Do I have to install a color cartridge in order for my printer to work?

[Tcraddock4]

My printer will not print. It says I am out of color ink.

i out a brand new cartridge in and it still will not print.

does it have to have color and black  ink for it to print . I only use black.

and the orange light under the display screen is blinking

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Tcraddock4,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

In many inkjet printers, including some models from HP, it's common to require both the color and black ink cartridges to be installed and have ink for the printer to function properly, even if you're only printing in black. This is because some printers use a combination of both black and color inks to create the grayscale or black portions of your printouts.

If your printer is indicating that you're out of color ink and you've installed a new color cartridge but it's still not printing, there might be a few issues at play:

• Cartridge Installation: Double-check that the color cartridge is properly installed in the correct slot. It's possible that it's not making proper contact with the printer.
• Cartridge Authenticity: Ensure that the new color cartridge is genuine and compatible with your printer model. Some printers may not recognize or accept third-party cartridges.
• Printer Settings: Check your printer settings to ensure that it's set to use both color and black ink for printing. This setting is usually found in the printer preferences or properties menu on your computer.
• Printer Error: The blinking orange light could indicate an error condition. Check your printer's user manual or the HP website for information on what the blinking light means for your specific model.
• Printer Maintenance: Perform any recommended printer maintenance tasks, such as print head cleaning or alignment, to ensure that the printer is functioning properly.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571

HP Support