HP Photosmart B210a will not print black ink on plain paper... only on photo paper.

Hi, I have an HP Photosmart B210a that wont print black ink. I have used a whole set of ink cartridges by cleaning the print heads, allignment etc. I just installed ALL NEW cartridges and the sae thing is ocurring. I have replaced plenty of cartridges and am experienced. Just all of a sudden one day the printer stopped printing black ink on plain paper documents like with MS Word, excel and PDF, etc. It's not set to greyscale either, actually it wont even print grey! However, if I go to a photo with plenty of black in it, it will print it JUST FINE!!! I'm at my wits end! I have followed EVERY head cleaning advice in the forums but it will not print black in except on photos... Please help!!!!

The document here may help, although you have likley already done most of the steps. Be sure to check the vents. If the above does not resolve black not printing on your Photosmart b210a the post here may help.
The black cartridge uses pigmented ink which is not compatible with photo paper. Although the printer appears to be printing black properly on photo paper it is actually using color mixed together to produce black in this case.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
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HP Photosmart 5510 will not print Black Ink!! - Time to "break-up" with HP

I came upon this forum by doing a google search for the issue I'm having which is my HP Photosmart 5510 will not print black ink. The printer is a year and a half old and is used only for home office use (not a heck of a lot of printing being done)
It started right after I installed new ink cartridges (all four of them) I want to mention hear that I ONLY buy genuine HP ink cartridges from Staples and when I replace my cartriges I replace all four at the same time even if one ink level is not considered "replaceably" low. When the issue started I thought I must have gotten a bad black cartridge so I went out and bought another one but was still having the issue. So that's when I did my google search.
I tried all the suggestions (several times) on this post (which did not reslove the problem) : http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Issues-Troubleshooting/HP-Photosmart-5510-will-not-print/m-p/1...
and I tried a "Hard Reset" as suggested here (again did not resolve the problem) : http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Ink-Toner-Cartridge-Printhead-Issues/Photosmart-5510-Will-not-print-in-...
After trying all of these my color ink is less than half full....remember....I started with 4 brand new ink cartridges...so now, I'm out roughly $85 in ink just trying to resolve a problem that should not have happened in the first place!! Shame on HP for makeing such poor quality products. I gave up on HP computers years ago and now I'm giving up on their printers!! This HP Photosmart 5510 All In One printer replaced an HP Color Laserjet CM1312nfi printer (which cost approximately $400) that only lasted about 3 years. Sorry HP but that's it....I'm moving on! Consider this our "break-up" letter.

Hi TisKate, sorry to hear that you are having printing issues when it comes to printing in Black. I am also sorry to hear that you are breaking up with HP. I would like to offer a couple more troubleshooting steps before we say our fond farewells. Now this might sound silly but really it isn't. If you have the power cable connected to a Power bar/strip, please remove it and connect the power cable directly to a wall outlet. HP printers already have a built in surge protector and if you have it in a strip/bar, the printer will not get all the power needed to function properly. This can cause printing issues or false error messages on the printer display screen. Here is a document that explains the Issues when Connected to an Uninterruptible Power Supply/Power Strip/Surge Protector.
The other step I would like to take is on the printers display touch screen. Please use the right arrow key and go to the Wrench icon. Press the wrench and go to the Tools menu. Once in the Tools menu, please select Clean Printhead. Use the cleaning utility 2-3 times or until you see a change in the print status reports. It might take a few cycles but I am confident that it will make a difference.
I hope you and HP can still be friends( friendly humor).
Thanks for your time.
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W a t e r b o y 71
I work on behalf of HP

HP Photosmart 6510 will not print black ink

I am 6 months past my warranty and suddenly the printer stopped printing in black ink. Up to this point, I was very satisfied with the printer. I have tried all of the instructions from the support manual, but to no avail. This appears to be a common issue on the discussion board. Very frustrating.... Please let me know how to fix it.  It would be nice if one of the HP reps, who have responded to all of these postings, would post the fix for this instead of having a private chat with the individual.

