HP Officejet 6600 won't print in black and white

So I have a HP Officejet 6600 which recently ran out of it's magenta cartridge. I knew I wouldn't be able to print in color, but when I went to the printer and set preferences to print black only it still tells me I need to replace the magenta cartridge before I can resume printing. This is extremely annoying because I start school monday and have syllabi and things I need to print out. Please don't tell me to order or go out and buy a magenta cartridge. I just need to know how to get this specific printer to work using only black ink when the color cartidges are depleted.

There are a few reasons color ink is used, even when printing black only: Some ink is used to keep the nozzles from drying out. When printing (even black only) the color printhead, attached to the same structure as the black printhead, is waving around in the air and the nozzles would clog if there were no servicing.When automatic duplex printing the front page typically has a thin underprint of color ink under the black to "set" the black ink. It is not intuitive, but this causes the black ink to dry faster, reducing the chances of smearing the ink as the page is pulled back into the printer to print the back side.Graphics are typically printed with a mixture of color ink rather than black. The color droplets are much smaller than the black droplets. The composite black (made from colors) gives visibly better grayscale graphics results. (For some drivers there is an option for printing in grayscale as "black ink only" or "High quality grayscale".) Printing in "Best" quality typically underprints balck with color to give a darker black.The pigmented black ink is not compatible with photo apper. If photo paper is detected or selected in the driver the printer will mix color ink to make black.Depending on the driver the option for "black ink only" may not be available when color ink will be needed, for example in the duplex printing case. See the document here for information on how ink is used in the printing process. In the language of that document the Officejet 6600 is an IIC printer. If you want a printer that can print with no color ink at all I would suggest something like a monochrome Laserjet, or an IPH printer such as the Deskjet 6980 or Officejet 8040a that would allow printing with the color cartridge removed compeltely.

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PSC 1510 All in one printer - won't print even black and white when colour cartridge not recognised

My PSC 1510 All in one printer is flashing the "check printer cartrige icon" and both "Black" and "Colour" icons at the bottom left of the printer.
It won't print at all, even when I select grayscale (black and white). The help pages tell me that if I remove the colour cartridge the printer will switch to backup mode and I'll still be able to print in black and white (though not copy or scan). But this is not the case, and I can find no way of switching manually to backup mode. The help pages have no useful explanation of backup mode. I've also tried cleaning the cartridge (which I'm pretty sure isn't empty) but that makes no difference.
Can anyone help? I'd be very grateful.

gabri21 wrote: I have a very similar problem with my PSC1510 but only the colour cartridge light is blinking. I am also unable to find any useful information to set up printing in back up mode. Can anyone assist in resolving this problem for us?
With only one cartridge light blinking I would suspect the cartridge, they do rarely fail (much more often for reman cartridges, see here). Clean the cartridge contascts as shown here. If that fails and the cartridge is an original HP then check the warranty date as shown here. If the cartridge is in warranty return it to your dealer for a warranty replacement.
The printer will automatically switch to backup mode if the black (or color in some printers) cartridge is removed. I do not know if this works with the PSC 1510, some all-in-on devices insist on having both cartridges present.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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Photosmart 8750 won't print sharp black and white photos

I am trying to print some black and white photographs using my photosmart 8750 printer. Up until now, I have just done color photographs. After printing my first black and white photograph, I'm very disappointed. While it is definitely gray scale, the dark black colors in the photo aren't coming out black at all...just a shade of gray. I have the gray photo cartridge installed. Is that my problem? Everywhere I read, it says that is what should be used.

Try the troubleshooting steps in this page. Does the diagnostic page print properly?
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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C3180 won't print just black and white

C3180 is the printer i have and the operating system i'm working on is a mac. macbook pro. i would like instructions on how to use only the black ink cartridge. would i still have to disable the ink detection? i am trying to print a black and white document but my color is out of ink and the black is full. despite this, the doc still comes out in a light grey.. thanks -tegan

Hello tegankrobinett!
The printer model you have is not manufactured by Canon USA. It looks like this particular model is made by HP, so we would suggest reaching out to them for assistance. Thanks!

