Is there a possibility of a hardware malfunction preventing black ink from printing?

Yes, although less common, a hardware malfunction is possible. This could involve a faulty print head, a problem with the ink pump, or an internal circuit issue. If all other troubleshooting steps fail, consider contacting Epson support or a qualified printer technician for diagnosis and repair. A malfunctioning print head is often the culprit if cleaning cycles do not resolve the issue.