If I am only going to be use the black ink, I shouldn't need to replace the colors?
356441
The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per day on average.
356442
The color ink has an expiration date, I have never hit one, so I don't know if it makes you replace it. Best printer I've ever had.
356443
The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per day on average. The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per... » Read More The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per day on average. « Show Less
1995262
Once the cartridge trouble shooter alerts you ink levels are low , you have the option to continue with only black ink. However, it may be light (more grey than black) .
101618
I find the ink usage less than HP's, but unless you step to an MX8XX series, yes, you do need to replace a color cartridge if one of the colors runs out. I've gone months without needing to replace a cartridge though.
1509869
I print quite a bit and I've only replaced the black ink once, even though I do mostly color printing.
767602
Only if your black is running low but I usually have one is each color on hand to avoid having to wait for ink to arrived so they run out. This is only the colored ink though black comes separate.
1787228
Yes the printer requires having ALL ink cartridges installed (and none empty) to print, if you run out of a color you cannot print (even in black) until the color cartridge is replaced..
1715246
I cannot use my printer without the color ink is possible to make black copies but to print something you need all colors
1797096
I'm not sure what you mean. If you want to use just black you need to go into properties or settings on our printer and (or computer at print) and click on black only.
1063793
I have the same problem. I am forever buying new black. The color lasts a bit longer. I keep an extra black around all the time. I bought a Kodak printer when my old HP died. I wish I had never made that purchase. $$ $$ $$....
1309876
That would be hard to say, I guess it would depend on what you are printing. I may use more black when printing certain documents, but if I want to copy photos, I may use more color. So, I guess the answer would depend on your use of the printer.
1711757
I have just tested it myself and it doesn't require a color cartridge to be installed. It will use up more of the black ink, since even black & white printing use up color ink. They use it to somehow help the black ink printouts survive longer. So if you don't mind losing those advantages...I think this particular feature is called "Reserve Mode" by HP. The only information I could find on it is for another HP printer, but with the same type of integrated cartridge/printhead as our HP Deskjet 3050 printer. https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc;=en&docname;=c00377367&lc;=en&product=357202More on HP Ink cartridges at http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/articles/howInkIsUsed.html?cCode=us%20target= I have just tested it myself and it doesn't require a color cartridge to be installed. It will use up more of the black ink, since even black & white printing use up color ink. They use it to somehow help the black ink printouts survive longer. So if you don't mind losing those advantages...I think this particular feature is called "Reserve Mode" by HP. The only information I could find on it is for another HP printer, but with the same type of integrated cartridge/printhead as our HP Deskjet 3050 printer.... » Read More I have just tested it myself and it doesn't require a color cartridge to be installed. It will use up more of the black ink, since even black & white printing use up color ink. They use it to somehow help the black ink printouts survive longer. So if you don't mind losing those advantages...I think this particular feature is called "Reserve Mode" by HP. The only information I could find on it is for another HP printer, but with the same type of integrated cartridge/printhead as our HP Deskjet 3050 printer. https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc;=en&docname;=c00377367&lc;=en&product=357202More on HP Ink cartridges at http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/articles/howInkIsUsed.html?cCode=us%20target= « Show Less
518387
If you try an run the printer without some ink in the color ink cartridges the printer will shut down until you get color ink cartridges. Besides you would ruin your ability to print in color because it would dry out your print head. I would not recommend not having some ink in my color cartridgesIt doe have a larger black ink cartridge just for black text printing.
121838
Yes that is correct BUT the most important thing to know is that if you're going to use the colored ink also, the colors are terrible. They are faded and instead of the colors or black coming out solid its all faded dots that make up the colors that look like water colors (very very pale). Not worth it. Get the correct ink for your printer everything including the black will be much more vibrant and the ink will last 3 times longer. NO GENERICS
96216
The Lexmark software has an option to use Black ink only. If you don't select this, even when you print an all-black document the printer uses a little bit of the color ink (as I understand it). So when I am printing a b&w; document I make sure I select "Use Black ink only" and it seems to stretch out the life of my color cartridges...IMHO
1283550
It will continue to print color will be degraded due to the missing color. Black will not be affected.
1612755
You will probably have to buy a new printhead. The company misleads customers by advertising that "you can save on printing and ink. They don't tell us that it uses both cartridges to print in color and in black only too. If you don't use it frequently it will start to malfunction. I put a brand new black cartridge in and I barely used it when it malfunctioned because I didn't have a color cartridge. Not pleased with this product!
856906
You can set the default setting to just use black ink. You can even put security settings that only certain people can use the color ink.