Black only printing

[duffym]

Why will my printer not print in black when the color cartridges are low or empty?

[banhien · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Normally to protect itself from damages do to "missing" components (in this case inks which may cause damages its print heads) it will stop printing, even during warming up process.

Hope this makes sense.

[duffym]

Thanks.  So...the printer uses color ink when I choose black only.  Correct?

[duffym]

Thanks for you help.  This is one loyal HP user that will be looking elsewhere for a printer.

[Vigilant1]

I doubt there's any technical reason my HP printer could not be designed to print black even without color cartridges in it. The logical reason why it won't is that HP wants to sell color cartridges. You can guess what I think of that. I'll be reading the specs before I buy another printer.

[dean1965]

its pissed me off when come to print black and white only it says colour needs to be replaced. Now have to go out and get colour FOR no reason. Time to look for new printer that will print black and white only much cheaper. HP proved to exspensive to run. 

[AnotherRipoff]

You can't fight these big companies. Ripping you off every chance they get. That's why there's no contact to the company.