Complete troubleshooting guide for inkjet and laser printers
By TestMyPrinter Team
Step-by-step solutions for HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and all major brands
Most black ink issues can be resolved with these steps
Don't just trust the software - physically check the cartridge. Empty cartridges feel lighter. Some printers show ink remaining even when nearly empty.
Go to printer settings → Maintenance → Clean Print Heads. Run 2-3 cycles, waiting a few minutes between each.
Remove the black cartridge, clean the gold/copper contacts with a lint-free cloth, wait 30 seconds, then reinstall firmly until it clicks.
Go to Maintenance → Nozzle Check. This shows if black is partially printing or completely blocked.
Identify your specific symptom to find the right solution:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Colors print fine, black doesn't print at all | Clogged black nozzles or empty cartridge | Inkjet fixes |
| Black text faded or streaky | Partially clogged nozzles or low ink | Clean print heads |
| Text doesn't print but photos do | Pigment black (text) cartridge issue | Pigment vs Photo |
| Photos don't print black but text does | Photo black cartridge issue | Pigment vs Photo |
| Black works from some apps but not others | Driver or application settings | Check settings |
| After installing new cartridge | Protective tape, air bubble, or defective | Check tape, reseat, or try another cartridge |
| Laser printer blank or faded | Empty toner, seal not removed, or drum | Laser fixes |
Inkjet black ink issues are usually caused by clogged nozzles, empty cartridges, or air in the ink system.
The most common cause. Black ink is often pigment-based and more prone to clogging than dye-based color inks.
Note: If 3 cleaning cycles don't help, wait 6-8 hours (or overnight) and try again. This gives the cleaning solution time to dissolve dried ink. If still not working, try manual cleaning.
Air bubbles can enter the ink system after cartridge replacement or if the printer was moved/tilted.
Cartridges can be defective even when new, and third-party cartridges may have compatibility issues.
Laser printers are more reliable but can have different issues than inkjet printers.
Even when printer says toner is "low," there's often more toner available.
New toner cartridges have a protective seal that must be removed:
Check the instructions that came with the toner - they show exactly what to remove.
The drum unit is separate from toner and has its own life cycle (usually 3-4 toner cartridges).
The transfer roller moves toner from drum to paper. Issues here cause faint or missing print.
Some printers (especially Epson photo printers and some Canon models) have TWO different black inks:
If text doesn't print but photos do: Your pigment black channel is clogged. Run cleaning cycles specifically for pigment/matte black.
If photos lack black but text prints: Your photo black is clogged or empty. Check ink level and run photo black cleaning.
When automatic cleaning doesn't work, manual cleaning can dissolve stubborn dried ink.
HP Instant Ink users: If you canceled subscription, HP may have deactivated your cartridges. Non-Instant Ink cartridges are needed.
PIXMA tip: Canon PIXMA printers have separate PGBK (text) and BK (photo) cartridges - check both!
EcoTank: Check if black ink tank is properly vented. Air lock in tubes can prevent flow.
Laser: Shake toner side-to-side, check drum unit, clean corona wire.
Sometimes black not printing is a settings issue rather than hardware:
Some settings force color-only printing
Should be ON for text documents
Very light draft may skip black
Wrong paper type may use wrong black ink
Download latest from manufacturer website
If black works from Notepad but not Word, it's an app issue
In printer properties, click "Restore Defaults"
If your black cartridge isn't working and you need to print urgently, most printers can create "composite black" by mixing color inks:
This commonly happens because: 1) The black print head nozzles are clogged (most common), 2) The black cartridge is empty even if software shows ink, 3) Air bubbles in the black ink line, 4) Cartridge contacts are dirty or not connected properly. Start by running a print head cleaning cycle, then check that the cartridge is properly seated.
Yes, most inkjet printers can create "composite black" by mixing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. Disable "Black ink only" mode in your print settings. Note that composite black uses more color ink, may appear slightly tinted, and works better for graphics than text. This is a temporary workaround while troubleshooting your black cartridge.
Some printers have two black cartridges: Pigment Black (PGBK) is used for text on plain paper - it's waterproof and produces sharp text. Photo Black (PK) is used for photos on glossy paper - it produces deeper blacks in images. If your text doesn't print but photos do (or vice versa), check the specific black cartridge for that print type.
Only when you're experiencing print quality issues. Excessive cleaning wastes ink (cleaning cycles use ink to flush the nozzles). Run up to 3 cleaning cycles when troubleshooting. If 3 cycles don't help, wait 6-8 hours and try again - this gives the cleaning solution time to dissolve dried ink.
Laser printer black printing issues are usually caused by: 1) Empty or low toner - remove and shake the cartridge side-to-side, 2) Protective seal not removed from new toner, 3) Worn drum unit - drums have a separate life cycle, 4) Transfer roller problems. Shaking the toner cartridge or replacing it solves most cases.
Sometimes. Third-party inks may have different viscosity that clogs nozzles faster, or chip compatibility issues that cause the printer not to recognize the cartridge. If you're using third-party ink and experiencing issues, try a genuine OEM cartridge to rule this out as the cause.
Remove the print head or cartridge, dampen a lint-free cloth with warm distilled water, and gently dab the nozzle area until black ink transfers to the cloth. For stubborn clogs, soak the print head in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Use 90%+ isopropyl alcohol for dried ink. Let everything dry completely (15-30 minutes) before reinstalling.
Editorial Disclosure: Our troubleshooting guides are free and based on our testing experience. We may earn affiliate commissions from product links, which helps fund our research.
Test your printer to make sure black is working properly!