Two black cartridges

Why are there two black cartridges in my 410a All in one printer?  Do I need to replace both?  I've only replaced the main black one along with the color ones when they were empty with XL cartridges.  The "setup" black cartridge, with the bowtie symbol, is still there and I've never changed it.  Do I need to? Is it important for function?  What is its function?

Hi,
As a Photo printer there are both Black cartridge and a Photo Crtridge, both are required to be installed and have enough ink for the printer to operate, maintain the Printhead and assure its print quality.
The Photo cartridge include a Gray ink to provide more Grayscale as you may find explained below:
http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Photosmart-​Premium-Fax-e-All-in-One-Printer---C410a/4059515/m​...
Regards,
Shlomi
Say thanks by clicking the Kudos thumb up in the post.
If my post resolve your problem please mark it as an Accepted Solution

Similar Messages

  • Two black cartridges 7520 one full other empty but not printing black

    My black photo is empty (not sure why, don't use photo) the larger one on the right hand side is almost full but it is not printing anything black.  colors are fine.   I tried playing with the setting but am at a loss. 
    Please help.  Thanks!
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    groll
    Welcome to the HP Community Forum.
    This is just one of those things -- you have to have all five cartridges to print with this printer.
    The Photo Black is not just for Photos -- this type of black is "jet black" and is used for particular kinds of "black-black" printing needs that are not only present in Photo Images.
    Regular black prints gray-black, gray, mixes with other colors and prints some of the blackish fonts.
    If I describe it further, I might misrepresent it and no doubt someone will jump on me.  I may have already muffed it.
    You bought into this concept when you purchased this printer -- maybe not deliberately, but just so.  The extra "Photo Black" cartridge is one of the reasons this printer is capable of reproducing truly excellent color photographic Images.
    If you like, you can buy HP genuine ink from HP:
      HP SureSupply
    The shipping is Free -- and the shipping is super fast, at least here in the USA.
    Reference:
    HP Photosmart 7520 e-All-in-One Printer Full Feature Software and Drivers
    Click the Kudos Thumbs-Up to say Thank You!
    And...Click Accept as Solution when my Answer provides a Fix or Workaround!
    I am pleased to provide assistance on behalf of HP. I do not work for HP. 
    Kind Regards,
    Dragon-Fur

  • Canon MP630 black cartridge problem

    After just 4 weeks with my new iMac I find that my cartridge use on the Canon MP630 printer is very uneven. There are two black cartridges and one is almost empty and the other is full!! I suspect the full one is for black printing only but cannot find how to select this. Can anyone help please?

    The two black cartridges are used for different tasks. The smaller dye-based cartridge is used for photo printing - to enhance colours so it shouldn't run out that quick, especially compared to the three colour tanks. The larger pigment-based cartridge is for text printing and is also used when you select black copying.
    The Quality & Media setting can influence the amount of ink used, but as I said you should not find the black runs out quicker than the colours, unless you have been printing b&w A4 photos.
    Pahu

  • HP 5440 Pryamid of black ink under the HP92 black cartridge

    I am getting a black cartridge error and the resume button/light flashing.
    I took the black cartridge out and tried a test print from the computer and the paper feeds in and out fine but no ink is on the paper.  I will be getting a new HP 93 color cartridge shortly but how do I clean up the black ink mess before I use a new black cartridge?

    The ink in the service station area is normal.  It is not necessary or desireable to clean this area - attempting to clean it may cause problems. 
    It sounds like there are a few issues.  For the black cartridge rejection issue cleaning the carriage and printer contacts as shown in solution two, figure 33 of the document here may help resolve the issue.
    Is color not printing because it is empty?  If not the troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve the issue.
    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

  • Will a Pixma automatically use the alternate black cartridge?

    When the 220 black cartridge in my Pixma goes empty will the printer automatically use the 221 black instead? I now have three 221 blacks on the shelf and would just as soon use them up instead of buying a 220.

