My color ink is out but i just installed a new black ink cartrige. The printing started message comes up but it never starts printing. Will my printer not print because I don't have color ink, even though I am only printing in black and white? I have restarted, change cables restarted computer, and tried printing is several programs to no avail.

clean cartridge slot and cartridge with alcohol q-tip swap.

Did you use a brandname ink cartridge - or is it a knock-off brand? If it is a brand name - then the cartridge is most likely defective. If it is a knock-off brand - some printers do not recognize the electronic in the cartridge and therefore don't see it as one being installed.

This may also help

Dell 922 AIO Black Ink Cartridge Missing Message

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1. Turn on your printer.
   
   
2. Open the front cover.
   
   

The ink cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position unless the printer is busy.

1. Press the tabs on the cartridge lids, then lift the lids.
   
   

1. Remove the old ink cartridges.
   
   

1. Store the cartridges in an air-tight container or dispose of them properly.
   
   
2. If you are installing new ink cartridges, remove the sticker and transparent tape from the back and bottom of each ink cartridge.
   
   

NOTE: You can use your printer with one cartridge (color or black) at a time. To extend the life of your color cartridge and improve printing speed, install both a color cartridge and a black cartridge at the same time.

1. Insert the new ink cartridges. Make sure the color ink cartridge is secure in the left ink cartridge carrier and the black ink cartridge is secure in the right ink cartridge carrier.
   
   

1. Snap each lid closed.
   
   

1. