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General discussion

My printer won't print in black

Jan 25, 2009 11:37PM PST

Please can someone help me? I have an Epson Stylus Photo R300 printer. It suddenly will not print in black, but all other colours are OK and the cartridge shows as full. I have replaced the cartridge, done the head/nozzle cleaning procedure but still it won't print in black. When I took out the cartridge there appeared to be ink underneath although this is not the case under the other colour cartridges. Can anyone help?
Thanks
Maggie

Discussion is locked

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Does the self test pring black?
Jan 25, 2009 11:58PM PST

1. Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.

2. Disconnect the interface cable from the printer.

3. Make sure paper is loaded in the printer.

4. Hold down the Load/Eject button, then press and release the power button. Continue holding down the Load/Eject button until the power light starts to flash, then release it. The printer prints one page showing its ROM version number, ink counter, and a nozzle check pattern. If the pattern has gaps in its dots, you need to clean the print head.

5. To end the check, turn off the printer after it prints the check page. (from epson.com)

Be careful about repairs on these printers. Repair costs are usually more than a new printer.

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Black still won't print
Jan 26, 2009 10:03PM PST

The test print shows all the colours perfectly, but no sign of the black. I am not using Epson cartridges, I use Inkrite and a friend tells me I may have clogged up the printing head through not using the Epson cartridges. If I now go and buy a black Epson cartridge and then go through the head cleaning do you think that may work?
I am grateful for your help.

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"but no sign of the black"
Jan 26, 2009 10:25PM PST

The self test failed. At this point you consider your options of repair or replace.

Yes, the inkjet head costs as much as the entire printer.

"If I now go and buy a black Epson cartridge and then go through the head cleaning do you think that may work?"

My crystal ball is broken. I can't guess what will happen when you do that but I will let you know that I know to start shopping for a new printer.

Bob

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Sorry to hear about the crystal ball!
Jan 26, 2009 10:47PM PST

I think I will go and buy an Epson cartridge and try. If it works I will have saved a lot of money in buying a new printer. I will let you know.
If I see any cheap crystal balls when I am out I will get one for you.
Thanks for your help

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With my Canon printer ...
Jan 26, 2009 10:56PM PST
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Printer Can't print in black
May 16, 2011 1:30PM PDT

The following may work: remove all the ink supplies. Remove the printhead and soak it for about 5 minutes in 0.5" of very hot water. Gently blot the printhead on a soft damp paper towel to remove the excess water, then replace in the printer and then reinstall the ink supplies. get more help to fix printer not printing black . hope this helps you.

Thanks
Michel

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Get printer print in black help
Apr 5, 2016 3:47AM PDT

A ink cartridge or cartridges maybe low, empty or possibly clogged

The printer cannot print correctly if it lacks one of the basic colors

First step is to see will if it print a test page

Go to Start, settings, printers. Right click on the printer, properties, print test page.

If that doesn't work there should be a head cleaning option in properties that will make it clean the print heads.

If the ink cartridge is still clogged, saturate a q-tip with alcohol
and lightly rub the print head

If there is still nothing after that then either it’s badly clogged, low or out of ink, and needs to be replaced

Link to commercial site deleted by moderator.

Post was last edited on April 5, 2016 5:06 AM PDT