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
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
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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
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

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 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.

Only print in black and white.

Using the correct color ink print cartridge, my Photosmart 7660 will only print in black and white. How do I fix this? I've used the printer to print photos successfully a while ago and I don't think I changed anything, but it stopped working.

When installing the new cartridges, did you get the message "Original HP cartridges have been installed"?
Can you check the ink levels and actually see the been color displayed?
Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.
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PRINTS ONLY BLACK AND WHITE

My hp photosmart 5512 will only print in black and white on my gateway PC, but will print correctly on my laptops, does anyone know why?

I tried turning the printer on when it only said 35% but it still printed out in black and white. It hung at 35% after about 3 minutes so I don't think I could have waited it to get to 100%. Usually print jobs get in the queue in a matter of seconds so I don't think the workaround is working for me.

How to print in black and white only on hp photosmart 6520

Cannot find a place to select print in black and white only on my HP Photosmart 6520 printer.
It prints color just fine, but sometimes I do not want to use my color cartridges. I selected B&W instead of gray scale, but cannot stop the color printing.
Thanks

Hi,
Please try (for Windows):
Double click printer icon on desktop,
Clich Set Preferences
Click Advanced
Under Grayscale, select Black ink only
Click Ok/Apply ..
Please note: the printer still need color inks during warming up process.
Regards.
BH
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I want to print in black and white only on my hp photosmart 6520

photosmart 6520 windows 7 how do I set this so it only prints in black and white not in color at all times .
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Of course, I was forgetting to click on the apply button to set the change before ok. THANK YOU very much

How to get my photosmart 7525 to print in black and white on a pc

How do I get the print option on my pc that lets me choose color or black and white in Windows?
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View Solution.

Hi ep43,
Welcome to the HP Support Forums! I understand you would like the options to change from color printing to black and white on your HP Photosmart 7525. I would like you to follow the steps listed below on your computer:
1. Go to your Start Menu
2. Select Devices & Printers
3. Right click on your PS 7525 and select Printing Preferences
4. Click on the Advanced Options
5. Here under Printer Features, you will have the option to Print in Grayscale, Black Ink Only or Off (which would default to color printing)
I hope this helps!
Thank you,
HevnLgh
I work on behalf of HP
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How do I set my HP Photosmart C7280 to print in black and white unless I request color printing?

I would like to default set my HP Photosmart C7280 printer for black and white printing. Is that possible? What is the process?

Hi there feranski,
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!
You can say thanks by clicking the Kudos Star in my post. If my post resolves your problem, please mark it as Accepted Solution so others can benefit too.

I've recently purchased an iMac and connected my HP Photosmart C4280 printer. The computer downloaded the driver software but the printer will only print in black and white.There doesn't seem to be anywhere to change this on the preferences menu. Any idea

I've recently purchased an iMac and connected up my HP Photosmart C4280printer. The computer downloaded the driver but the printer will only print in black and white. I've looked in preferences etc but cant see any way to change this. Any ideas??

Select a document, CMD+P, and set the color options as shown here:

Photosmart 7520 print in black and white?

I have a photosmart 7520. I want to print a black and white tekst-formular, but since there's no ink left in the photo cartridge I can't print any thing. Is it not possible to print only black and white stuff, whith this printer?
Thanks
Thomas
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Hi Jeeeez,
I understand you have a Photosmart 7520 that you're wondering if you can print with when one of the colors is out. I will certainly do my best to address you question!
Unfortunately this printer requires all of the ink cartridges have something in them whether you are trying to use that particular cartridge or not. This is simply for the health of the printhead, because if it dries out then nothing will print at all, new ink or not. Once you have all of the inks with something in them inserted in the printer you can set it to print in Black Ink Only from the computer as well for future use.
If you'd like to know how to set the printer to print using Black Ink Only from the computer, please let me know which version of Mac or Windows that you're using and I will get back to you with instructions.
Hope this answers your question, have a great day!!
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**MissTeriLynn**
I work on behalf of HP

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Why won't Canon Pixma MG5350 print in black and white?

Why won't Canon Pixma MG5350 print in black and white?

How can I print in black and white only directly from apps on hp screen?

My printer preference from my pc is set to print in black and white from my computer. How do I set the same black and white settings from the HP Photosmart Plus printer, when printing directly from Apps on Home screen?

Hello AdrianaSFleury,
At this time there is not an option or a default to set black and white only from the front panel of the printer. Some applications may give you settings in the Application itself for color or black and white but that would be the only place to change the color of the document/photo for your print jobs.
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Photosmart 8750 won't print sharp black and white photos

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