HP 2050 single cartridge mode issue

[candyia]

I have found several solutions that HP support gave for other users who have similar problem as mine but none of it works.

 I've used this printer for years with no color cartridge. One day I turned on my printer and suddenly it won't print well with the black cartridge only (I haven't inserted a new cartridge what so ever. It has been there and I used to print with this ink with no problem- the black cartridge is still full), with a message below:

Single ink cartridge mode

--Tri color

A cartridge is not detected as available for printing.

Although your printer can print in single cartridge mode (and your printer may have come with only one cartridge), you may wish to add the missing cartridge to enhance print performance and quality. (....)

I've tried to turn off and on/ plugged in and out from the socket/ change printer preferences to black ink only. None of them worked in a way that I can print clearly using the full black cartridge. I am not sure why this suddenly happened. Is it related to any Windows 10 updates or so? I am using Windows 10 on my Lenovo laptop. Please assist me solving this issue.

Thanks.

[Jay_G24]

Hi @candyia,

I'd like to help!

I understand you were printing in a single cartridge mode, and currently, you are unable to.

Are you able to make copies using the printer?

If no, Try the below suggestions-

Reset the product

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
• Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Wait at least 60 seconds.
• Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
• Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
• Turn the printer on. HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

Clean the electrical contacts

Remove the cartridge indicated by the error message, clean the electrical contacts, and then reinsert the cartridge in its color-coded slot.

1. Turn the printer on.

2. Open the door to access the cartridges.

3. Wait until the carriage stops moving before you continue.

4. Remove the cartridge indicated in the error message from its slot, holding it by its side.

      CAUTION: 

   Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

5. Remove any protective tape that still might be on the contacts.

      CAUTION: 

   Do not touch or try to remove the copper electrical strip.

   

6. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then clean only the copper-colored contacts on the cartridge.

   

7. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then clean the electrical contacts in the carriage, located inside the printer.

   

8. Wait 10 minutes for the contacts to dry.

9. Reinsert the cartridge.

   • Insert the black cartridge into the right slot.

   • Insert the tri-color cartridge into the left slot.

10. Repeat these steps for the other cartridge, if necessary.

11. Close the cartridge access door.

12. If the error persists, repeat the previous steps to clean the cartridge and carriage contacts a second time.

13. Check for the error message.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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