Single Cartridge Mode Failing

[mukjp2]

This printer is capable of single cartridge mode and it has worked this way for years.  However, when I replaced the black cartridge (which I have done many times), this time it will no longer print, complaining that the tri-color cartridge is missing.  But it has always been missing, because I only ever print black/white.  

I know it is recognizing the new black cartridge because if I remove it, then the same message displays and says the tri-color AND black ink cartridges are missing.  So, it feels like some kind of setting where now the printer demands that both cartridges are present.  What gives?

The exact message when I do a "print test page" is:

"Ink Cartridges Missing.  ---Tri Color.  Cartridges listed above seem to be missing, are not detected, or are incorrectly installed.  If ink cartridges have been installed, check that the plastic tape covering the ink nozzles has been removed. "

Thanks,

Kyle

[X-23]

Hello @mukjp2,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I understand that since installing a new black cartridge in your HP Deskjet 1051A All-in-One Printer you have not been able to print in single-cartridge mode. I would like to assist you today with resolving this issue. Now I understand that you have been able to print fine in the past in single-cartridge mode with no tri-colour cartridge installed at all. Due to this sudden error with a new black cartridge it does sound like you may actually be experiencing an issue with your new black. Now I know, as you stated, that when the black and the tri-colour are removed, the printer prompts for both ink cartridges. Therefore, we know that the ink sensor for your new black cartridge is working. However, if your new black is being 'read' as depleted by your printer than your printer will give other ink cartridge errors as it cannot operate in single-cartridge mode if the black is depleted (or so it thinks) and the tri-colour is missing.

To verify that your printer is detecting the black cartridge properly, can I please have you follow the steps below.

1. Install your new black cartridge
2. On the desktop of your Windows 7 computer, please click to open the HP Printer Assistant ().
3. Click on Estimated Ink Levels at the top.

Does this detect a full new black cartridge and no tri-colour?

If the black cartridge yield fails to show correctly, can I please have you click here and run through the ink cartridge troubleshooting steps provided. Only run the troubleshooting steps for the black cartridge as you are not using the tri-colour.

Please respond to this post with your ink level and whether the troubleshooting steps I provided resolve your single-cartridge mode issues. I wish you luck!

[mukjp2]

When I check the ink cartridge levels, it is clear that it does not detect the cartridge.  Just shows two white boxes with red X's at the top.  The troubleshooting ideas all failed, except for replacing the cartridge since I didn't try that.  

If not for the fact that it recognizes the existence of the black cartridge and complains about the tri-color missing when I try to print, I would easily conclude that the cartridge is bad.  Not sure if I should buy another one since it might just fail too.

[X-23]

Hey @mukjp2,

Trying a new black cartridge would be necessary for troubleshooting. Now, with that being said if your black Ink Cartridge is genuine HP than it will have an expiration date on it. If you try a new genuine HP black cartridge and it works correctly in your printer than that defective black cartridge (as long as it is HP and hasn't passed its expiration date) can be replaced for free by our Technical Support phone queue.

Now if you replace the black cartridge and it fails to resolve the issue you will know with 100% certainty that you have a hardware defect with your printer. If your printer needs to be replaced, than the new and old black cartridges that you have can be used with the new printer. You can store cartridges in an air tight container to prolong their life outside of a printer. Therefore, your ink will not be wasted.

If you want  to explore additional options, I suggest contacting our Technical Support queue by phone.

HP Technical Support can be reached at: 800-474-6836.

If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region.

HP Worldwide Contact

I wish you luck with this! 🙂

[mukjp2]

I will get a new black cartridge and test this soon.

[mukjp2]

I bought a new cartridge and everything worked perfectly immediately.  So, I guess a bad cartridge just has some misleading messages around it, but we're up and running now.  Thanks!

[Nichole5384]

Im havung the same issue. Why do I need to go buy a color when I just want to use black

[EmeraldAvenger]

Hi there Nichole5384, 

Thanks for joining the HP Support Forums community! Here you can find solutions, suggestions and access to many helping hands! I understand that you are wanting to use black ink. Assuming you are also using the Deskjet 1051, please let me explain the pros and cons of black ink only. 

Although frustrating sometimes, your printer is designed to print only when all ink cartridges have ink. This is to prevent clogs in the printing mechanism (printhead) and other print quality issues.

Some dark images which look black may contain a combination of black and color inks. For black and white images and photos, a blend of colors called "composite black" may be used to achieve significantly better image quality and smoother gray tones than can be accomplished with black inks alone.

Source: Some color ink may be used when printing black text-or-graphics

However, I am here to do my best to provide you with a solution. You can change your settings to grayscale which will help save using so much color. 

• Click Start
• Go to Devices and Printers
• Right click the printer
• Click Printing Preferences
• Go to the Paper/Quality tab
• Click the Advanced button.
• Select Black Ink Only (In the Print in Grayscale drop-down menu)
• Click OK.

Note: If you see Black and White as an option on the Paper/Quality tab or the Layout tab, select it.

If this reply helped put you in the right direction or helps you print in black ink only, please use the Accept as Solution button. If you want to give me a virtual high five, please click the Thumbs Up icon below

Let me know if these work for you, or if you have a different printer in which I may need to provide a different set of steps to you for. 

Take care 🙂 

Have a great day! 

[CindyChong]

 Hi there,

Im currently having issue on printing out document.

it shows no toner / ink somehow there is a single catridge - black color.

i have no issue printing from mobile or other laptops

laptops: Evny iu6200

printer: hp deskjet all in one 2425

i have done the trouble shooting, changed to "black color only"

reinstall driver. 

issue still persists.

Printing diagnosis listing no problem.

kindly adv

thanks & BR,

cindy