The black ink keeps drying up and will not print out black print

There are two black cartridges on this printer, have you replaced both?
A cartridge can dry so that it delivers no ink, but looks fine and no empty messages.
Furthermore, your Canon guarantee is only valid if you use original Canon ink cartridges.
The printers are far better than they were a few years ago, but using at least once a week helps keeping the ink from drying out. The test print is a good idea for that!!
If you are using other non Canon ink cartridges, its a good idea to replace them immediately the low ink is shown as not doing this can lead to a permanently damaged (expensive) print head. They are so cheap this cannot be a problem.
If you are refilling, refill once the tank is just below half full. That is the liquid side and not the sponge side. Drill a hole to allow this to be done without removing the cartridge and get a "resetter" to fool the printer to using an "empty" cartridge that you have refilled further.
Also there are mods offered to Canon printer owners that allow them to use ink tanks with no tiny PCB, which are cheaper. I have not tried this myself.
Running on empty WILL damage the print head....it simply overheats and burns out!!
If you need it rarely, buy a laser printer, but keep it in a different room due to the poisonous gases all emit to some degree, its called Ozone...

INK PROBLEM
Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent ink drying out and blocking the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages, then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer than replace the print head.