Hi folks, 'm sure this has been a frustrating experience for you. I'd like to help. Please begin with the steps in the following document; Printer Prints a Blank Page or Does Not Print Black or Color Ink for the HP Deskjet Ink Advantage an... If you complete, or have already completed all of the steps in the document above and the issue continues, my own personal recommendation, not one of HPs, is to use the solution offered in the following video. I only suggest doing this if the printer is out of warranty; How to fix a HP Printer, not printing black ink and missing colours
Based on the comments, it looks like this will help  King_Zog wrote:
I tried most of the suggestions in this thread, but stopped short of disassembling the print head. Nothing worked until I saw the video referenced in Sunshyn2005's message. That did work, but not on my first try. For the second attempt, I left the wet paper towels in place for a couple of hours to really soak the print heads. That did the trick. So, thank you Sunshyn2005, for pointing me to the solution.   - Source Although the printer might be out of warranty, if the issue persists, HP may be able to offer you something. Maybe they can offer you a discount on an alternate model. If you are in Canada or US call 800 474 6836, or you can Contact HP Worldwide. If this resolves the issue, please let me know so we can help others who may be experiencing the same issue.

HP Photosmart Plus will not print black ink

My printer will not print anything in black ink. I just replaced the all 4 ink ink cartridges and on the printer it says that they are all full but it still will not print anything in black ink. All the other ink works fine.
It is an HP Photosmart Plus and the model is B209a. I bought it about 4 months ago.

The troubleshooting steps in this document may help resolve the issue. If not the post here may help.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
If my answer was helpful please click the "Thumbs Up" to say "Thank You"--V

HP Photosmart 5510 will not print black ink

MY HP 5510 printer refuses to recognize the black ink cartridge. I purchased a brand new cartridge (genuine HP - not a generic brand or a refill), took it straight out of the box, removed all of the wrapping and installed it. I also tried unplugging the printer and then restarting it. I receive a message on the printer screen saying that the black cartridge is "missing or damaged" and I am incapable of moving beyond that screen. I purchased a second cartridge and received the same result. I looked on Google and found over 25 entries of people describing the same problem. I called the Support center and they had me do all of the steps I had previously done, then graciously recommended I buy another printer from them. How do I resolve this?

Hi @Yorkie_Chris
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Sunshyn2005 - I work on behalf of HP

Printer won't print black ink on plain paper but WILL on photo paper.

Suddenly my printer stopped printing black text, main tray. I put in a new cartridge, clean print heads, cleaned screen, reset the printer, etc., etc. Then I found it WILL print text in black on photo paper in main tray. It will print colored text, it just WILL NOT print black text on plain paper, I have tried different brands of plain paper. No difference. I have tried different quality settings, I have deleted and re-installed the printer, update software, prayed, etc. Even tried wired and wireless connections. I give up. Please help.

Hi @plutolover2011
I'd like to help you be able to print again. I understand your colored cartridges are working, but the black ink is not. Please begin with the steps in the following document; Printer Prints a Blank Page or Does Not Print Black or Color Ink for the HP Photosmart Premium C309a...
If you complete all of the steps in the document above and the issue continues, my own personal recommendation, not one of HPs, is to use the solution offered in the following video. I only suggest doing this if he printer and printhead are out of warranty.  Hot Water Printhead Flush - HP Ink Series Printers with removable Printhead.
I have recommended this solution to others and have seen success, but I can not guarantee this will resolve the issue, it is an end of the line kind of effort. I hope it helps.
PaganC wrote:
flushing it worked, Yeah!!!!!!! thanks for your help.
Although the printer might be out of warranty, if the issue persists, HP may be able to offer you something. Maybe they can offer you a discount on a newer model, or discuss the option of replacing the printhead!  If after all of our efforts the issue remains, I suggest calling HP. If you are in Canada or US call 800 474 6836, or you can Contact HP Worldwide.
Thanks for reaching out to the HP Forums. I hope one of my recommendations resolves the issue.
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Sunshyn2005 - I work on behalf of HP

Hp photosmart 5515 will not print black.

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No solution. Power cycled several times, power cycled computers, modem, router, performed all recommended cleanings, changed all ink cartridges, checked it over several days - no go. Then, suddenly, after weeks, it started printing again. That's one hell of a gremlin. Throughout all of this time, my inexpensive Canon printer never faltered.