    Hi PRambler,
    The reason for the two different black ink tanks is for the different types of printing your unit is able to perform.  They are not intended as backups to each other. 
    The larger black tank is pigment based, and is primarily used for standard black text printing or output.  The smaller black ink tank is dye based like the color inks, and is used for photo and graphics output. 
    They are designed to complement each other, allowing the printer to produce the best possible black text output or photo quality as appropriate. 
    Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

  • What's the point of buying a 364XL black cartridge?

    I'm just curious. Since last fall, the 364XL black cartridges (V1) contain less ink than before and are rated at a yield of 550 pages instead of 750* pages, but everywhere I look (in Sweden) they still cost the same.
    One of the stores I went to had both the old 364XL (warranty date July 2012) and the new V1 (warranty date October 2012), at the same price of course. I was shocked to see the difference in page yields between the two. I didn't think the difference would be that big.
    The thing is... I could get three standard 364 black cartridges for the price of one 364XL black cartridge. Before last fall, that would make the 364XL completely moot for value. Now that the latter contains less ink than before but costs the same, I'd be paying more for less, and the standard cartridge is the best value. That's funny.
    In addition to the somewhat... unclear indication on the Photo black cartridges of their compatibility, I find this move very peculiar. HP wants me to buy HP ink, no? The official HP cartridges already contain only a spitful** of ink, so I think this way of conducting business is strange and confusing.
    Edits:
    * I realized that I was wrong about the yield for the older 364XL black cartridges; the page yield was not rated 750 pages in the old cartridges at all. It was rated 800 pages.
    ** After posting this, I actually spat in a medicine cup and it turned out to be only 2ml, whereas a standard 364 black cartridge is rumored to contain 6ml. So I have to correct myself; it contains three spitfuls of ink.

    doesn't look like anyone from HP are willing to say anything on this. My old fountain pen held more ink than one of these cartridges

  • PSC 2110 "remove and check black cartridge"

    I'm getting an error message "Remove and check black cartridge" even though my cartridge is not empty (purchased it recently) and has not expired. I have removed it, cleaned it, cleaned the contacts on the printer and reinserted. It takes me through the align cartridges process and after I press enter to scan the alignment page I get the "remove and check black cartridge" message again. Also I have replaced the colour cartridge (per advice on another site) and put a folded piece of paper in front of the black cartridge so that it presses against the contacts 'better' - all to no avail. I bought a new black cartridge yesterday (expires in 2010) and get the same message. All of my cartridges are HP, not refills or cheap brands.
    I would appreciate any suggestions.. thanks

    Thank you - - I went through your two suggestions and still got the "remove and check black cartridge" message after the partial reset. I decided to try putting the photo (58) cartridge in instead of reinserting the black cartridge. (I had done this some time ago and got a different error msg - telling me to insert the black cartridge - so I didn't think it would work but thought I'd try anyway). It took me all the way through the alignment process and the printer seems fine - at least I was able to print. Maybe my black cartridges are faulty??

  • Photosmart 8250, black cartridge stopped printing and red is replacing it! how to fix?

    I have done all the avail trouble shooting steps, unpluged and repluged the printer and restarted computer (Mac), bought a brand new Black cartridge even though the one in is still new and won't expire till mid 2013! as the last step I used a q-tip and a bit of alcohol to clean the nazel that attaches to the cartridge.
    HP said nothing can be done! ( anybody has any fix for this? I really appreciate any tips, thank you!

