The Mystery of Missing Black Ink
A prevalent complaint among HP Photosmart 5522 users is the printer’s failure to dispense black ink correctly. Symptoms range from black text appearing faint, streaky, or barely visible, to colors being used in place of black, sometimes resulting in a pinkish hue for text that should be black. This occurs even when brand new HP 364 or similar cartridges are installed and the printer reports no errors. This specific issue is not isolated and appears to be a common fault within the HP Photosmart 5520 series, suggesting a potential underlying design or component susceptibility.
Source: HP Photosmart 5520 not printing properly even with new ink – HP Support Community, Photosmart 5520 printer problem – HP Support Community
Clogged Print Heads: A Primary Suspect
Based on user reports, a significant reason behind the black ink printing failure is a clogged print head. The print head is a critical component responsible for ejecting ink onto the page. Over time, dried ink can accumulate and block the tiny nozzles specifically for the black ink. This blockage prevents ink from flowing freely, resulting in poor or no black output. A suggested method to address a clogged print head involves manual cleaning. This can be done by carefully placing a damp paper towel soaked in a 50% water and 50% Isopropyl Alcohol solution in the printer’s print channel and positioning the print head over it to soak and dissolve the dried ink.
Source: Printer stopped printing black – HP Photosmart 5520 – iFixit
Unforeseen Triggers: Jams and Updates
Interestingly, the problem of not printing black ink can sometimes surface after specific events. One user noted the issue began immediately after clearing a paper jam from the printer, suggesting that the physical act of removing the jam or accessing internal components might inadvertently affect the print head or ink system. Another reported the problem started after connecting the printer to a new wireless network and a subsequent automatic firmware update occurred. This indicates that software changes or network configurations might also, in rare cases, coincide with the development of this printing issue, possibly by affecting the print head’s calibration or function.
Source: HP Photosmart 5520 won’t print black ink. – HP Support Community – 6271420, New Photosmart 5520 won’t print in black – Page 8 – HP Support Community – 1955067
Maintenance and Print Head Park Slot Cleaning
Regular maintenance is key to preventing and solving printing problems like black ink clogs. A specific area often highlighted in maintenance guides is the print head park slot. This is the location where the print head rests when the printer is idle, and it can accumulate dried ink and dust over time. Cleaning this area, in addition to the print head itself, is recommended. While internal cleaning cycles can help, manual cleaning as described earlier, or following specific maintenance guides, can be more effective for stubborn clogs. Performing a *print test page* or using a *printable test page* after cleaning helps diagnose if the issue is resolved and identify which colors are still problematic.
Source: HP Photosmart 5520 Maintenance – iFixit Repair Guide