Printer not printing black

Medium≈ Minutes to a few hours

Quick answer

If black will not print even though the cartridge or tank has ink, start with a printhead cleaning and check the test or nozzle check page. On a new HP cartridge, make sure the plastic tape is fully off. Canon's G3000 manual escalates from cleaning to deep cleaning, then system cleaning, and finally a service repair.

Basic checks first

  • The black ink level is not low or empty. HP and Canon both list the remaining ink level as the first thing to check.
  • On a new HP cartridge, the plastic tape has been removed with its pull tab. Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles, and do not reapply the tape.
  • The cartridge is genuine. HP says non-HP or refilled cartridges, very low ink and rough handling can all cause print quality problems.
  • The color, paper type, paper size and quality settings of the print job are correct for what you are printing.
  • Plain white paper is loaded, so the cleaning test page or nozzle check pattern can print.

Step-by-step by operating system

01Check the job's color and quality settingsIn the app you print from, choose File > Print, then Options, Printer Setup or Preferences (or the Paper Type/Quality menu). Make sure the color, paper type, paper size and quality settings are correct for the job, as HP's DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 guide advises.
02HP: run Clean Printhead in HP SmartLoad plain white paper. In HP Smart, click the image of your printer, then under Tools click Print Quality Tools and select Clean Printhead or Clean. A test page prints. If black is still missing, choose Yes for the second-level and third-level cleaning, which take a few extra minutes.
03Canon G3000 series: nozzle check and cleaning from the computerPrint the nozzle check pattern. If it does not print correctly, run a print head cleaning and print the pattern again. If two cleanings do not fix it, run a print head deep cleaning. Canon's manual covers these from Windows in its Cleaning the Print Heads topic.

Fixes by connection type

Any connection

Neither HP nor Canon lists connection steps for missing black ink: their fixes are ink level, cartridge, printhead cleaning and alignment. On a Canon G3000 series printer, system cleaning starts from the operation panel, without a computer.

Differences by brand

HPOn DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers, work in order and test after each step: Clean Printhead in HP Smart, Clean Ink Smear, check cartridges and ink levels, check paper and settings, align the printhead, replace the cartridge, then contact HP for service. Badly clogged printheads can need another cleaning cycle; wait at least 30 minutes before cleaning again.
CanonOn the G3000 series, check the ink level, print the nozzle check pattern, clean the print head (twice if needed), then deep clean, then system clean by holding Stop until the Alarm lamp flashes 5 times. Before system cleaning, refill any color whose level is below the single dot, because running it with too little ink may damage the machine.

Decision tree

Is the black cartridge or tank low or empty?Replace the low or empty HP cartridge, or refill the Canon ink tank of that color. If the level is fine, go on to the cleaning steps.
Did black stop after fitting a new HP cartridge?Take the cartridge out and check that the plastic tape was removed with the pull tab. Hold it by its sides and do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the nozzles, which HP says can cause an ink system failure.
Is black missing on the test page or nozzle check pattern?Clean the printhead. On HP, accept the second-level and third-level cleaning. On Canon G3000, if two cleanings do not fix it, run a print head deep cleaning.
Black prints, but it is gray or not dark enough?HP printers have a backup mode that prints with one cartridge: depending on which cartridge is removed, blacks are not as dark. Reinstall or replace the missing cartridge, then check the quality settings and the paper.
Still no black after deep cleaning (Canon) or the third cleaning level (HP)?On Canon G3000, run system cleaning after checking every ink level; if that fails, the print head may be damaged and Canon says to contact a service center. On HP, align the printhead, replace the cartridge, then contact HP for service and keep a print sample that shows the problem.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my printer not printing black ink even with a new cartridge?

On HP cartridges, check first that the plastic tape was pulled off with its tab and that the cartridge snapped into place. Then run Clean Printhead in HP Smart and check the test page. If an alignment page prints after installation, follow its instructions to complete the setup.

Why is my printer not printing black when the cartridge is full?

The print head nozzles may be clogged. Canon tells you to print a nozzle check pattern, then clean the print head, then deep clean it if two cleanings do not help. HP adds that a cartridge handled roughly in transport or installation can need a few hours for the printer's automatic servicing routine before you try again.

Why is my printer not printing black dark enough?

On HP printers in backup mode, which prints with one cartridge, blacks are not as dark when a cartridge is removed. Also check that the quality and paper type settings match the job and that the paper is clean and suitable, since some paper absorbs ink poorly and gives faded prints.

Why is my printer printing only color and not black?

Either the black ink is low or empty, or the black nozzles are not firing. Check the ink level, then print a nozzle check or HP test page and clean the printhead. If black still does not appear after the deepest cleaning, the print head may be damaged and needs service.

Why is my HP printer not printing black?

HP's guide for DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers says to clean the printhead in HP Smart, clean ink smears, check the cartridges and ink levels, check paper and print settings, align the printhead and replace the cartridge, testing after each task. If none of that works, contact HP to repair or replace the printer.

Why is my Canon printer not printing black?

For the PIXMA G3000 series, Canon's manual says to check the remaining ink, print a nozzle check pattern and clean the print head. After two cleanings, use deep cleaning, then system cleaning. If none works, the print head may be damaged and a Canon service center should repair it.

Printer not printing black after refill: what should I check?

HP says it cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of refilled cartridges and recommends genuine HP cartridges. On a Canon G3000 ink tank printer, refill any color below the single dot before running system cleaning, because system cleaning with too little ink may damage the machine.

PrinterErrors editorial team

Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.

Sources & methodology

Spotted something inaccurate? Report a content issue

Related error codes

HP 0xc19a0013The printer cannot detect or talk to its printhead. A