Not able to set up my Photosmart C4280 with only a black ink cartridge (HP brand cartridge 74)

[matarile]

I have a Photosmart C4280 and I recently bought a new HP brand cartridge 74. I do not have a color cartridge because I don't need one. Unfortunately, the printer wasn't recognizing this cartridge—I was getting the message "Print Cartridges missing or not detected"—so I decided to factory reset the printer in order to troubleshoot. However, now I have to go though the initial printer setup, and the printer is stuck on a message that says "Insert printer cartridges". I tried clicking the Cancel + Power button to go to the setup menu but that doesn't work. 

My suspicion is that the printer is stuck in that message because I only have a black ink cartridge, and not a color cartridge, and so the printer refuses to finish the setup process. That'

I need help please.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @matarile 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP Photosmart C4280 is having trouble completing the setup because it expects both a black and a color cartridge to be installed. Many HP printers, including the Photosmart series, require both a black and color cartridge for the printer to function, even if you're only planning to print in black.

Here’s how you can troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue:

1. Check Cartridge Compatibility

• Double-check that the HP 74 black ink cartridge is installed correctly in the black cartridge slot.
• Ensure that the contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer are clean and not obstructed by any dust or ink residue. You can gently wipe the cartridge contacts with a lint-free cloth if necessary.

2. Try a Color Cartridge (Temporary Solution)

• Even though you don't need to print in color, your printer might still require a color cartridge to complete the setup. If you have access to an HP 74 color cartridge or any compatible color cartridge (like the HP 75), you could temporarily insert it to see if the printer completes the setup process.
• Once the setup is complete, you can replace the color cartridge with your black-only cartridge.

3. Bypass the Setup Process (If Possible)

Some printers allow you to bypass the cartridge check during the initial setup, especially if you’re not planning to print in color. Here’s what you can try:

• Reset the Printer: Turn off the printer, unplug it, and wait for 10-15 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on.
• When the printer powers up, insert only the black cartridge (ensure it’s properly seated).
• If the setup screen still prompts you to insert cartridges, try pressing the Cancel + Power buttons simultaneously again to skip the setup screen. If this doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.

4. Check for Firmware or Software Updates

• Sometimes, printers require updates to allow proper cartridge detection. If possible, connect your printer to a computer and check for firmware updates via the HP Software or HP Smart app.

5. Use the Printer Without a Color Cartridge (Advanced Option)

If you don't want to use a color cartridge but still want to use the printer in black-only mode, some users have reported that certain HP printers may allow printing with just a black ink cartridge after completing the setup with a color cartridge installed temporarily.

If you’re able to bypass the setup with a temporary color cartridge, you could try setting the printer to print in black-and-white only in the printer settings on your computer, so it won’t require the color cartridge in the future.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571

HP Support