• ×
    Information
    Windows update impacting certain printer icons and names. Microsoft is working on a solution.
    Click here to learn more
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Windows update impacting certain printer icons and names. Microsoft is working on a solution.
    Click here to learn more
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
Experiencing 'Printer Blocked' or 'Printer Error' message? Click here for more information.
Check some of the most frequent questions about Instant Ink: HP INSTANT INK, HP+ PLANS: INK AND TONER.


Check out our Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues info about: Print quality and Cartridge Issues.
HP Recommended

Help!  Officejet 5746 worked fine last week. Now, only blank pages.  Ink level ok.  Tried cleaning cartridges.  Slight ink visible in 1 or 2 spots now, but that's it. 

3 REPLIES 3
HP Recommended

Hi @help54

 

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you with the printing issue. 

 

To better assist you - Are you using genuine HP inks? 

 

While you respond to that, please try these steps - HP OfficeJet Printers - Fixing Print Quality Problems

 

Also, try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

 

Have a great day! 

Asmita
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

I'm using windows 7 home for an OS on a Dell computer.

 

My 5746 appears to use the color ink cartridge when printing black and white & shades of gray.  I have set the paper/quality settings for the printer Quality to Draft and Color to Black & White.  I very seldom do any color printing.  However, the color cartridge runs out of ink about the same time as the black cartridge.  On my old HP printer,  I'd go through several black cartridges to one of the color cartridges.

 

Any idea how to get the printer to NOT use the color ink when printing text or shades of gray?

 

TIA

 

John

 

HP Recommended

@jblair1948

 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

 

You can try using the Printer in single cartridge mode that is take out the color ink and print.

 

Also, printing in black also uses some amount of ink from the color cartridges and some ink from all the ink cartridges is used in periodic servicing tasks.

 

I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you need any further assistance. 

 

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

 

Thanks!

Have a great day!

 

 

 

 


I am an HP Employee

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.