Photosmart 5520 - Black not printing on some things

Question

My 5520 has been fitted with new cartridges and all work except the black.  Strangely, black (or at least grey) writing prints on the quality/print report and the cartridge shows as full when this is checked by the on screen request.  However, the print report has a completely blank rectangle under the 'black' heading.  I have followed all the usual steps but I am confused as to why I get black printing but no black on pictures.

Answer 1

HI , Welcome to the HP Support Forums! I understand that you're unable to print black on your HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One Printer. I will certainly do my best to help you. I would try the steps within this guide, Printer Prints a Blank Page or Does Not Print Black or Color Ink for the HP Photosmart 5520 and Deskjet Ink Advantage 5520 e-All-in-One Printer Series.  Solution one: Use genuine HP ink cartridges HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink cartridges. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ink cartridges or refilled HP ink cartridges. If you do not use genuine HP ink cartridges, the steps in this document might not resolve print quality issues.Visit HP SureSupply to check ink cartridge compatibility or purchase replacement ink cartridges.Go to the HP SureSupply website.Scroll to the bottom of the page, and then make sure the country/region location is correct.Follow the on-screen instructions to order new ink cartridges or check ink cartridge compatibility with your printer.Genuine HP ink cartridges can also be purchased from other retailers. Solution two: Check the estimated ink levels, and then replace any low or empty ink cartridgesLow ink can contribute to poor print quality. Follow these steps to check the estimated ink levels, and then replace any low or empty ink cartridges. Step 1: Check the estimated ink levelsFollow these steps to check the estimated ink levels.From the home screen of the printer control panel, touch the Ink icon (). The current ink levels display.Figure : Example of estimated ink levels 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 cartridges are low on ink, you do not need to replace them yet. Continue to the next solution.If any of the cartridges are low on ink, continue to the next step to replace them.Step 2: Replace any low or empty ink cartridgesFollow these steps to replace any low or empty ink cartridges.Video of replacing the ink cartridges The following video demonstrates how to replace a cartridge.  If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.If the product is off, press the Power button () to turn on the product. Wait until the product is idle and silent before continuing.Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the access area.Figure : Open the cartridge access doorPress the tab on the front of the cartridge inward to release it, and then pull up on the cartridge to remove it from the slot.Figure : Remove the cartridge from the slotRemove the plastic wrap from a new cartridge by pulling the orange tab.Figure : Remove the plastic wrap from a new cartridge CAUTION: Make sure that you remove the orange pull-tab and plastic wrap completely before you twist the orange cap in the next step. Otherwise, ink might leak from the cartridge. When you remove the plastic wrap, the paper label on the top of the cartridge tears slightly, which is necessary to vent the cartridge.Remove the orange cap from the cartridge. Twist the cap counter-clockwise until it snaps off.Figure : Remove the orange cap from the cartridgeWith the nozzle and the contacts facing down, push the cartridge into its slot. Press down on the cartridge until it is firmly seated. Make sure that the color icon on the cartridge label matches the color icon on the slot.Figure : Insert the cartridgeRepeat these steps to insert the other cartridges.Close the cartridge access door.Figure : Close the cartridge access doorStep 3: Align the printer Follow these steps to align the printer using the control panel.From the home screen, touch the Setup icon (), and then touch Tools.Touch the Down Arrow (), and then touch Align Printer. The alignment page prints.Lift the lid on the printer, and then place the alignment page print side down in the right front corner of the scanner glass.Figure : Place the alignment page on the scanner glassClose the lid, and then press OK on the control panel. The printer will align automatically. Press OK to continue.Solution three: Make sure that the ink cartridges are properly vented and seated correctlyIf the vent on the top of the ink cartridge is clogged or obstructed, the ink cartridge might not work properly. Follow these steps to make sure that the ink cartridges are properly vented and seated correctly.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 continuing.Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the access area.Figure : Open the cartridge access doorPress the tab on the front of the cartridge inward to release it, and then pull up on the cartridge to remove it from the slot.Figure : Remove the cartridge from the slotExamine the vent area on each cartridge, above the HP logo on the top of the cartridge.Figure : Vent area on the top of the cartridgeIf the cartridge still has the orange pull-tab attached, pull to remove it.Figure : Orange pull tabIf the vent is clogged, use a straight pin to gently remove excess adhesive from the vent.Figure : Clean the clogged vent with a pinClogged ventWith a straight pin, gently remove excess adhesive from the ventUnclogged ventWith the nozzle and contacts facing down, slide the cartridge into its slot. Press down on the cartridge until it clicks into place. NOTE: Make sure that each cartridge is installed in the correct slot. Match the shape of the icon and the color of the cartridge with the slot that has the same shaped icon and color.Figure : Reinsert the cartridgeRepeat these steps to inspect the vents on each of the cartridges.Make sure that each cartridge is firmly in place in its slot. Run your finger along the top of the cartridges to feel for any that are protruding, and if any are, press down firmly until each cartridge snaps into place.Close the cartridge access door.Figure : Close the cartridge access doorTry the print job again.Solution four: Clean the printheadFollow these steps to use an automated tool to clean the printhead.Make sure that plain white U.S. letter or A4 size paper is loaded in the tray.From the control panel home screen, touch the Settings icon (), and then touch Tools.Touch the Down Arrow (), and then touch Clean Printhead. The product cleans the printheads, and then prints a test page.Review the print quality on the test page.Figure : Example of the printhead cleaning test pageIf the print quality on the test page is satisfactory, return to the current print job.If the print quality on the test page is unsatisfactory, perform a secondary cleaning of the printhead.If the printhead is badly clogged, it might require another cleaning cycle. If so, wait 30 minutes after the last cleaning stage to start the first stage of the cleaning process over again. NOTE:  Never turn off the printer when ink cartridges are missing. Make sure that you replace any missing ink cartridges as soon as possible to avoid print quality issues and possible extra ink usage or damage to the ink system. To avoid issues that require cleaning the printhead, always turn the printer off with the Power button on the printer itself.Solution five: Service the printer Contacting HP for service in all countries/regions except Asia Pacific.If you completed all the preceding steps and your product still has an issue, service the product.First, go to Check your product warranty to check your printer warranty status, and then go to Contact HP Support to find an authorized service dealer or to schedule a repair.Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty printers. 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. What you can do, is use the following link to create yourself a case number, then call and it may help speed up the call process:
Step 1. Open link: www.hp.com/contacthp/
Step 2. Enter Product number or select to auto detect
Step 3. Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your
contact options"
Step 4. Scroll down and click on: HP contact options - click on Get phone
number
Case number and phone number appear. I hope this helps. Good Luck!