Missing color in HP Photosmart 1215 printer

[Karl T. Thurber, Jr.]

In my four-year-old HP Photosmart color printer, I am missing the yellow
color in printouts, causing gross color unbalance in printouts.

Printing a test or diagnostic page shows a complete loss of the yellow
portion on the page--no yellow is printing whatsoever. All other colors
and black-and-white print normally.

I tried cleaning the cartridge nozzles and contacts, as well as the
carriage contacts. I also cleaned and primed the printer with no
improvement. Finally, I changed both cartridges with no improvement. (My
HP replacement cartridges are several years old, but they print
properly, except of course for yellow.)

If I print in grayscale, color images appear bluish in tint, rather than
gray.

Anyone with suggestions as to how to proceed? If an internal printer
problem, is it worth having it repaired at this point?

 

[Bob Headrick]

In my four-year-old HP Photosmart color printer, I am missing the yellow
color in printouts, causing gross color unbalance in printouts.

Finally, I changed both cartridges with no improvement. (My HP replacement
cartridges are several years old, but they print properly, except of course
for yellow.)

Cartridges have a shelf life, and if your new cartridges are "several" years
old they are probably beyond the shelf life. Check the warranty date on the
cartridge as shown at:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=bua02014.
If the cartridges are within warranty then contact HP or your dealer for a
replacement. If the cartridges are beyond their warranty date then fresh new
cartridges will solve your problem. When buying new cartridges look for the
"install by" date on the box. I would look for cartridges with at least six
months remaining before the "install by" date, resulting in a year of remaining
warranty.

When storing cartridges for an extended period of time keep them in a cool
place and keep tem upright as they would hang on a store display.

You may have some limited success by various methods to get the yellow printing
again. Search for "yellow cartridge sock" in google groups for a few hints. I
have not personally tried the sock method but it could work.

A new fresh cartridge is your best option.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP