DIAGNOSIS The ink is not flowing from the tank to the print head. This is usually an air lock in the ink tubing or a clog right at the inlet where the tube meets the print head.
FIX Prime the black ink system manually.
1. On the printer screen, go to Home > Setup > Maintenance.
2. Select Ink Charge. This will run a powerful pump cycle on all channels, focusing on pulling ink through the tubes. Let it complete (takes a few minutes).
3. Immediately print a Nozzle Check Pattern. If black is still missing or faint, proceed.
4. With printer ON, open the front cover. The print head will move to the center. Locate the black ink inlet port (small hole) on the head.
5. Using a clean plastic syringe (no needle), gently insert a few drops of distilled water into the port. Then close the cover and run one Print Head Cleaning cycle.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The ink tank might have a faulty air vent, creating a vacuum. Open the black tank's fill cap, listen for a hiss, close it, and run Ink Charge again. If problem persists, the print head itself may be damaged.
HEADS UP Never use tap water or any chemical in the ink system unless it's distilled water as a last resort. And never inject ink directly into the print head—you'll overfill and cause internal leaks.