Missing blank ink from Print Quality Diagnostic

I've only recently bought my HP Photosmart 5520 (about a month old). I've only had to change the cartridges for the first time today - so I replaced all four intially supplied cartridges with the correct HP564 cartridges in Magenta, Cyan, Yellow and Black. Upon trying to print something for the first time, I noticed my black and white lecture slides (I'm a university student) seemed streaky. However, as my printer had been functioning as normal before this cartridge change I ignored it. Upon trying to print other documents involving black text however, whole lines went missing. I've printed 3 Print Quaity Diagnostics, the black ink column is either streaky or missing completly. The same goes for the Ink Delivery System Information report - all the blank ink is streaky. Cleaning the heads (Clean level 2) and aligning the cartridges has done nothing to improve it. This is a source of major stress two weeks before my final exams - if anyone has any idea what is wrong please, help. The other colours are perfect.

The printer should be in warranty if you purchased it a month ago.  I would suggest you contact HP.  If you are in the US or Canada call 1-800-HPINVENt, elsewhere see the contact information here.
As a temporary workaround you could tell the driver you are using photo paper, this will force the printer to use color ink even to print the black.  This is not a good long term solution but may at least allow you to print in a pinch.
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
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    Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" at the bottom of this post to say “Thanks” for helping!
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    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

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    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 7510 - L:ooking at my Print Quality Diagnostic Reports - Why so many more "PHA Drops?"

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    View Solution.

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    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

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    Clean sheets of paper
    Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the print cartridges)
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    Figure : Open the cartridge access door
    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
     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
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    Figure : Clean the area around the ink nozzle
    Nozzle plate - DO NOT CLEAN
    Area surrounding ink nozzle - Do clean
    Cartridge contacts - DO NOT CLEAN
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    The black cartridge () goes in the slot on the right.
    Figure : Insert the cartridge into the slot
    Push the cartridge forward into its slot until it snaps into place.
    Figure : Push the cartridge into the slot
    Repeat these steps to clean the area surrounding the ink nozzle on the other cartridge.
    Close the cartridge access door.
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    Solution seven: Replace the problem cartridge
    Follow these steps to replace the problem cartridge, and then align the printer.
    Step one: Remove the problem cartridge 
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    Figure : Open the cartridge access door
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    Figure : Pull and press to remove the cartridges
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    The black cartridge (right-hand slot)
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     CAUTION:Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or ink nozzles. Also, do not re-tape the cartridges. Doing so can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
    Figure : Remove the protective tape
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    The tri-color cartridge () goes in the slot on the left
    The black cartridge () goes in the slot on the right
    Figure : Insert the cartridge into its slot
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    Figure : Install the second cartridge
    Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door
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    Source
    Please let me know the result of your troubleshooting by responding to this post.  If you I have helped you restore colour printing capabilities, feel free to give me a virtual high-five by clicking on the 'Thumbs Up' icon below.  
    Have a great day!  
    E-roq
    I work on behalf of HP.
    Please click Accept as Solution if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
    Click Kudos Thumbs Up on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

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    Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!
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    I work on behalf of HP

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