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HP Officejet, Deskjet 4600 Printers - Black Ink Not Printing and other Print Quality Issues

This document is for HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 4615, 4625, Officejet 4610, 4620, and 4622 e-All-in-One printers.
The quality of a printed document or photo is not as expected. The procedures in this document should help with streaked or faded printouts, color or black ink not printing, documents with blurred or fuzzy text, ink streaks or smears, and other print quality problems.

Solution one: Use genuine HP cartridges

HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink or toner supplies. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. If you do not use genuine HP cartridges, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue. To check the authenticity of your cartridges, go to the HP anti-counterfeit webpage (in English).
Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.

Solution two: Allow automatic servicing to complete

Your printer has an automatic servicing routine that can solve many print quality issues. There is nothing you need to do. The print quality should improve a few hours after you experience the issue.
If you cannot wait for the automatic servicing routine to complete, continue with the following troubleshooting steps.

Solution three: Check the paper

Follow these guidelines to make sure that the paper you are using is appropriate for the print job. If paper is not appropriate, reload the printer with an appropriate paper type.
note:
To learn the types of paper your printer supports, see the specifications for your printer.
  • Load the paper print side down in the input tray. Many papers have printing and nonprinting sides, such as photo paper and envelopes. Usually, the smoother side is the "print side," and sometimes the non-print side has a logo of the paper manufacturer on it.
  • Do not use wrinkled or curled paper. Use only clean, wrinkle-free paper.
    Do not use wrinkled paper
  • Use the correct paper type for your project.
    • For everyday text documents, plain paper with ColorLok technology works well. Paper with ColorLok technology is industry-standard paper that works well with HP ink.
      ColorLok logo
    • For documents with dense printing, such as high contrast graphics or photos, use HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results.
    • Some paper might not absorb ink as well as others. If your prints smear easily, make sure you are using a recommended paper.
  • Store photo paper in its original packaging inside a resealable plastic bag. Store the paper on a flat surface in a cool, dry place. Load 10-20 sheets of photo paper only when you are ready to print, and then put the unused paper back in the packaging.
  • Try using a different paper. This determines if the problem is related to the paper.

Solution four: Check the print settings

Solution five: Check the estimated ink levels, and then replace any low or empty cartridges

Follow these steps to check the estimate ink levels, and then replace any low or empty cartridges according to the results.

Step one: Check the 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.
  1. On the printer control panel, press the Setup icon .
  2. Press the button next to OK to select Ink Information.
  3. Press the button next to OK to select Estimated Levels.
    The Estimated Levels gauge displays.
  4. In the Estimated Levels gauge, check the ink levels for each ink cartridge. Note any that are low or empty.
    Figure : Estimated ink level gauge on the control panel
    Image: Estimated Ink Level gauge on the control panel.
  • If none of the cartridges are low on ink, you do not need to replace them yet. Skip to the next solution in this document.
  • If any of the cartridges are low on ink, continue to the next step to replace them.

Step two: Replace any low or empty cartridges

Watch this video for help to replace the cartridges, and then follow the steps to replace any low or empty cartridges.

