Can I clean the C9381A Printhead instead of buying a new one?

Look on you tube for a video on how to clean the print head.

Check if the service station proper covers the black nozzles when the printhead is parked. Sometimes the mechanics change its position and the printhead dries out.
Try to unclog the nozzles with very hot water. Sometimes it helps. The new printhead is very expensive and you may want to buy a new printer instead.
Remove the printhed, put it in a bowl with the nozzles down and fill with boiled water until the nozzles are covered. Wait 15 min and dry the electric contacts with a dry napkin. Good luck!

There is a clean prinhead utility in the windows driver.
1. From the printers and faxes window right click on the K5400 icon and select properties.
2. Select the printing preferences then features tab then the services tab.
3. Click clean printheads.

The printer will go through a printhead cleaning process. When its done check the print quality again. If the quality does not improve I would recommend replacing the HP 88 Black and yellow printhead part# C9381A which is user replaceable and comes with install instructions.

I would guess that the printhead is bad. Google cleaning printheads or get a new one. Sometimes , not always you can clean the printhead instead of replacing. (take out and clean by hand)

The problem is in the print head.It's clogged or damaged.You need to replace it.It's part number is C9381A - HP #88 Printhead - Black and Yellow

Unfortunately, it sounds like you need a new printhead C9381A. You can hope that it's clogged from lack of use and go into printer properties and attempt to clean it (it will use a lot of ink in the process). However, the the black/yellow printhead generally wears out faster than the C9382A cyan/magenta printhead. Replacement should cost around $70 for each.

If you print primarily black, your black/yellow printhead may have worn out and needs to be replaced. Go to start, printers and faxes, select the L7680 and then select properties. Print a test page and run the troubleshooter to clean the nozzles and lines. If it's not the nozzles or lines, search for C9381A on google and purchase a new printhead it should be about $70.

Try printing a Diagnostic page or clean cartridge. Looks like the printheads might be clogged due to low usage or general wear and tear, they may not be working as desired.

Your printer does indeed have cartridges...4 in fact, along with 2 printheads. 1 printhead is for Magenta/cyan. The other for Black/yellow.

You know where the printheads are. The ink cartridges are below them. There is a door that pulls down to expose all four.

Here is a link to HP Support for changing your ink cartridges: L7580 Ink Cartridge

Consider XL cartridges...they last much longer.

Also, for reference, here is a link to the User Guide for your printer: L7580 User Guide

my printer won't print using black ink, I have installed a new carriage, could it be the printhead