Printer won't print in black and white

I have a Deskjet 932C printer and a Windows 7 Optg. System. I installed a new black and white cartridge but the sheet is blank when I set the printer for B&W. When I set it for color I get monotone blue. Any suggestions?

Hi there rbm940,
This article should cover the issue you are experiencing. Give the steps outlined a shot and let us know if it helps.
Best of Luck!
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HP officejet 6600 won't print

HP officejet 6600 won't resume. Msg says "paused" but cant get it to resume. I've shut it down and replugged both the computer to which it is attached by wire, and stop/started the computer. No luck. Ideas?

It won't print in black and white and HP WILL NOT ANSWER any of these requests because it's their way of stealing you money without really telling you they are. Imagine that???

Print only black and white

hi everyone, i have a Officejet Pro 8100 and it print only with black and white colors, i try change the configuration, but have no obtain sucess.
I would like to know if it's possible reset to the default configuration my printer.
PS: i use cartrige original only.
sorry for my bad english.

Hi fgriesang,
I see you are experiencing an issue with the Officejet Pro 8100 only printing in black and white, I can help you with this. Rather than resetting the printer to default, please use the solutions offered in the following document; Troubleshooting Print Quality Issues. The solutions in this document help troubleshoot streaked or faded prints, prints without black or other colors, prints with blurred or fuzzy text, prints with ink streaks or smears, and many other issues with print quality.
I hope this helps.
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HP Officejet 6500 won't print in black

I noticed that my black ink started to streak so I replaced the black ink cartridge, cleaned printheads, and completed an alignment page. All the colors showed on the test pages, except black, and the black characters that did show up were incomplete and streaked. I tried printing in black and white, and the pages shoot out of the printer blank. I've exhausted all the trouble shooting on HP and have had no luck. Any ideas about what else I can try?
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There are 5 different versions of the Officejet 6500. I went with a basic model (E710a) to supply a troubleshooting quality document for poor printer output. This link will give troubleshooting steps to try and resolve the issue it lists some that you have mentioned doing but there are steps that listed that were not mentioned in the above post.
If still having the problem, I would do a manual cleaning of the contacts on the printhead and on the print cartridges to ensure that build up is not an issue. Pages 117-121 of the user manual outline the print head cleaning process. Page 234 in the manual gives instructions to clean the contacts on the cartridges too. I hope that this helps
I am a former employee of HP...
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HP Officejet wont print in black and white!

I have had an HP OfficeJet 6600 printer for a couple of years now and it has shocked me how many times I have had to replace color cartridges that I really never use. I am a high school teacher who does a lot of work from home and I only need to print in black and white, yet I am not permitted to do that because everytime a color runs out, I cant use my printer AT ALL. This comes off as a scheme for HP to make more money because everytime this message comes up, I am offered the oppurtunity to buy color cartridges at a high price. I will never be buying another hp product again!

HP and other printer manufacturers have different printer technologies for different needs. For inkjet printers:
Some have printheads built into the ink cartridges. These printers can typically print with one or more of the colors completely empty, or even with color or black (but not both) cartridges removed. The Officejet 8040a is an example.
Other printers have separate ink supplies and replaceable printheads. An example would be the Officejet 6600 printer. The printhead in these printers can be replaced if they are damaged by running the printhead with colors out. Some of these printers will allow printing with a color out, other will not. If the printer is run without ink in one or more colors the printer may be damaged, but the user may be able to recover without having to send the printer for service.
Other printers have permanent printheads. To run these without some ink in all the colors would risk causing damage to the printhead due to clogs, air ingested in the printhead or burned out printhead firing resistors. The Officejet 6700 is an example of this type of printer. For printers with fixed printheads this could require service to get the printer to print properly again when the ink is finally replaced.
The document here describes how ink is used. While the document is written for HP Inkjet printers the same principles apply to inkjet printers from other manufacturers.
If you never print in color a laser printer would likely be a better choice. If you occasionally print color but mostly black an IPH printer like those in the first category above may be a good choice.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
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Hp officejet pro 8500 a910 does not give me the option of printing in black and white

