The black ink will not print, new cartridge, is spotty and not readable, barely prints black, printing color documents OK

I think the printer is defective and based on cost of repair versus replace make a decision.

Check that the jets are clean as it sounds like there may be a restricted flow of ink - assuming that there is sufficient ink in the cartridge. Try printing the test picture in the HP Printer Asistant software. This requires black as well and a lack of black would show up. If the black cartridge is full and you suspect that the jets are blocked, try leeching the jets clean by pressing a piece of tissue paper over them. If that does not help stand the cartridge in a saucer of hot water for a while, wipe off the bottom of the cartridge and try it again. There is also a cartricge cleaning sequence in the HP Printer Assistant probram

1. Take out the black cartridge once you've determined that you are completely out of black ink. You'll have to rely on the dark hues from the color cartridge to print in black.
2. Adjust the printer software settings. Once you take out the black cartridge, your printer's software will typically warn you that you are missing a cartridge. Follow the instructions for your printer to allow the printer to print without the black cartridge. Then set the printer to print in black and white, not color. This overrides the black cartridge and allows the printer to access the dark hues of the color cartridge.
3. Print a test page to ensure that your printer now prints black using the color cartridge.
4. Print your documents. Bear in mind that your documents may not appear as black as normal. Still, they should be dark enough to pass for black, depending on how much color ink you have and the strength grade of the ink.

You can always perform the print nozzle cleaning procedure through your printer's software. If it is new, then the black cartridge has malfunctioned. Take it and your receipt to exchange it for another. I'll bet this is the problem since your color is working OK and your text is grayscale (partially working).

Your print head is probably clogged. If you have already tried the cleaning cycle, it's time to take the printer into an Epson repair center to find out what the problem is. More than likely they will have to replace the print head.

If when you attempt to print only with the black cartridge installed but it won't print, then this specific printer requires that color ink also be installed. Typical with most inkjets.

Yes, this printer has fixed printheads and must have ink in each color to prevent damage to the printheads. Even when printing black only each color is spit in the servicing area to keep the printhead unclogged.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging

Im sorry to inform but yes, Epson ink jet printers require all of the ink cartridges to have ink in them in order to print any color, black and white, or grayscale images. Epson printers contain a permanent print head that needs to be charged with all colors to work. Even when users are printing black text only, a small amount of color ink is used to keep the print head charged for color printing and prevent air bubbles from entering the color print nozzles which can damage the print head. Therefore, once one of the cartridges are expended, the printer signals you to replace the cartridge in order for printing to continue.

Sounds like a damaged or dirty flex cable to the print heads. If those tiny contacts go bad, nothing will print properly. Check the cartridge and socket area for any dirt or dis-coloration. The connections can be cleaned with contact cleaner (from radio shack), and then dried with isopropl alcohol (use the purest you can find).

My husband answered this for me- it takes different colors to make black, therefore it uses some of the color ink