EPSON XP-245 not printing black

I had this issue after a cartridge replacement. I cleaned the nozzles and the print heads several times, with no success. After aligning the heads horizontally and vertically, it worked. It's worth a try.

Attempt to clean the nozzles with the Epson maintenance software (5 times). No results and original cartridges that were nearly new are empty.
Purchase of new original cartridges (€36 for the pack). We start over with the maintenance. No results. The cartridges are emptying and it still doesn't print in black.
Manual cleaning attempt with cotton swabs and demineralized water. No results.
We start again with the Epson software (cleaning, head alignment... cleaning alignment cleaning ....). Four times in a row and nothing has worked.
The ink level is now at its lowest. Ruin!.. Empty cartridges and the new ones nearing the end: €36 thrown out the window or rather into Epson's pocket.
There's a little bit of ink left: new attempt with cotton swabs and alcohol. No results. The black does not print....
Abandoning the procedure. I took a blacksmith's hammer and I "smashed the face" of this piece of junk printer. Thank you Epson for the reliability and especially for the ease of cleaning the print heads that cannot be removed for simple and easy maintenance!.. Planned obsolescence is at play (everyone turns a blind eye) and a juicy bank account. Thank you Epson! There are still bright days ahead for the company and its shareholders...

I'm taking advantage of this recent message to vent my frustrations.

HUGE SCAM AND COMPLETE JOKE FROM EPSON:
Fifteen days ago, I got a "magenta empty" message on my XP-335. Simple as that, I went to the local supermarket and bought a full pack (39.20€), telling myself that even if the others are full, they’ll probably show me the same trick soon. And I replaced the magenta cartridge.
Since then, I've printed 3 envelopes. They were papers to sign and send back, so no cover letters. And this morning: "Magenta empty." Of course, the printer is inaccessible, and the scanner is too.
THAT'S IT: I, who try to stay within the law, will get what I need to hack the printer. I'm fed up with the financiers making money off the average person!!!
Am I stupid???? Well, yes, my XP-335 is 2 years old. Maybe it's time to pay again, my little guy!!!!

Hello, a similar issue has been reported and a solution has been found.

https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-34808456-encre-noire-qui-ne-fonctionne-plus

Epson are just thieves; their printer indicates more black ink, so I have to buy the complete Epson pack for 40 euros, and the black doesn't work at all. The printer is new, and they refuse to exchange it; I have to send it to Epson and wait at least 4 weeks. A bunch of thieves.

Hello everyone
After removing the cartridge from its slot, I used a cotton swab soaked in a hydroalcoholic solution, making sure that the cotton swab wasn't too soaked.
The result is remarkable!