Hello,
My hp officejet pro 8500 a910 does not give me the option of printing in black and white. How do I choose to print in B&W when the option does not show up under properties?
Thank you.
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Hi,
From the application being used to print, Click File > Print
Click Properties or Preferences to access the Printing Preferences Dialog.
Click the Advanced button at the bottom of the window.
Under Printer Features, Click the Print as Grayscale selection box and set as High Quality Grayscale or Black Ink Only.
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So, my Macbook Pro with retina display only prints in black and white. My printer, officejet 4620 series [555DE4], is not the problem. I want to know how to be able to print in color as well??

So, my Macbook Pro with retina display only prints in black and white. My printer, Officejet 4620 series [555DE4], is not the problem. I want to know how to be able to print in color as well??

In the Print dialog, select the Color Matching tab and then select Vendor Matching.

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Deskjet 3050 does only print JPG files in color - all other docs are only printed in black and white

Dear All,
I have a problem with my Deskjet 3050 Printer. (USB connected with my laptop).
My printer won't print colored documents in color but only in black and white (except for JPG files (photos) which are printed in color.
Word documents or PDF files (for example) are always printed in black and white - even if these are in color.
Copying colored pages with my printer is no problem.
This works perfectly well. The printer is connected to my PC via USB.
The cartridges (color and black and white) are practically new and original HP cartridges.
Could the problem be related to the printer settings which I might have changed by accident.
Thanks in advance for your advise.
Cheticamp
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Hi Cheticamp,
From the control panrl go to Devices and Printers.
Right click the printer and select Printing Preferences.
Cluck the Advanced button and ensure that Print in Grayscale is set as off and confirm.
From Word click on File > Print and click on Settings.
You will see the dame printing preferences screen.
Press Advanced and ensure the grayscale optio is set as off for Word as well.
Hope that helps,
Shlomi
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Why can't I print in black and white only?

Why is the HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus not able to print black and white only if the black cartridge is still not empty?
What I mean is I went into the settings to set the printer to print black and white only as well as print text only in black. Yet I am FORCED to replace the cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges because they are depleted. What does cyan, magenta, and yellow ink have anything to do with printing black considering a SEPARATE black cartridge exists and is still full?
I am aggravated at how the driver for this printer is designed TO FORCE me to purchase nonblack cartridges when I purposefully set the printing to be BLACK ONLY. I am unable to go forward with my printing. This is considered a show stopper and is unacceptable considering that the setting I assigned and the cartridge(s) depleted message contradict each other. If the setting is made to print in black and white only including text, then print black and white since I know the black ink is still available.
Take into consideration that printing can take place at anytime. Not being able to use black as my alternate color (WHICH IS NOT EMPTY AND IS A SEPARATE CARTRIDGE) forces me to stop. I am unable to go forward until the store opens. WalMart is not always an option. That is time lost.
The inability to switch to use the black cartridge only is a time waster.
Let's call it for what it is, a form of ransom. HP wants me to spend money on color cartridges that have nothing to do with printing black and white. When I am ready to print in color, that should be a time of my choosing.
Incidentally, the form I am trying to print is black and white only. No color is on this form. It makes no sense to force color printing of a black and white document.
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Hi,
To protect itself specially the printheads, many printers NEED other inks even they only print black. During the warming up process, printers require all inks therefore they may stop before we can continue. Some printers allow user to print (specially the ones which have tri-color ink tank) but they may print at a baby snail speed.
Regards.
BH
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HP 8500 All-in-one printer - how can I print in black and white only (to save color ink)?

I want to be able to select the option of printing in black and white only to save color ink. How can I do that?

What operating system? You can generally find an option for "Print in grayscale" and "Black ink only" in the Color or Advanced tab of the Printer Settings.
Some color ink will still be used to keep the printheads from clogging, see here for information. (The Officejet 8500 is an IIC printer in the vocabulary of that page.)
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
If my answer was helpful please click the "Thumbs Up" to say "Thank You"--V

HP Officejet 6600 won't print in black and white

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