🔍 Quick Diagnosis (30 seconds)

Does your printer:

✅ Print in color but NOT black?
✅ Show black ink is available?
✅ Print faded or streaky black text?

✨ If YES to any above → You're in the right place! Solutions below work 95% of the time.

⚡ Instant Fixes (Try These First!)

🖨️

Fix #1: Print Head Cleaning

Works 70% of the time!

1. Open printer settings
2. Select "Maintenance" or "Tools"
3. Click "Clean Print Heads"
4. Run 2-3 cleaning cycles
5. Print test page

Success Rate: 70% ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔄

Fix #2: Remove & Reseat Cartridge

Works 60% of the time!

1. Turn printer OFF
2. Remove black cartridge
3. Clean gold contacts gently
4. Reinstall firmly
5. Turn ON and test

Success Rate: 60% ⭐⭐⭐

⚙️

Fix #3: Check Print Settings

Works 40% of the time!

1. Open print dialog
2. Click "Properties/Preferences"
3. Ensure "Grayscale" is ON
4. Set quality to "Normal"
5. Disable "Color only" mode

Success Rate: 40% ⭐⭐

🏷️ Brand-Specific Solutions

HP Printers

Common Issue: Printhead Alignment

1. Go to HP Smart app or HP Solution Center
2. Select "Printer Maintenance"
3. Choose "Align Printheads"
4. Follow on-screen instructions

HP-Specific Fix: Reset Printer

1. With printer ON, disconnect power cord
2. Unplug from wall outlet
3. Wait 60 seconds
4. Reconnect and power ON

HP Error Codes: 0xc19a0003, 0xc19a0013 → Replace black cartridge

Canon Printers

Common Issue: Clogged Nozzles

1. Press Setup → Maintenance
2. Select "Deep Cleaning"
3. Choose "Black" only
4. Run 2 cycles maximum

Canon-Specific: Ink Tank Reset

1. Hold "Stop/Reset" for 5 seconds
2. While holding, press Power
3. Release Stop, press 5 times
4. Release all buttons

Canon Error: Support Code 1688 → Black ink not recognized

Epson Printers

Common Issue: Air in Ink Lines

1. Run "Power Ink Flushing"
2. Settings → Maintenance → Power Cleaning
3. Select black channel only
4. Wait 5 minutes to complete

Epson EcoTank Fix

1. Check black ink tank level
2. Prime the pump if needed
3. Run initial charge cycle
4. Clean sponge pad

Epson Error: 000031 → Black ink system failure

Brother Printers

Common Issue: Drum Unit Problem

1. Remove drum unit and toner
2. Clean corona wire gently
3. Check drum for damage
4. Reinstall components

Brother Reset Procedure

1. Open front cover
2. Hold "GO" button 4 seconds
3. All LEDs will turn on
4. Close cover to reset

Brother Error: "Cannot Detect" → Clean cartridge chips

🔧 Advanced Troubleshooting

Driver & Software Issues

⚠️

Symptom: Black prints fine from some apps but not others

Fix: Update printer driver from manufacturer website

⚠️

Symptom: Test page prints black but documents don't

Fix: Check application print settings, disable "Print as Image"

Hardware Problems

🔴

Issue: Dried ink in printhead

Solution: Soak printhead in warm water for 10 minutes

🔴

Issue: Damaged printhead

Solution: May need replacement ($50-150)

Settings to Check

✓ Grayscale printing is enabled
✓ "Black ink only" mode is selected
✓ Print quality set to "Normal" or higher
✓ Paper type matches loaded paper
✓ "Economy mode" is disabled

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer print color but not black?

This typically happens when the black printhead is clogged, the black cartridge has air bubbles, or print settings are configured to use color ink only. Run a cleaning cycle first.

Can I print black using color cartridges?

Some printers have a "composite black" mode that mixes CMY colors to create black. Check your printer settings for "Black ink only" and disable it to use this feature temporarily.

How often should I clean print heads?

Only when experiencing print quality issues. Excessive cleaning wastes ink. If you need more than 3 cleaning cycles, the problem likely requires manual intervention.

Will third-party ink cause this problem?

Sometimes. Third-party inks may have different viscosity or chip compatibility issues. Try an OEM cartridge to rule this out as the cause.

✅ Quick Success Checklist

Do This First (2 minutes):

Run print head cleaning cycle
Check ink levels are sufficient
Remove and reseat black cartridge
Print a test page

If Still Not Working:

Update printer driver
Check print settings (grayscale ON)
Try different application
Manual printhead cleaning

🎯 Still having issues? The black cartridge may need replacement.

Shop Black Ink Cartridges

Test Your Fix!

Use our free test pages to verify black ink is working properly

Print B&W Test Page Print Alignment Test

Printer Not Printing Black?