Check Cartridge Levels – Check the estimated ink levels of your printer cartridges and replace any low or empty ones.

It may have a different name, such as “Quality Diagnostic Report”. You should be able to find this option on your printer’s display screen.

Print a Test Page – A test page is a simple way to determine your printer’s performance and see if any black ink makes it onto the page.

Wait a few moments, then fire it back up and see if your problem is solved. Completely shut down the printer, remove the power source and disconnect all cables. This is a fancy way of saying turn it off and on again.

Perform a Full Power Cycle – Before we go any further, make sure you perform a complete power cycle on your printer.

You are also likely to need access to your printer’s relevant documentation (user manuals, etc.). To get your printer fully functional again, we need to identify the cause of the problem.Įnsure you know your printer’s make and model, including what type of printer you are using.įor example, is it a monochrome or color printer? Laser or Inkjet? There are a range of reasons why your printer might not be printing black. Here is a step-by-step guide for when a printer won’t print black.

The one good thing is that you’ve come to the right place.

The irritation of this unexpected time sink when you’re already busy can take it to another level. But, when something goes wrong (like a faulty printer), instead of making your job easier, it adds a whole new problem for you to solve. Technology is supposed to make the world simpler. When a printer won’t print black, you’re in a real bind. Whether you’re in a rush, need important documents printed quickly, or are running late for a meeting and need paper documents right now. If you are ever stuck with a printer that won’t print black, we understand your frustration.

Ink test page