The Printer Not Printing Black? Fix-It Permanently (Solved)

Is the printer not printing black? Well, that is a big issue. It means you can’t print your important documents and other forms required. This will ultimately hamper your work. So, after facing this problem, you immediately start looking for the phone numbers of the nearest printer service center.

But contacting them means you will have to spend a huge amount of money to repair the printer, its cartridge, or other minor issues. This will not only ruin your budget but also is time-wasting.

Why taking a long route when you can easily tackle the issue with the help of this informative post. We will explore the best ways to fix the issue of the printer not printing black in Epson and HP printers.

Table of Contents

Factors Behind Printer Not Printing Black

Numerous factors are responsible for this particular problem such as:

An issue with the printer head.
Paper printing is having some problems.
Outdated printer driver.
Improper source data
A problem with the ink cartridge.
An improper connection has stopped the Spooler service.
Epson printer can’t properly connect with the computer.
You have not set your printer status as “Default printer”
The printer is offline,
Firmware issue in your printer.

Repairing Epson Printer Not Printing Black Issue

Epson printers are one of the best printers available in the market because they are easy to operate and can be used efficiently. But, since it is an electronic device it is obvious to encounter some issues such as the printer not printing black.

Solution 1: Checking Spooler Service

Spooler service handles the function of printing and communication to the system. If it is off then you can encounter printing issues. Follow these steps:

Access the “Run” dialog box and write “Services. MSC”. Hit “OK”.

After that, you will see a service window.
Navigate to the option “Print spooler” and tap twice on it.

Now, on a new window, check that the option “Startup Type” is selected as “Automatic” and the status of “Service” is running.

If it is not set as automatic, then tap on “Automatic” and hit “Start”.

Now, press “OK”.
At last, test a print page to see if the Epson printer is printing black now.

Solution 2: Choosing Epson Printer As “Default Printer”

In the section of reasons, we informed you that the printer shows issues if it is not set as default. To do that, follow these steps:

Firstly, access the “Control Panel” by tapping on the “Start”.

Then click on “Device and Printer”.

After that, right-tap on “Epson Printer” and choose “Set as a Default Printer”.

This method will surely fix the issue of “Printer not printing black Epson”.

Solution 3: Updating Old Epson Printer driver

If you use an outdated printer driver then you may face printing issues in the Epson printer. So, you have to update the driver to its latest version by following these instructions:

Firstly, tap on “Start” >> Now “Control Panel” >> Then “Device Manager”.

After that, locate the listed printer followed by right tapping on your printer.
Choose the “Update Driver” via options menu.
It will automatically initiate a search for the newest updated printer driver.
At last, follow all the instructions popping onscreen to install the updated printer driver.

Solution 4: From the PC, Cleaning The Print Head

You can clean the print head from the PC by following the next steps:

Firstly, access the “Control Panel” by tapping on the “Start”.
Then click on “Device and Printer”.
After that, right-tap on the printer followed by choosing “Printing Preference”.

Then, hit the “Maintenance” option.

Choose “Head Cleaning”.

At last, tap on “Start” and obey the further instructions.

This step will fix your issue, but if it still annoys you then follow the next troubleshooting method.

Solution 5: Unmark “Use Printer Offline” Status

Your printer will not print in black or anything if you have selected the option “Use Printer Offline”. You can unmark it by obeying the following instructions:

Firstly, access the “Control Panel” by tapping on the “Start”.
Then click on “Device and Printer”.
Now, on the following prompt, you have to right-tap on the “Epson printer” after which a list will appear.

There make sure that the status of “Use Printer Offline” is not marked (√). In case, it is ticked then uncheck it by tapping on it.
Once you finish this step, you will successfully set your Epson printer as “Default Printer”.

At last, exit from the window and print a test page from the printer.

Also Read, Unable to Print Invoices From Quickbooks – How To Fix?

Fixing The Problem – HP Printer Not Printing Black

Printing issues are common in all printers. If you are getting such an issue with, the HP printer then relax and don’t worry about why is my HP printer not printing black ink. Just follow the steps described below:

Solution 1: Cleaning the Printhead Using An Automated Tool

If you are encountering printing issues, then your printhead might be clogged. Follow these steps:

Firstly, load white papers in the printer’s tray.
Now, navigate to the “Control Panel”.
Inside the control panel, press the (-) button beside the Setup icon
Choose “Tools” and hit “OK”.
After that, select “Clean Printhead”, hit “OK”. This step will initiate the cleaning process.

Important: You will hear some mechanical noises once the cleaning process is started. Don’t worry, it is normal. After the process is completed, a test page will be printed.

Check the quality of the print and if it is not good then you need to run a second-level cleaning process by following the on-screen instructions to get good print quality.

Solution 2: Checking The Ink Level and Replacing The Cartridge

Step 1: Identifying the Ink Levels

If your cartridge is empty or has low ink then immediately replace it to avoid bad printing quality.

Firstly, load papers in the printer’s tray.
Click on “Start”.
Then click the (-) look-alike button under the “Control Panel”.
Select “Tools”, hit “OK”.
Hit the tab on “Estimated Ink Levels” followed by hitting “OK”.

If your cartridge is full then do not replace them and follow the next method.
If your cartridge has low ink then follow the next steps.

Step 2: Replacing the Empty/Old/Damaged Cartridge

Firstly, load papers in the printer’s tray.
Hold the button “Power” to turn on your printer.
Open the door of the cartridge. Wait, until your printer becomes silent.
To release the cartridge, press it down, then pull it out to remove it from its place.

Note: Don’t touch the ink nozzles or copper-colored contacts. Also, don’t tape your cartridge as it will lead to ink failure, clogs, and bad electrical connections.

Take out the new cartridge, then remove the tape by pulling the pull tab.
Make sure to hold your cartridge from the corners and insert it into the slot until it fits there. Confirm that the cartridge icon exactly matches the slot icon.
- Put the tri-color cartridge in the left slot.
- Put the black cartridge in the right slot.

Now, push your cartridge a little forward into its place until it fits.
Now, follow the same instructions to remove other cartridges, if needed.
At last, close the door of the cartridge.

Step 3: Aligning the Printer

Turn your printer on and load some papers.
Click on “Start”.
Then click the (-) look-alike button under the “Control Panel”.
Select “Tools”, hit “OK”.
Choose “Align Printer” and hit “OK”. Now, your printer is going to print an alignment sheet.
After that, lift the lid of your printer.
Put the alignment page (printed side will be down) on the scanner glass.

Close the lid, then hit “OK” to finish the alignment.
Now, you need to wait, until your printer scans the alignment page.

Some Extra Tips

Besides the above-mentioned techniques, there are some more brief solutions to the printer not printing black.

If your cartridge is black but is empty. Here, check that you have properly filled the black color ink in the cartridge
Remove the cartridge vent tape.
Install the cartridges correctly and put them in the holder. Ensure that you hear a click sound when you insert it into your printer.
From excessive pricing, the Ink filters can get clogged. For this, navigate to the settings and cancel all print jobs. After that, start new printing.
Check if your ink cartridges are old/expired.
Don’t keep the cartridge in direct sunlight.
You should clean your printer head from time to time.
Run good antivirus software in your system to prevent virus threats.

Final Take

We truly hope that by now the issue of the printer not printing black must have been successfully resolved. In this post, you have genuinely learned the various reasons that stop printers from printing in black along with the best-proven techniques to fix it. Do not delay the fixation process as it can lead to unwanted problems.

Also, if the printing issue remains then you need to replace your printing device or contact the customer care team to apply for a refund. At last, we hope that this article is useful and if you want to tell us any suggestions please write them down in the comments.