Use of Ink

[Wendy-411]

I am printing mostly letters or black and white documents and using mostly colored ink.  Why the printer not using the black ink?

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Wendy-411,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e All-in-One Printer is not using black ink for primarily black and white documents, it could be due to several factors:

• Ink Cartridge Settings: Sometimes, the printer defaults to using color cartridges even for black and white printing. You can check the print settings to ensure that it is set to use black ink only. In the print dialog box, select "Black & White" or "Grayscale" under the color options to force it to use black ink.
• Cartridge Issues: If the black ink cartridge is low or not functioning correctly, the printer may try to compensate by using the color inks. Check the ink levels on the printer or through the HP Smart app. You might need to replace the black cartridge if it’s empty or clogged.
• Color Cartridge Dependency: Some HP printers, including the OfficeJet Pro series, require all ink cartridges to be installed and functional, even if you're printing in black and white. If the color cartridges are low or empty, the printer may not print, or it may substitute the black ink with color ink.
• Automatic Color Correction: Some printers use automatic color correction settings that may influence the ink usage. You can disable color correction features in the printer settings to ensure that black ink is used for black text.
• Printhead Clogging: If the black printhead is clogged or there’s a blockage, the printer might avoid using black ink and rely on color inks. Running a cleaning cycle for the printhead can help resolve this.

You can adjust the settings on your printer through the control panel or the HP Smart app to ensure it's set to print in black and white, or you can check the ink cartridges and run a printhead cleaning cycle if necessary.

Refer to this document:  HP OfficeJet 6900, 8010, 8020, 8030 printers - No black ink, wrong colors, other print quality issue...

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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