4 in) deep on the bottom of the disposable container.

6. Heat the water until it is very warm to the touch. Do not bring it to a boil.

7. Put on the gloves.

8. Pour the heated water into the disposable container so that it is 5 cm (2 inches) deep and covering the paper towels.

9. Remove all of the cartridges. Push in the tab on each cartridge, and then lift each of them out of the carriage.

   

10. Place the ink cartridges on a paper towel with the nozzles facing up.

11. Lift the latch on the carriage until it stops.

    

12. Grasp the printhead by the sides to remove it from the carriage.

    

13. Lightly dampen a cloth with the heated water, and then gently wipe the nozzle area until excess ink does not transfer to the cloth.

    CAUTION:

    Do not press into the nozzle area. Do not touch the copper-colored contacts with your fingers, or let the contacts touch any surface.

    

14. Place the printhead in the container of water with the nozzles facing down, and then let it soak for 10 minutes.

    

15. Remove the printhead from the water, wipe off excess water with a clean lint-free cloth, and then let it air dry on a paper towel for fifteen minutes.

16. Slide the printhead back into the carriage, and then lower the latch until it stops.

    

17. Reinsert each cartridge into its color-coded slot, making sure each snaps into place.

18. Close the door or lid to the cartridge access area.

    Note:

    If a Printhead Problem message displays, restart the printer.

19. Run the automatic printhead cleaning tool.

    • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Printer Maintenance, and then touch Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges.

    • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the cleaning tool.

20. Check the page that prints for any defects.

    • If the page has defects, the printhead might be badly clogged. Run up to two more cleaning cycles, and then try to print.

    • If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

21. Go to the HP Parts Store.

    Note:

    If you are in Asia Pacific, the site directs you to a service center in your area.

22. Search for your printhead number.

    • If your printer uses four ink cartridges, search for CN643A.

    • If your printer uses five ink cartridges, search for CN642A.

23. Follow the steps to order the printhead.

24. Install the replacement printhead.

Very low ink levels and using non-HP cartridges can cause print quality issues.

1. Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

   HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

2. Check the ink levels and replace any low or empty cartridges.

   Note:

   The printer features a 'backup mode' that enables a limited number of prints when there is a very low or empty cartridge installed. In this mode, blacks might not be as dark and entire prints with color might be in grayscale. Replace the cartridge if backup mode printing is unacceptable.

   

3. Rough handling of cartridges during transport or installation can cause print quality problems. Wait a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.

   If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP limited warranty information.

Use a Print Quality Diagnostic report to check if the printhead or ink cartridges need to be cleaned or if there is an alignment issue.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Print the report.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Reports, and then touch Print Quality Report or similar.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the report.

   

3. Check for issues indicated on the report, and then follow the instructions provided to resolve the issue.

Clean the printhead and cartridges to resolve print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded prints.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Run the cleaning tool.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Printer Maintenance, and then touch Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the cleaning tool.

3. If the page that prints has defects, the printhead might be badly clogged. Run up to two more cleaning cycles.

Make sure your print job is set up for optimal print quality results.

1. Check the paper type and condition: Make sure the paper is appropriate for the print job and in good condition.

   • Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others, causing faded or smeared prints. Plain paper with ColorLok technology works well for text and documents with graphics. For photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.

   • Use clean, wrinkle-free paper. Wrinkled or curled paper can cause dark, horizontal defects.

2. Load paper according to the print side: Typically, the smoother or glossy side is the print side.

   • For inkjet printers with a rear load tray, load the print side facing up.

   • For inkjet printers with a front load tray, load the print side facing down.

3. Check the print job settings: From the application you are printing from, click File > Print, and then click Options, Printer Setup, or Preferences, or open the Paper Type/Quality or Media & Quality menu.

   Make sure the color, paper type, paper size, and quality settings are correct for your print job.

4. Check the quality of the photo or document: Use editing tools to improve colors, brightness, contrast, and any other appearance settings. Higher resolution photographs and graphics result in clearer prints with more accurate colors.

If the printer has a removable printhead, order a new one. Otherwise, follow the steps provided to service the printer.

1. Open the door or lid to the cartridge access area. Wait until the carriage stops moving before continuing.

2. Look for a latch on the carriage.

   

   • If there is no latch, the printhead is not replaceable. 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.

   • If there is a latch, continue to the next step.

3. Go to the HP Parts Store. If you are in Asia Pacific, the site directs you to a service center in your area.

4. Search for your printhead number.

   • For 950 and 951 cartridges, search for CR322A (Americas), CR324A (Europe, Middle East, Africa), or CR326A (Asia Pacific, Japan).

   • For 952-959 cartridges, search for M0H91A.

   • For 962-969 cartridges, search for 3JB16A.

5. Follow the steps to order the printhead.

   Note:

   If you have a defective printhead, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for HP limited warranty information.

6. Install the replacement printhead.

Very low ink levels, using non-HP cartridges, and rough handling can cause print quality issues.

1. Replace any non-HP or refilled cartridges with genuine HP cartridges. HP supplies are available from the HP Store and local retailers.

   HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. Go to HP Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Program for more information.

2. Check the ink levels and replace any low or empty cartridges.

   Note:

   The printer features a 'backup mode' that enables printing with one cartridge. Remove the low or empty cartridge to continue printing if a replacement is not available. Depending on the cartridge removed, blacks will not be as dark and color prints will be in grayscale.

   

3. Rough handling of cartridges during transport or installation can cause print quality problems. Wait a few hours for the automatic servicing routine to complete, and then try to print again.

   If you have a defective HP cartridge, it might be under warranty. Go to About Original HP Cartridges for page yield and HP limited warranty information.

Use a Print Quality Diagnostic report to check if the printhead or ink cartridges need to be cleaned or if there is an alignment issue.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Print the report.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Reports, and then touch Print Quality Report or similar.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the report.

   

3. Check for issues indicated on the report, and then follow the instructions provided to resolve the issue.

Clean the printhead and cartridges to resolve print quality issues including incorrect colors, streaks, and faded prints.

1. Load plain white paper in the tray.

2. Run the cleaning tool.

   • Printers with a touchscreen or menus: On the printer, open the Settings or Setup menu, touch Tools or Printer Maintenance, and then touch Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges.

   • Printers without a touchscreen or menus: Go to 123.hp.com or your app store to install the HP Smart app. Click the picture of your printer on the home screen to open printer management options that include the cleaning tool.

3. If the page that prints has defects, the printhead might be badly clogged. Run up to two more cleaning cycles.

Make sure your print job is set up for optimal print quality results.

1. Check the paper type and condition: Make sure the paper is appropriate for the print job and in good condition.

   • Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others, causing faded or smeared prints. Plain paper with ColorLok technology works well for text and documents with graphics. For photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.

   • Use clean, wrinkle-free paper. Wrinkled or curled paper can cause dark, horizontal defects.

2. Load paper according to the print side: Typically, the smoother or glossy side is the print side.

   • For inkjet printers with a rear load tray, load the print side facing up.

   • For inkjet printers with a front load tray, load the print side facing down.

3. Check the print job settings: From the application you are printing from, click File > Print, and then click Options, Printer Setup, or Preferences, or open the Paper Type/Quality or Media & Quality menu.

   Make sure the color, paper type, paper size, and quality settings are correct for your print job.

4. Check the quality of the photo or document: Use editing tools to improve colors, brightness, contrast, and any other appearance settings. Higher resolution photographs and graphics result in clearer prints with more accurate colors.