I only use black for letter printing, why do colour cartridges run out? Any why do I have to replace colour cartridges so I can print in black?

printers use all cartridges to get the correct colour even black
best get a new colour cartridge then realign the printer with a test pattern

YOU SHOULD USE HP 21 BLACK INK CARTRIDGE FOR BLACK PRINTING.IF YOU USE 22 COLOUR CARTRIDGE YOU WILL GET ONLY GREAY PRINTING ONLY.I AM RIGHT?IF YOU USE COLOUR CARTRIDGES MAY YOU WILL GET MONEY LOSE. BECOS IT WILL FINISH EARLY.BLACK INK COST IS LESSTHAN COLOUR INK CARTRIDGES. SO YOU SHOULD BUY BLACK CARTRIDGE FOR REAL BLACK PRINTING.

switch to black and white on the printer settings.make sure ignore colour warnings are turned off

if that doesnt work youll need to replace the cyan,get it refilled for less or order online to reduce cost

Many printers especially Photo ones also use colour even when printing Black. so you do need to replace the spent colour cartridge.

If you only need to print in black get a B&W printer not a colour one.

It's probably because the colour cartridge has run out, it needs a colour cartridge aswell to print black.

Replace the black cartridge

Hi,
If you go to your printer properties, there should be a setting whereby you have to select the option to "PRINT USING BLACK CARTRIDGE ONLY". Make sure this option is selected, otherwise your printer will use ALL colors even if you only print black.
Let me know if you need any further assistance.
Best wishes,
Graemevm

This printer does not let you print if even one of the cartidges is out of ink. I suggest you replace them and then in the printer properties change your settings to the way you want color to be spent.

Hello,
Sounds like your print head may be faulty. If you can, get it replaced. This is caused by using recycled cartidges or faulty ink cartridge.

Thanks,
Lolita

its ok I solved it! I didn't realise that all the photo cartridge does is gloss over the colour picture produced by the colour cartridge. I simply had to replace the colour cartridge which had run out, so now its all working perfectly!!