    Sorry to hear this! Lets see if we can get this fixed. Try the steps I have listed below and see if that gets you up and running again.
    Step One: Clean the printheads using HP Solution Center
    Make sure that there is plain, unused, white paper in the input tray.
    In the HP Solution Center, click Settings , point to Print Settings , and then click Printer Toolbox .
    Click the Device Services tab.
    Click Clean the Printheads .
    The product cleans the printheads and prints a page that can be recycled or discarded.
    If the quality of the output is satisfactory, click Done . If the quality of the output is not satisfactory, click Clean the Printheads again.
    NOTE:The printheads may be cleaned as many as three times.
    If no defects appear on the diagnostic page, the cartridges and product are probably working correctly. Click here to continue troubleshooting (c00211601) (in English).
    Step Two: Align the printheads
    Make sure that only plain, unused, white paper is loaded in the input tray.
    Touch Setup on the touch screen.
    Touch Tools , then touch Align Printer .
    The product prints a test page, aligns the printheads, and calibrates.
    If that does not fix it then try this document: Continued Troubleshooting when the Self Test Page does not Show Defects
    Be sure to post back with yoru result so I know if this resolved your issue! Good luck
    -------------How do I give Kudos? | How do I mark a post as Solved? --------------------------------------------------------

  • Barely used 564 color cartridges show all same low level. 564 XL black cartridge shows 3/4 full

    Two months ago, I purchased and installed 564 XL Black and 3 color cartridges in my Photosmart 309a. I've printed approximately 100 black and white documents and no color documents. My black ink level is 2/3 full but the color cartridges are all showing the exact same level--just above empty. I also just installed a photo black cartridge, which is showing 1/2 full.
    Black copies are great. Color copies are streaked and faded. I've contacted HP tech support on the phone and was given the same answers over and over for almost 20 minutes. After asked his supervisor to help, he quickly came back and gave me almost 10 more minutes of the same explanation as before. No answers, options or solutions--just run-around. And now, I'm out $52 without even printing a single color copy?

    Hi,
    Looks like your setup is to use quality Grayscale. As you know mixing all prime colors together at a right amounts will give you millions of colors from black to white. To print BLACK INK ONLY,  please try:
    (a) Double click printer icon,
    (b) Click Set preferences
    (c) Click Advanced,
    (d) Select "Black ink only" under Grayscale
    (e) Click Apply/OK ...
    Note: As mentioned in my previous reply, printer STILL needs and USES color inks during warming up process and few other processes to keep itself in good health.
    Regards.
    BH
    **Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
    Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

  • Officejet Pro L7500 - empty black cartridge - full and brand new

    I have gone through all the troubleshooting I can think of.  I have removed printer heads, printer cartridges, installed new cartridge.  Nothing helps.  It will print one page when you remove the black cartridge and reinstall it.  Then when it goes to print the second page we get the error msg to install a new cartridge.  We would really like to copy things. 

    Hello there! Welcome to the forums @Frustratedarggg ,
    I understand you have tried installing two new black ink cartridges, and they both seem to be leaking ink inside of your Officejet 8600. My best suggestion for this specific issue would be to call us directly to discuss the issue in real time, to see how our technical support can help this situation.
    Please call our technical support at 800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region. http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html
    Have a great Monday
    R a i n b o w 7000I work on behalf of HP
    Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" at the bottom of this post to say
    “Thanks” for helping!
    Click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution!

  • HP Photosmart 8450 is giving me a 'pen failure' error from the gray/black cartridge.

    This error started out as just an apparent empty ink cartridge but now looks to be something else.  It won't clear with a new HP 96 Black cartridge...tried two new ones actually, three if you count the HP 100 photo gray.
    Any ideas on what may be causing this?  I've tried powering down and repeating but no joy.

    If you have cleaned the printhead with a cloth per the document http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docnam​e=c00719450&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=443024&tmp_​... it is time to just replace the printer.
    Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.

  • Incompatible 564XL Black Cartridges

    * BEWARE * There are two different varieties of 564XL Black ink cartridges -- only one of which is compatible with my OfficeJet 4620.
    Earlier today I bought a bundled 4-cartirdge ink pack at Sam's Club. The three color cartridges fit just fine, but the black cartiridge is a 564XL "Photo Ink" -- this cartridge is just as narrow as the color cartridges, and has a "bow tie" icon.
    However, this version of the 564XL Black is NOT COMPATIBLE with many printers that use the wider 564XL black cartridge with a pentagon-shaped icon.
    The packaging does not (yet) indicate this incompatibility. Hopefully the packaging will soon be updated to inform sporadic ink consumers like me to exercise caution when purchasing these bundled packages.
    BTW: Hat tip to Alberto in HP Tech Support (a Hardware Supervisor) for accepting my complaint and remedying my misguided purchase.