HP 6510 All in One will NOT print Black ink

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Hi Tam1711,
I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message after the weekend from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post ( serial numbers and case details)
If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.
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Hi there,
Download and run the print and scan doctor located here (amoung resolving some things automatically it can give us a better idea of what is going on with the printer). Give the steps outlined a shot and let us know the results.
Best of Luck!
You can say thanks by clicking the Kudos Star in my post. If my post resolves your problem, please mark it as Accepted Solution so others can benefit too.

.HP Photosmart 5514 Will not print black

I changed my black ink cartridge in my HP Photosmart 5514 (product number CQ183A, serial # {Private Information Removed}) and now it will not print black. The colors work fine, just no black. I have cleaned the print heads, done the secondary clean, tried page allignment, I have turned it off and restared it. I have plugged it into a new outlet, I cleaned the head of the cartridge and the printer. Nothing has worked. Please help me. The printer ran out of ink, I bought a new cartridge, I put it in, that is all I did to it. I have a "genuine HP black ink cartridge 564". It is not a refilled, refurbished, used, ect. ink, it's brand new.
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Hi,
Tried all the items in the "Solution" link, but no dice. Will not print in black, will not copy in black, out of warranty, tried two new HP black cartridges, still no luck. Have used 1/2 of my new color cartridges up in printhead cleaning. Anyone have other ideas or a different path to success?

I replaced the black cartridge on my cannon 2100. Now it will not print black ink. Please help.

I have replaced my black in cartridge and now my printer will not print black. I am getting the message E16. I cannot preform any of the maintenance tasks as it keeps giving me this message. Please help.

Hi @chicagoburb,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
I noticed that your HP Photosmart 310 will not print with your replacement ink cartridge. I am sorry to hear this, but happy to help!
Please see this guide, Fixing Print Quality Problems for the HP Photosmart Premium e-All-in-One Printer Series (C310).
If the guide does not resolve your issue, please see this post, Re: black ink not working, by @Bob_Headrick.
Otherwise, please call our phone support at 800-474-6836 for your upgrade options. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region. Country-language selector.
Hope this helps, and have a great day!
RnRMusicMan
I work on behalf of HP
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Will not print black ink after installing new HP cartridge

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I just spent 1 1/2 hours on the phone with HP Tech Support but it was worth it. They are sending a replacement printer no charge to me (expect I chose to pay extra for next day shipping). Even though my printer is out of warranty!!! I normally buy HP products anyway but will definintely stay with this brand based on their excellent customer service and support. Thank you once again for your initial help online and for directing me on the right path!!!

Hp photosmart 5510 will not print black

I have a photosmart 5510 which will not print black. All the other colours are OK. Have changed the cartridge and gone through all the steps on the diagnostic site without success.
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Cheers.
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Here is a link that may assist you with this problem. It may a be a print head.
http://goo.gl/OTmPV
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HP Photosmart 6510 will not print black.

I purchased this printer less than 2 years ago, but warrantee has expired. Ran through all of the troubleshooting steps and replaced the half-full black cartridge with a new one. It still will not print Black - the other cartridges work just fine. What is going on?
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Hi @Jacomijntje
Thank you for reaching out to the HP Forums.
Have you completed all of the steps in the following document; Printer Does Not Print Black Ink or Color Ink, or Prints Blank Pages.
Although I hope this resolves the issue, it might not. If the issue persists, please post back with your warranty status. Use the following link to check your warranty.
If your printer is still in warranty, please call HP and explain the issue you are experiencing. The number to call HP is 1-800-474-6836 for Canada and US, or you can Contact HP Worldwide.
If your printer is out of warranty, let me know and I will do my best to help. Thanks. I look forward to hearing from you.
* Important > Please include your country/region in your next post. Thanks.
Please click the Thumbs up icon below to thank me for responding.
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Sunshyn2005 - I work on behalf of HP

My HP Photosmart 6510 will not print black

I am having the same problem. I changed the black cartridge and cleaned the heads twice but nothing. Can you help?

Hi @SINGERSTU,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
I will absolutely do my best to assist with your Photosmart 6510
Have you already tried all of the steps within this Printer Prints a Blank Page or Does Not Print Black or Color Ink document? If not, please do and let me know how things go for you.
If those steps don't resolve the issue, please let me know what country you're in, thanks!
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post resolved your issue, as it will help others find the solution faster
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**MissTeriLynn**
I work on behalf of HP

HP Photosmart B210a will not print black ink on plain paper... only on photo paper.

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