Do you have to install all the ink cartridges for the printer to work, are you able to install just the black ink cartridge if that's all you are using at the time? I had a Kodak ink jet which required the all the ink cartridges to be installed to work. 2. Is that printer able to use compatible ink or have they rigged it to only run on HP produced ink only? Do you have to install all the ink cartridges for the printer to work, are you able to install just the black ink cartridge if that's all you are using at the time? I had a Kodak ink jet which... » Read More Do you have to install all the ink cartridges for the printer to work, are you able to install just the black ink cartridge if that's all you are using at the time? I had a Kodak ink jet which required the all the ink cartridges to be installed to work. 2. Is that printer able to use compatible ink or have they rigged it to only run on HP produced ink only? « Show Less
1787226
Zachary, I do not know if it will work with just black. And I am not aware of a source yet for aftermarket ink. However I can tell you this that we used to have aftermarket in our old laser at half the price of original but even with paying for the cost of HP ink- BTW Amozon good deal- we are Very happy with the quality and output. Our average cost is as low or better than before. We really like this machine.
1787227
I can't really answer your question as I sent it back to HP, sorry. The vendor screwed me over by not taking it back because I ran ink through the jets which was NOT in their return policy and then Amazon did NOT step up to the plate when they should have. HP was VERY nice in working something out with me. Best of luck
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..
1787229
You have to have all of the cartridges installed. I do not know of any really good compatibles for this printer yet. Remember, the HP inks are about $105-$115 for the black 970xl and that prints 9200 pages. If you choose to print black only, the colors last indefinately because you are not using them. This is the best HP printer I have owned. I have had many many hp laser printers, and this one blows away the laser printers, and especially the color laser printers.
1787230
I believe you do need all cartridges to function but you can set it to print in greyscale only. I would recommend genuine HP ink for a printer of this cost you should use top grade.and there are settings that allow you to use very little black. also the black XL should yield about 9,000 pages
2063044
Actually, if you don't tell your printer to print in black only (for printing black), it will use a combination of color ink to make the black. There should be a setting in your printers preferences wherein you can tell it to print in black only when you want to truly print in black.
300439
I have printed in only black and white. Just now, I removed the 3 color cartridges, and it would not print. May be missing something, but I think all the cartridge slots must be filled.
437805
Some say yes and some say no. I too would like to know because my printer (HP 7520) has both a black ink cartridge and a photo ink cartridge. Those who said yes - does this mean you used the regular black in your photo black cartridge?
1998564
In my experience, HP printers have the best compatibility: most printers are detected as soon as you plug them / turn them on, and software is installed automatically, no CD required. Also had good results with Epson. As for Kodak, I really don't know. Check out the compatibity charts of your printer model either at Ubuntu or CUPS (the printing server used in Ubuntu)
930640
Had the same issue with the Black Ink cartridge but the Color worked fine. Contacted vendor through Amazon and they sent me another Black Cartridge at no charge. The new one did not work either. Contacted the vendor once again and got a full refund for the Black Cartridge which was more than enough to order it from another supplier that had one which worked. Up side was I did not have to return anything. You might want to try another black cartridge from somewhere else? Dunno your printer. My printer was able to tell me which cartridge was not working. Good luck!
220422
Sorry, I can't be much help. I can't remember if that's the same problem I had. I know the ink cartridges were stuck on the left side. I researched and found out others had the same problem. I don't think I had the printer more than a year and a half. I contacted Kodak support and they had no solution that wasn't going to cost me a bunch of money, so I junked it, after trying to take it a part and fix it. This was obviously a technical malfunction not due to normal wear and tear.Kodak should have owned up and fixed it for free. I'll never buy another Kodak again!
1535295
I am trying to find the ink for my printer to have on hand when the ink that comes with it runs out. So far, I can only find a 4 pack - it uses 7 cartridges. Do you have to purchase the other 3 separately? Thanks
2247032
From previous purchases of printers, I did buy ink separate for this printer. However, to my joyful surprise, a black & color cartridges were included in the box. So now I have a backup for both cartridges. Not sure if cartridges come wIth every printer of this type or it was special from the seller.
1002628
Sorry to hear about your problem, I never had any problem with mine recognizing the ink cartridges. I have ordered 2 different package deals and they both have worked. I would say that you have a problem within the printer itself. To have it fixed would cost more than getting another one. Unless it's still under Warranty.
1422619
Hi J.Young. No, the printer only has one black ink hole. I didn't know about the different black inks at the time I wrote that, but I know now. I have one photo black ink and will try it in the printer when my regular black ink runs out, but don't think it will work. Thanks for the reply. Ken
1570496
No, you can't refill nor can you use compatible generic cartridges, tried both, it won't get recognized.You're stuck paying the higher prices. Very smart of Kodak to manufacture the printer in such a way you HAVE to buy new OEM Kodak ink.On the other hand, I won't buy another Kodak printer again.
999430
I can fine no information which says that both cartridges have to be installed to print black and white prints. However, I am thinking that it is probably a good idea to have both cartridges installed. It may well be as Donald Graham suggested, though I cannot verify that.
2173675
I'm not familiar with your series of printer but I do know that all Kodak printers operate this way. You must have a cartridge (that has ink) in both sides of the cartridge holder in order for the printer to print. The printers wont print when one cartridge is empty. Its just a defalt setting that Kodak has installed on all of their printers and they claim its to ensure perfect prints every time you print... Honestly I think its just a way for Kodak to make more money, to make sure that we have to buy both color and black/white cartridges. With all that being said, this is the best price I have found on these cartridges especially when you purchase a subscription plan and they always seem to come in just in time for me! Good luck!
58463
No, if any of the color cartridges are empty it doesn't print black (as in text). It doesn't print anything. p.s. Just happened to notice the black print option on the actually printer, and tried it out (the printing option is the only one that doesn't seem to respond to this option) but copying certainly did. Sorry for the incomplete answer.
368798
Yes you can use just the ink cartridge. I hope that tells you what you needed to know.
1181215
Once the photo ink runs out you will get an error message stating it. This same error message will not allow you to print until it is corrected (by replacing the empty cartridge with a refilled one). So in conclusion you will need all 5 cartridges for printer to work.