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

[PVE]

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?

[JennA2]

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?

[Birdwatcher]

does canon make a printer that prints just black and white

[Patrick]

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.

[Birdwatcher]

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

[Birdwatcher]

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.

[Birdwatcher]

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.

[bmunro]

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!

[shadowsports]

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@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!

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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.