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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- Photosmart 5520 prints very light grey not black running Mac...

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02-04-2018 04:22 PM
Printer only prints light grey, not black
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
02-06-2018 03:21 AM
Hi! @adrezdi, Welcome to HP forums.
I understand you have issues printing in black from your printer.
Don't worry I'll try to help you out.
Did you make any changes to your printer?
Have you tried checking with a different ink cartridge?
Does the issue persist when you make a black copy from your printer?
Have you installed full feature printer software?
Have you tried printing from a different application?
Replace any empty or low ink cartridges.
Follow these steps to set the print settings to print with black ink only. (You might need to change your print settings every time you print.)
-
In your software application, click Print.
-
Select your printer from the list of available printers.
-
Click the Paper Type/Quality menu.
-
Click the triangle next to Color Options.
-
From the Color menu, select Grayscale or Black & White.
NOTE:
To use even less black ink, select the Draft setting.
-
Select Black Print ink cartridge Only, and then click Print to start the print job.
NOTE:
When you want to print in color, you must turn off the grayscale setting in the Printer Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences window.
Refer this article to further troubleshoot color or black ink not printing.
If you are unable to make a black copy from your printer. It could be a hardware issue with your printer, please contact HP support for service options.
Link to contact HP.
If the solution provided worked for you, please mark accepted solution for this post.
Let me know if this helps!
Have a beautiful day ahead! 🙂
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
A4Apollo
I am an HP Employee
02-06-2018 03:21 AM
Hi! @adrezdi, Welcome to HP forums.
I understand you have issues printing in black from your printer.
Don't worry I'll try to help you out.
Did you make any changes to your printer?
Have you tried checking with a different ink cartridge?
Does the issue persist when you make a black copy from your printer?
Have you installed full feature printer software?
Have you tried printing from a different application?
Replace any empty or low ink cartridges.
Follow these steps to set the print settings to print with black ink only. (You might need to change your print settings every time you print.)
-
In your software application, click Print.
-
Select your printer from the list of available printers.
-
Click the Paper Type/Quality menu.
-
Click the triangle next to Color Options.
-
From the Color menu, select Grayscale or Black & White.
NOTE:
To use even less black ink, select the Draft setting.
-
Select Black Print ink cartridge Only, and then click Print to start the print job.
NOTE:
When you want to print in color, you must turn off the grayscale setting in the Printer Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences window.
Refer this article to further troubleshoot color or black ink not printing.
If you are unable to make a black copy from your printer. It could be a hardware issue with your printer, please contact HP support for service options.
Link to contact HP.
If the solution provided worked for you, please mark accepted solution for this post.
Let me know if this helps!
Have a beautiful day ahead! 🙂
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
A4Apollo
I am an HP Employee