HP Printer Not Printing Black
When an HP printer stops printing black, the cause is usually simple: clogged nozzles, blocked cartridge vents, the wrong driver settings, or a print queue pointing to an old port. Follow this step-by-step guide to bring black text and graphics back. Move in order—mechanical checks first, then software, then network—to avoid wasting ink or chasing the wrong fix.
Confirm Paper and Environment
Damp, curled, or cheap paper can make black appear washed out. Load fresh, dry sheets and set the paper guides snugly. Store paper in a sealed wrapper away from humidity. If you print on envelopes or heavy stock, choose the matching media type in the driver so the printer applies the right ink load and drying time.
Check Cartridges and Seating
Open the access door and reseat the black cartridge (or the black tank in tri-color models) until it clicks. Remove any orange tape or vent tab left on a new cartridge; a blocked vent stops ink flow and mimics a clog. Inspect for ink on the electrical contacts; if present, gently wipe with a lint-free cloth. Ensure you are using the correct cartridge family for your model—HP uses distinct chipsets across lines.
Run Alignment and Cleaning
In HP Smart or the printer's maintenance menu, run a Printhead Alignment after reseating or replacing cartridges. Next, run Clean Printhead or Clean Cartridges. Print a Print Quality Diagnostic page. If black segments are missing, run a second cleaning. Avoid more than two deep cleanings in a row to prevent ink waste and overheating.
Prime the Black Channel
After cleaning, print 2–3 pages of solid black text or a grayscale block to pull ink through the system. This helps especially after installing a new cartridge or clearing a partial clog. Use normal-quality settings and plain paper to avoid excess ink load.
Driver and Application Settings
In the print dialog, make sure Grayscale is on if you want only black, or off if you expect color. Disable Draft or EconoMode if text is faint. Choose the correct paper type; selecting Photo Paper on plain sheets can flood ink and smear, while choosing plain for glossy can under-ink. Reset driver defaults if you previously customized color controls.
Ports, Offline Status, and Network Checks
If black jobs stay in queue, the issue might be connection rather than ink. On Windows, open Printer properties > Ports and confirm the port matches the current IP or is an HP network port, not a stale USB port. Uncheck Use Printer Offline. On macOS, remove and re-add the printer or add by IP if Bonjour fails. Reserve the printer's IP in your router to keep the port stable.
Firmware and Driver Updates
Open HP Smart or the Embedded Web Server (enter the printer's IP in a browser) and check for firmware updates. Updates can improve ink detection and cleaning routines. If you installed only a basic driver, replace it with HP's full feature software so you get maintenance tools and accurate color management.
Address Streaks and Banding
Streaks in black text usually come from partially clogged nozzles or failing cartridges. After two cleanings, print a full-page black rectangle; improvement indicates you are clearing the clog. Persistent streaks often mean the cartridge is at end of life—swap in a fresh one. On PageWide or OfficeJet Pro models with separate heads, consult HP for printhead cleaning or replacement options.
Handle Smudging and Slow Drying
If black smears, switch to the correct paper type and reduce quality one notch. Extend the output tray fully so pages don't rub. Let photo prints dry for several minutes before stacking. Some models offer a Clean Smear or Paper Path Cleaning tool—run it if you see repeated marks.
USB vs. Wi-Fi Test
To separate ink issues from network issues, connect the printer via USB and print a black test page. If USB prints correctly but Wi-Fi does not, focus on ports, IP reservations, and queue resets. If USB also fails, the problem is likely ink or hardware—return to cleaning and cartridge steps.
Paper Path and Roller Care
Debris in the paper path can cause gaps or light spots where pages slip. Power off, remove paper, and check for scraps. Wipe rollers gently with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water. Reload fresh paper and retest. Clean rollers especially if you hear squeaks or feel uneven feed resistance.
When to Replace the Cartridge or Seek Service
If genuine cartridges still won't print black after cleaning, priming, and firmware updates, the cartridge may be defective or the printhead may be failing. Replace the black cartridge first. For models with integrated heads (DeskJet, ENVY), new cartridges usually resolve the issue. For OfficeJet Pro models with separate heads, contact HP support about head servicing if a new cartridge doesn't help.
Quick Recovery Checklist
- Use fresh paper and reseat the black cartridge; open its vent tab.
- Run alignment, cleaning, and a Print Quality Diagnostic.
- Print solid black pages to prime the channel.
- Reset driver settings; disable draft and choose the right media type.
- Verify the correct printer port/IP and clear offline status.
- Update firmware and use HP's full feature driver.
Work through these steps and most HP printers will restore solid black output without replacing the device. Keep this checklist handy for future cartridge changes or router swaps so black stays reliable.