Video of replacing the cartridges

The following video demonstrates how to replace ink cartridges.
note:
This video shows the HP Officejet 4620 e-All-in-One Printer series, but the steps are the same for your printer.
Replacing a Cartridge - HP Officejet 4620 e-All-in-One Printer
Replacing a Cartridge - HP Officejet 4620 e-All-in-One Printer
Learn how to replace a cartridge in the HP Officejet 4620 e-All-in-One Printer.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.
Replace any low or empty ink cartridges.
  1. Turn on the printer.
  2. Locate the two slots on the sides of the printer.
    Figure : Slots on the left and right sides of the printer
    Image: Slots on the left and right sides of the product
  3. Place your fingers in the slots on the right and left sides of the product, and then lift to open the ink cartridge access door.
    The carriage moves into the carriage access area.
    Figure : Open the ink cartridge access door
    Image: Open the ink cartridge access door
  4. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you proceed.
  5. Press the tab inward on the front of the old ink cartridge to release it, and then pull up on the ink cartridge to remove it from the slot.
    Figure : Remove the ink cartridge from its slot
    Image: Remove the ink cartridge from its slot
  6. Pull the orange pull tab straight back to remove the new ink cartridge from its packaging.
    Figure : Pull the orange tab straight back
    Image: Pull the orange tab straight back
      caution:
    Make sure 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 ink cartridge. When you remove the plastic wrap, the paper label on the top of the ink cartridge tears slightly, which is necessary to properly vent the ink cartridge.
  7. Twist the protective orange cap counter-clockwise to snap it off the ink cartridge.
    Figure : Twist the orange cap to snap it off the cartridge
    Image: Twist the orange cap to snap it off the ink cartridge
  8. Hold the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge contacts are facing toward the product.
  9. Match the colored dot on the ink cartridge with the dot of the same color on the carriage.
  10. Slide the new ink cartridge into its slot, and then gently press the ink cartridge down until it clicks into place.
    Figure : Insert the ink cartridge
    Image: Install the ink cartridge
  11. Repeat these steps for other ink cartridges, if necessary.
  12. Close the ink cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the ink cartridge access door
    Image: Close the ink cartridge access door

Solution six: Print and evaluate a Print Quality Diagnostic Report

Follow these steps to print and then evaluate the Print Quality Diagnostic Report.

Step one: Print the report

  1. Load plain white U.S. letter or A4 size paper in the tray.
  2. On the control panel home screen, press the Setup icon .
  3. Press the button next to the Down Arrow until Reports displays next to OK.
  4. Press the button next to OK to select Reports.
  5. Press the button next to the Down Arrow until Print Quality Report displays next to OK, and then press the button next to OK. The report prints.
    Figure : Example of the report
    Image: Example of the test report

Step two: Check the report for defects

If the printer and the cartridges are working correctly, all the color bars in the test report should be complete, unstreaked and uniform in color across the width of the page. The black text on the page should not have ink streaks.
The following table includes examples of defects on the Print Quality Diagnostic report. The examples are not all inclusive but they represent the most common print quality issues.
Examples of defects on the Print Quality Diagnostic Report
Defect
Example
Large text is ragged on one end
Image: Ragged large text
Irregularly streaked or faded color bars
Image: Streaked or faded color bars
Ragged color bars
Image: Ragged color bars
Color bars are streaked with another color
Image: Streaked color bars
Color blocks have regular white streaks
Image: White streaks in the color bars
Jagged alignment patterns
Image: Jagged alignment patterns
  • If you do not see defects on the test page, the print mechanism and ink cartridges work correctly. Do not continue the troubleshooting steps in this document. If printouts are still unsatisfactory, try the following general print quality guidelines.
    • Make sure that the image you are printing has sufficient resolution. Images that are enlarged too much might appear fuzzy or blurry.
    • If the issue is confined to a band near the edge of a printout, use the software you installed with the printer or another software program to rotate the image 180 degrees. The problem might not display on the other end of the printout.
    Garbled, illogical text, and incomplete printout (graphic)
    Windows only: If you are experiencing garbled, jumbled or illogical text, incomplete printouts, or missing text or graphics, go to Continuous Pages of Strange or Garbled Characters Print in Windows
  • If you see one or more of these defects on the test page, continue to the next step.

Step three: Make sure that the cartridges are properly vented and seated correctly

