HP Deskjet F4200: Won't Print In Black After Installing New HP Black Ink Cartridge (XL)

Question

I am reading on this board that this problem exists on a lot of other HP injet printers.
One post is a detailed post on how to dis-assemble a F4620 to access the clogged print heads so that you can unclog it by running it under hot (tap) water.
It seems that these products were designed poorly, or with planned obsolescence so when this problem occurs (usually outside of warranty) and you call you tech support, HP will try to get more money of you by having you subscribe to post-warranty tech support, or better, have you end up buying another HP injet, and have the same issue again down the road.
It the print heads could be accessed and removed for sevice more readily, this problem would be more easily dealt with by most users.
Does anyone know if the dis-assembly instructions for the F4620 are the same for the F4200?  Or better still, is there a U-tube out there on how to access/dis-assemble the F4200 to remove the print head for servicing (unclogging)?

Answer 1

The Officejet 4620 has an entirely different design from your printer.  It has permanent printheads with separate ink supplies.  [I strongly discourage folks from disassembling the printhead on the Officejet 4620 to clean it, the likely result will be a damaged printer.  It would be much better for these folks to call HP support regardless of warranty as described in the post here.  If they are in the US call 1-800-HPINVENt, elsewhere see the contact information here.]  This does not apply to your printer.
The Deskjet F4200 series printer you have is an entirely different design.  Your printheads are integrated into the print cartridges, and replaced with each cartridge replacement.  In your other post I gave a link for troubleshooting steps for your printer, which would lead to this document.  If the steps there do not resolve the issue I would suggest removing the black cartridge and gently blotting the printhead on a damp tissue.  This should result in a strong black blot.  If there is no ink at all it is possible the protective tape was not removed (sometimes the pull tab can separate from the tape. leaving the tape on the cartridge).   If there is just a weak smudge of ink it is possible the cartridge is defective.  In this case you could contact your dealer or HP for a replacement.  If you want to take a more immediate action you could try soaking the printhead as follows:  put about 1" of very hot (but not boiling) water in a teacup.  Put the cartridge in the teacup with its nozzles pointing down and let it soak for ten minutes.  After soaking remove the cartridge and gently dry the electrical contacts with a lint free tissue.  Replace the cartridge in the printer and print a test page.
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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