How to Fix Black Ink Not Printing on HP 8020: Cleaner Kit and Troubleshooting Tips

Question:

My HP 8020 printer suddenly stopped printing black ink. I’ve already tried replacing the cartridges, cleaning the printhead, aligning the printer, and even applying rubbing alcohol, but nothing worked. Is there a specific cleaner kit you recommend, preferably one with a syringe?

Answer:

Common Cause: Black Ink Stoppage in HP 8020 Printers

Your case is, unfortunately, a common one with HP OfficeJet 8020 series printers, which use thermal inkjet technology. When the black ink suddenly stops printing—despite new cartridges, head cleaning, and even manual attempts like rubbing alcohol—it often means the printhead has become clogged internally, particularly with dried pigment ink.

Since rubbing alcohol is not always effective for breaking down pigment-based clogs (and may actually dry out the printhead further if used improperly), a dedicated cleaner that can dissolve the specific ink formulation is necessary.

Recommended Solution: HP Printhead Cleaning Kit with Syringe

We recommend using our HP Printhead Cleaning Kit that includes an unclogging adapter specifically designed to connect directly to the ink ports and apply cleaning solution under controlled pressure using a syringe. This is especially effective for stubborn clogs that prevent black ink from being ejected.

You can find the kit here:
Unclogging Adapter Kit for HP Printhead Cleaning (with Syringe)
(https://bchtechnologies.com/products/unclogging-adapter-for-hp-printhead-cleaning-564-902-910-920-934-935-1-pair?_pos=10&_sid=49c416190&_ss=r)

This kit is compatible with HP cartridges in the 902 series, which includes those used in HP 8020 models. The cleaner works by flushing out hardened ink deposits from the nozzles, restoring proper ink flow. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, applying light, even pressure and allowing the solution to sit for several minutes to dissolve dried ink before flushing again.

Other Things to Check

• Printhead Alignment & Re-seat:
  After cleaning, run a full alignment. If your printer uses a semi-permanent printhead (not attached to the cartridge), you may need to lift the latch, remove the head assembly, clean the contacts gently, and reseat it.

• Blocked Vent or Ink Flow Path:
  Make sure the vent holes on top of your ink cartridge (usually a small slit or hole) are not blocked. If the vent is clogged, ink won’t flow even if the cartridge is full.

• Firmware or Software Reset:
  Occasionally, printers misreport ink usage or block printing due to firmware bugs. Power cycle your printer, and check HP’s support site for firmware updates that may restore functionality.

Fixing printer issues often requires physical inspection and component-level interaction. As a result, we aren’t able to offer remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we provide in-person diagnostics and repair services through our local repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, our repair queue operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and appointments may be scheduled several weeks out. Whether you need full printer servicing or individual part repair, we aim to offer clear guidance at every step. That said, we understand our service fees may not be the most economical. If you prefer a DIY route, we strongly suggest visiting our YouTube homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and using the search icon to find detailed videos about your specific issue. With hundreds of videos over the past nine years, there’s a good chance we—or other creators—have covered your problem.

Thanks again for your message, and we hope you get your HP 8020 back up and printing in no time. Let us know if you need further assistance—we’re here to help!