Force printer to print black only

[gfacio]

HP Office JetPro 7740 isn't letting print in black only and is prompting me to replace one or more of the empty color cartridges that is indeed empty (Y is empty, but i do not need it). 

1. Is there a way to only have the printer use black ink?

2. Like what if i never bought color ink, would that just render my printer inoperable because it'll just read that im missing cartridges?

3. I've tried taking out all the color ink cartridges and turning off/on printer, no avail

4. Tried taking out the cartridge that is empty, still no 

How do i get my printer to just use black only.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @gfacio 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

To force your HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 to print in black only, follow these steps:

1. Change Printer Settings

You can adjust the print settings to prioritize black ink:

On Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on your HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 and select Printer Properties.
3. Click on the Printing Preferences tab.
4. Look for an option labeled Print in Grayscale or Black & White and select it.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

On Mac:

1. Open System Preferences and select Printers & Scanners.
2. Choose your HP printer and click on Options & Supplies.
3. Go to the Driver or Options tab and select Use Grayscale or similar settings.

2. Consider Cartridge Requirements

Regarding your concern about the printer's functionality without color cartridges:

• Many HP printers, including yours, are designed to require all cartridges to be installed, even if you're only printing in black. If one color cartridge is empty, it may prevent printing altogether. This is akin to a car needing all four tires to function properly, even if you're only driving short distances.

3. Possible Workarounds

If the above settings don’t resolve the issue:

Remove Color Cartridges: Since you’ve already tried removing the empty color cartridge, try replacing it with a new one or a compatible empty cartridge. Sometimes, having a non-functional cartridge can help the printer recognize that it can operate without it.

Firmware Updates: Check for any firmware updates on the HP website that may address issues with printing in black only.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support