If the vent on the top of the cartridge is clogged or obstructed, the cartridge might not work properly. Follow these steps to make sure that the cartridges are properly vented and seated correctly.
  1. 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 you continue.
  2. Locate the two slots on the left and right sides of the printer.
    Figure : Locations of the two slots
    Image: Locations of the two slots
  3. Slide your fingers into the two slots, and then lift up to open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves into the access area.
    Figure : Open the cartridge access door
    Image: Open the cartridge access door.
  4. Press 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 ink cartridge from its slot
    Image: Remove the ink cartridge from its slot
  5. Locate the vent area on the top of the cartridge.
    Figure : Vent area on the top of the cartridge
    Image: Vent area on the top of the cartridge
  6. If the cartridge still has the orange pull-tab attached, pull to remove it.
    Figure : Orange pull tab
    Image: Orange pull tab.
  7. If the vent is clogged, use a straight pin to gently remove excess adhesive from the vent.
      Figure : Clean the clogged vent with a pin
      Image: Clean the clogged vent with a pin.
    1. Clogged vent
    2. With a straight pin, gently remove excess adhesive from the vent
    3. Unclogged vent
  8. With 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 cartridge
    Image: Insert the cartridge
  9. Repeat these steps to inspect the vents on each of the cartridges.
  10. 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.
  11. Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door
    Image: Close the cartridge access door
  12. Print, and then review another test page.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next step.

Step four: Use an automated tool to clean the printhead

Follow these steps to run an automated tool to clean the printhead.
  caution:
Never turn off the printer when ink cartridges are not installed. To avoid issues that require cleaning the printhead or that can damage the ink system, always replace ink cartridges as soon as possible, and always turn off the printer using the Power button.
  1. Load plain, white U.S. letter or A4 size paper in the input tray.
  2. On the printer control panel, press the Setup icon .
  3. Press the button next to the arrow until Tools displays next to OK.
  4. Press the button next to OK to select Tools, and then press the button next to the arrow until Clean Printhead displays next to OK.
  5. Press the button next to OK to clean the printheads.
    The printer cleans the printheads and then prints a test page.
  6. Evaluate the test page for print quality.
    Figure : Example of the printhead cleaning test page
    Image: Example of the printhead cleaning test page.
    • If the print quality on the test page is satisfactory, touch No to return to the current print job.
    • If the print quality on the test page is unsatisfactory, touch Yes to perform a secondary cleaning of the printhead.
      There are three printhead cleaning stages. Complete all three stages if necessary. If the printhead is badly clogged, it might require another cleaning cycle. If so, wait 30 minutes after the last (third) cleaning stage to start the first stage of the cleaning process over again.

Step five: Update the printer firmware

If cleaning the printhead fixed the problem, select the link for your printer to install the latest firmware update. The firmware update can prevent future printing problems.
note:
Currently, firmware updates are only available for Windows operating systems.
  1. Select your printer:
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the firmware update for your printer.
  • If you do not see defects on the test page, the print mechanism and cartridges work correctly. Do not continue the troubleshooting steps in this document.
  • If you see defects on the test page, try the second-stage cleaning option the printer offers. If you still see defects on the test page, continue to the next step.

Step six: Align the printer

Follow these steps to align the printer if you found defects on the test report.
  1. Make sure that there is plain white U.S. letter or A4 size paper in the tray.
  2. On the printer control panel, press the Setup icon .
  3. Press the button next to the Down Arrow until Tools displays next to OK.
  4. Press the button next to OK to select Tools, and then press the button next to the Down Arrow until Align Printhead displays next to OK.
  5. Press the button next to OK to align the printhead. The printer aligns the printhead, and then prints an alignment page.
  6. Lift the scanner lid.
    Figure : Lift the scanner lid
    Image: Lift the scanner lid
  7. Load the alignment page print-side down in the right-front corner of the glass.
    Figure : Load the alignment page on the scanner glass
    Image: Load the alignment page on the scanner glass
  8. Press the button next to OK. The printer scans the alignment page.

Solution seven: Replace the problem ink cartridge

Use the steps described earlier in this document to replace any problem ink cartridges, even if they still contain ink.
If you have a defective cartridge or printhead, it might be under warranty. To check the warranty on your ink or toner supplies, go to Printer and Page Yield Overview, and then review the limited warranty information for your supplies.
If replacing the problem ink cartridge did not resolve the issue, continue to the next step.

Solution eight: Service the printer

Service or replace your HP product if the issue persists after completing all the preceding steps.
Go to Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a product repair or replacement. If you are in Asia Pacific, you will be directed to a local service center in your area.
To confirm your warranty status, go to HP Product Warranty Check. Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty products.
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.

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics
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