    deichmans wrote:
    .... However, this version of the 564XL Black is NOT COMPATIBLE with many printers that use the wider 564XL black cartridge with a pentagon-shaped icon .... 
    Hi,
    Please also note: Many printers use both of them the narrow one called Black Photo ink cartridge. For example the 7510 series and 7520 series and many more.
    HP 564 Black Ink Cartridge (~ 250 pages)
    HP 564 Photo Ink Cartridge (~ 130 4 x 6-in pages)
    HP 564 Cyan Ink Cartridge (~ 300 pages)
    HP 564 Magenta Ink Cartridge (~ 300 pages)
    HP 564 Yellow Ink Cartridge (~ 300 pages)
    HP 564XL Black Ink Cartridge (~ 550 pages)
    HP 564XL Photo Ink Cartridge (~ 290 4 x 6-in pages)
    HP 564XL Cyan Ink Cartridge (~ 750 pages)
    HP 564XL Magenta Ink Cartridge (~ 750 pages)
    HP 564XL Yellow Ink Cartridge (~ 750 pages).
    Regards.
    BH
    **Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
    Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

  • Hello, I have a problem with my mac book pro after running the battery dead on a game.  The display has shrunk leaving two black margins on either side. What to do ?

    Hello, I have a problem with my mac book pro after running the battery dead on a game.  The display has shrunk leaving two black margins on either side. What to do ?

    Go to System Preferences>Displays and set the resolution to "Best for this computer" (or something to that effect).
    Clinton

  • How can i use only black cartridge for printing documents

    i have today installed hp 1510 all in one printer, it uses ink from the both cartridges i just want to use black ink for printing documents, how can i do that
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    Hi @sandeepv 
    I can help you with your print settings, so the printer will print black and white only.
    If you have a Mac operating system, use the instructions below.
    Printing with the Black Print Cartridge Only option
    Click File and then click Print.
    Make sure your printer is selected.
    Verify that the Preset option is set to Standard.
    In the Copies & Pages menu, select Select Paper Type / Quality.
    NOTE:If this option is not available, click ColorSync. Then click the down arrow beside Quartz Filter and change the setting from None to Black & White.
    Select the Paper tab.
    From the Color option menu, select Grayscale.
    Select the Color Options tab.
    Select the Black Print Cartridge Only option.
    If that option is not listed, then it is not available. The printer will print using only the black cartridge, however, printing with one cartridge will be slower than printing with both cartridges.
    NOTE:To save the setting, click the arrow next to Preset and select Save As. Save the Preset option as Black Cartridge Only and then click OK. Then, the next time you want to print with just the black cartridge, select the Black Cartridge Only Preset.    -Source
    If you are using a Windows operating system, use the instructions in the following link. Although this document is titled Changing Print Settings in Windows 8 it can be used for other Windows operating systems. The navigation from Windows 8 to older Windows operating systems would vary, please let me know if you are using a different operating system and/or if you require additional assistance.
    I hope this helps.
    Please click the Thumbs up icon below to thank me for responding.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
    Sunshyn2005 - I work on behalf of HP

  • Can I print with black cartridge only if colour cartidges are empty on HP C1600 seeries printer?

    Can I print using the black cartridge only whilst the colour cartridges are empty? I have a HP Photosmart C1600 series printer and Vista installed on my PC. I have set the Printer preferences to  "Grayscale and use Black Cartridge only" but the printer itself is telling me it wont print unless i replace my empty yellow cartridge. I bought a brand new Black cartridge so i could print using black ink only as i dont need to use colour.

    Hi,
    Many printers from all vendors will not print with just one empty ink cartidge, it doesn't matter which one. Some printers allow users to print but at slower than snail speed. Whichever way, we have to have ink carridges to be able to print (even scan).
    Regards.
    BH
    **Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
    Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Maybe you are looking for