topic Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out? in Desktop Inkjet Printers

How do I get PIXMA MX490 to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

PVE — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:36:39 GMT

I have a Canon Pixma MX490 printer. I never use the color cartridge, and it has now gone dry. The machine suddenly won't print at all, giving me the message that I must replace the color cartridge. I have changed the printing preferences to “Greyscale”, but it still won’t print. The little orange light on the printer is on permanently. How do I get the machine to accept the “Greyscale” instruction, and only print with the black cartridge?

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Patrick — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 11:26:48 GMT

Hi PVE,

The PIXMA MX490 must have both ink cartridges installed and contain ink in order to use the printer.

To clear the error, please insert a new color ink cartridge into your PIXMA MX490.

Once inserted, you can the PIXMA MX490 to only print from the black ink cartridge. To do this, please follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on Devices and Printers.

3. Right click the PIXMA MX490 series Printer and left click on Printing Preferences.

4. Click on the Maintenance tab.

5. Click on the Ink Cartridge Settings button.

6. Select Black Only from the drop down box and click OK.

Your PIXMA MX490 will now be set to only print from the black ink cartridge.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Chris_ — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:04:12 GMT

Hi, I have recently changed the printer settings to print only from the black cartridge but I now get a warning every time I print that the quality may be affected because of this. I have tried to turn off printer notifications but it hasn't helped. I do a lot of printing and this pop up is driving me insane! I am on Windows 10 and the printer is a Pixma MX376. Any advice as to how to stop this notification whilst still being able to print only from black would be greatly appreciated!

TIA.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Michael — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:58:57 GMT

Hello.

When either the Black only or Color only modes are used, the warning that appears before printing cannot be removed or disabled.

This didn't answer your question or issue? Find more help at Contact Us.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

PVE — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:34:27 GMT

Many thanks for all the advice. It worked perfectly when I held down the red "button" on the printer (above the orange flashing light showing that the ink cartridge was dry) and I held it down for quite a long time (it seemed longer than 10 seconds – perhaps 15 or longer). My printer is now working perfectly, printing with only the black cartridge, and I am very happy with the result.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

pyaffie — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 22:02:16 GMT

I used the suggestions here and was able to find my way to a resolution even though my printer is a 472 and is configured a little differently. Thanks for the ideas.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

duchessnla — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:51:44 GMT

that's just greedy to require that and then make your ink cartridges so expensive. I'm trying to get a job and print resumes and i can't pay the price of a color ink cartridge. I've returned all the old ones i have and now this printer is useless to me.

Re: How do I get printer MP250 to use only black ink with a Mac computer

Edward2 — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:35:22 GMT

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Percy — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 15:59:45 GMT

I had same problem, the printer gave instruction touch the button to the right of the screen of your printer (it looks a bit like a kite shape) for 5 seconds this overrides the printer knowing there are empty cartridges. I did this it worked

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

llaventhal — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 17:18:38 GMT

I found this on your site and modified it a bit because of where my red button was located...BUT IT WORKED!!! It worked perfectly when I held down the red "button" on the printer (above the orange flashing light [in my case, below] showing that the ink cartridge was dry) and I held it down for quite a long time (it seemed longer than 10 seconds – perhaps 15 or longer). My printer is now working perfectly, printing with only the black cartridge, and I am very happy with the result. [SAME HERE!]

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

JennA2 — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:14:26 GMT

I have followed these for over a year and it worked fine. But now the printer is using both cartridges although my settings are for the black ink only. I've reset the printer, my computer but the color ink is running dry. What do I do now?

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Birdwatcher — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:22:35 GMT

does canon make a printer that prints just black and white

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Patrick — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 17:32:26 GMT

Hi Birdwatcher,

If you purchase a printer that uses a black ink cartridge and a color ink cartridge, you can sent the printer driver to only use the black ink cartridge.

This is not available with a printer that uses multiple ink tanks (one for each color).

For further assistance, please call Canon's Sales by dialing (800) 385 - 2155.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Birdwatcher — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 19:40:33 GMT

This is not strickly true. whilst you can tell your printer to use black ink only but when the colour gives up the ghost the printer will cease to work and you have to purchase a new ink cartridge to get the printer to work. You might ask if you have told the printer to use black ink only how does the colour ink run out, the simple answer is when the printer has been switched on or recovers from sleep mode the ink cartridges push a smal amout of ink through the jets to make sure the jets are clear so you get a print out, it will take some time but when the last residue of colour ink expires so does your printer.

Any comment on this Canon will be gratefully aknowleded by all

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Birdwatcher — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 21:21:37 GMT

so the answer is no,i suppose i should do what you said and just let the colour run out like you said but next time i get a printer regardless of make i will get a black only, lets face normally how many times do you print a picture unless it's on photographic paper but hey thanks for taking the time out to reply.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

Birdwatcher — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 21:29:08 GMT

yes quite correct but you must have a colour cartridge in the machine or it will not work. by telling to print black only it will do until the colour cartridges runs out, as stated above when you switch on or wake up from sleep mode the printer injects a small amount into the jets even the colour one so when the colour cartridge runs out the printer stops working, the red button solution sounds good i can't wait to try it when my colour cartridge runs out.

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

bmunro — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:28:12 GMT

What are the steps for the pixma mp 560? ( i don't have a "Cartridge Settings button) win 10

I've gone through 4-5 sets of colour ink, never used up a black cartridge... and I never print in color!

Please help!

Re: How do I get printer to use only black ink cartridge when color cartridge runs out?

shadowsports — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:26:53 GMT

@bmunro wrote:
What are the steps for the pixma mp 560? ( i don't have a "Cartridge Settings button) win 10
I've gone through 4-5 sets of colour ink, never used up a black cartridge... and I never print in color!
Please help!

Greetings,

This thread applies to a different printer model than yours. Please start a new thread so your question can be answered with the correct information.