When printing in Black, does the HP 8025e also use Magenta?

[bshelden49]

I have an Officejet Pro 8025e printer.  I have set my printer to use only black ink and never colored ink.  I do not have it set for gray scales.  I keep having the magenta color ink running out, my printing gets interrupted, and I must replace the Magenta cartridge.  Can anything be done?   I was wondering if, when printing in Black, the printer uses some Magenta ink

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @bshelden49,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Many HP printers, including the OfficeJet Pro 8025e, use a small amount of color ink even when printing in black to maintain printhead health and avoid clogging. This is often referred to as "servicing" or "maintenance cycles", where color inks are periodically used to keep the nozzles clear.
 

Why Magenta is Running Out Even When Printing in Black:

Printhead Maintenance:

• HP printers perform periodic cleaning cycles that use a small amount of all color inks, including Magenta.
• Even when set to print only in black, some printers mix a tiny amount of color ink to create richer blacks or prevent smudging on certain paper types.
• If the "Print in Black Only" or "Monochrome" mode is not explicitly selected for every print job, some color ink may be used.

If you want to use only black, please try the steps below.

1. Enable "Black Ink Only" in Every Print Job:

• Go to Printer Preferences or Printer Properties before printing.
• Under Print Quality, select Black & White or Black Ink Only (not grayscale).
• Save this as a default setting if possible.
   

2. Firmware or Software Update:

• Outdated firmware can cause unnecessary ink usage.
• Go to HP Support > Software & Drivers, enter your printer model, and check for updates.
  I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, as it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support 

[bshelden49]

Hi @VikramTheGreat,

Under Printer Preferences, each print job is set to use Black and White at 600 dpi.

I replaced the three color cartridges at the same time. The Blue and Yellow show slight usage, but the Magenta is empty.

I've updated the Firmware, and it will take a while to see if the Magenta cartridge issue is solved.

I'll update this Post with the outcome.

Thank you for being so helpful

.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @bshelden49,

It sounds like you’ve been thorough with your troubleshooting — replacing all three color cartridges and updating the firmware is a great approach. The fact that the Magenta cartridge is showing empty while the others show slight usage could indicate a hardware or cartridge-related issue, but updating the firmware might resolve it.
 

I really appreciate your willingness to keep us updated on the outcome. I hope the firmware update does the trick! If you notice the same issue persists or need any further help, feel free to reach out — I’m here to help! 💙
 

Good luck, and thank you for your kind words! 😊

VikramTheGreat

HP Support