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HP Printers - Cannot Print When One HP Ink Cartridge is Empty

This document is for HP OfficeJet 6100, 6600, 6700, 8702, 7110 Wide Format, 7510 Wide Format, 7610 Wide Format, 7612 Wide Format, OfficeJet Pro 7720 Wide Format, 7730 Wide Format, 7740 Wide Format, 8100, 8210, 8216, 8218, 8600, 8600 Plus, 8610, 8615, 8620, 8625, 8630, 8640, 8660, 8710, 8715, 8717, 8718, 8719, 8720, 8725, 8728, 8730, 8732M, 8740, 8745, OfficeJet Pro 9010, 9012, 9013, 9014, 9015, 9016, 9018, 9019/Premier, 9020, 9022, 9023, 9025, 9026, 9028, and OfficeJet 9012 AiO printers:

The printers listed in this document cannot print when one ink cartridge is empty.

Your printer is designed to print only when all ink cartridges have ink. Some ink from all the ink cartridges is used in periodic servicing tasks. This helps to prevent issues such as printhead clogs and poor print quality. There is no way to bypass this feature.

The printer generates these different messages as cartridges are used:

Thank you for installing Genuine HP cartridges! Redeem your HP Reward! – a new, genuine HP cartridge has just been installed.
Cartridge Low – you can continue printing, but HP recommends that you have a replacement cartridge on hand.
Use Black Ink Only? or Use Color Ink Only? – one of the cartridges is out of ink, but you can continue printing for a short time using the other cartridges. You can print either in grayscale or in composite black. You must replace the cartridge soon. This message might not appear in some cases, depending on how you print.
Cartridges Depleted – one of the cartridges is out of ink and the printer has only enough ink in the system for servicing tasks. You must replace the cartridge to resume printing.

Step 1: Replace the empty ink cartridge

When an ink cartridge is depleted, you must replace it before you can print.

Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.

Step 2: Change print settings to print in grayscale (optional)

If one or more color ink cartridges are low but not empty and you want to minimize the use of color ink, change the settings in the HP software to print with black ink only (grayscale). If you print with black ink only, the other ink cartridges must have ink for the printer to print.

If you print with black ink only, the printer still uses small amounts of ink from all the ink cartridges for occasional servicing tasks. HP recommends that you replace any low ink cartridges to avoid any interruptions in printing.

note:
You must have the full feature printer software installed on your computer to change this print setting.

I do not have the full feature software

If you do not have the full feature software, follow these steps to download and install the most recent version of your printer software.

Turn on the printer.
Disconnect the USB cable from the printer, if necessary. The software installation prompts you to connect the cable if needed.
Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads.
If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, click Printer, type your printer model number, and then click Submit.
If you need to change the operating system, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.
Under the Driver heading, click Download for the full software package, or click Basic Drivers for other driver options.

Set grayscale print properties (Windows)

Change the print settings to print with black ink only.

You might need to change your print settings every time you print.

note:
These steps vary by software, program, and operating system.

In your software application, click Print.
Select your printer from the list of available printers.
Click the option that opens the Printer Properties dialog box. Depending on your software application, this option might be called Printer Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences.
Click the Features tab, click the Grayscale drop-down menu, and then click Black Ink Only.

note:
To use even less black ink, select the Draft setting.
Click OK, and then click Print to start the print job.

note:
When you print in color, you must turn off the grayscale setting in the Printer Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences window.

Set grayscale print properties (Mac OS X)

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 print in color, you must turn off the grayscale setting in the Printer Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences window.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Review the following frequently asked questions for additional help.

Why didn’t I see the message Use Black Ink Only? or Use Color Ink Only? before my cartridge was depleted?

The printer must reserve enough ink for the servicing tasks that keep the printhead functioning. If there is enough ink for servicing and for printing with black ink only, or color ink only, then that message displays. If there is not enough ink for both printing and servicing, then the cartridge must be replaced.

Why can't I print in black only if a color ink cartridge is empty?

Your printer is designed to print only when all ink cartridges have ink. To prevent clogs in the printing mechanism and other print quality issues, some ink must be available in all the cartridges to perform periodic servicing tasks.

How do I replace an ink cartridge?

Steps to replace an ink cartridge vary by printer. For more information, go to HP Customer Support, type your printer model, and then search for replacing ink cartridges.

My new ink cartridge is not working. What do I do?

If you bought a new ink cartridge, and it is not working, or the printer indicates that it is empty, check the ink cartridge warranty status.

If you have a defective cartridge or printhead, it might be under warranty. To check the warranty on your ink or toner supplies, go to Printer and Page Yield Overview, and then review the limited warranty information for your supplies.

I typically print in black and white only, so why are my color ink cartridges empty?

To decrease grain, some black areas might be printed with a mix of black and color inks. If you follow the steps in this document to print with black ink only, no color ink is used in printouts.

Some ink from all the ink cartridges is used in periodic servicing tasks. This helps to prevent issues like printhead clogs and poor print quality.

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