HP Deskjet F380 not copying

[iHateProblems]

My HP Deskjet F380 is not copying, if I don't have a color cartridge in it. It gives me the error lights and pressing any of the buttons doesn't solve the problem. The HP Solutions Center tells me that no color ink cartridge is installed but that all it can do. Is there any solutions to this or I must have both cartridges in to copy stuff?

[MKazi · Accepted solution]

@iHateProblems

Welcome to HP Support Forums. 🙂 I came across your post and would like to help.

I understand that you have an HP Deskjet F380 All-in-One Printer and it does not have a color cartridge in it. The printer shows an error light and when you press any of the buttons, the printer comes out of the error state. The HP Solutions Center shows that the color cartridge is not installed. You've done a remarkable job performing the steps. 

The printer should work in single cartridge mode when one of the cartridges runs out of ink. But the empty cartridge should also be inside the printer for the printer to be functional. 

Secondly, the light could be blinking to indicate that the other cartridge may be running out ink or so. I suggest you to perform the following steps:

• Disconnect the power cable from the printer while the printer is still ON.
• Disconnect any other cables if connected the printer.
• Press and hold the printer’s power button for 15 seconds.
• The printer should be directly connected to the wall outlet and not to a surge protector. Reconnect the power cable to print and the printer should power ON by itself. If the printer doesn’t power ON then please manually power it ON.

Also, continue to perform the steps from this link if the printer continues to have blinking lights.

I hope this information is helpful. Keep me posted if you have any questions. Cheers!