C6380 suddenly not printing colors

[Jeannine]

My HP 6380 is only a month old.  It was working fine until a day or so ago when it quit printing colors.  I was getting a low ink reminder, so I replaced the the yellow, magenta and cyan colors, but it is still not printing the colors.  Help!  Jennine

[PrintDoc]

What computer operating system are you using?  It sounds like a printer driver setting problem to me, but getting to the settings will vary based on what kind of OS you are using.

[Jeannine]

Windows XP

[PrintDoc]

OK, lets check the default settings on the printer driver:

- Control Panel, Printers and Faxes

- Right click the printer in question, Printing Preferences

- Check on the different tabs for a wayward setting (key suspect would be: is "Print in grayscale" checked under the Color Tab?).

As a good tip, this is where you set the default settings for a printer.  If you just hit print from any application and do nothing else, these are the settings that are used.

[Jeannine]

Thanks, I  already tried that and everything looks ok........nothing has been changed.  It was printing a quantity of papers and the last few did not print completely.  I did not try to clean the heads because I don't want to waste the ink if not necessary (besides, I can't find the button to do that and the manual doesn't cover the topic).  It seems to me that it might be a plugged line of some sort.....???

[PrintDoc]

There are no lines (tubes) in this printer.  Did you also replace the photo-black cartridge?  It is considered a color and the system may shut down all color printing if it is out (along with C, M & Y).  I cannot remember how the firmware handles low/out of ink in color - I think it may shut down all color printing.

[Jeannine]

No, I didn't.  It didn't seem as low.  So, it is off to the nearest store tonight to get a cartridge.  I'll let you know what happens!  Thanks.  Jeannine

[PrintDoc]

You can get them as a set at Costco for a pretty good price.

[Jeannine]

Whew!  That was it!  Thanks!! My previous printer would print until one cartridge went dry and then quit untill it was replaced.  This seems like such a waste of ink.  Oh well.  Thanks again.  Jeannine

[PrintDoc]

This is doing the same thing.  You ran dry of one of the 4 colors (C,Y,M and photo Black) and the color printing shut down.  At least this printer allowed you to print with the black cartridge and did not shut down all printing.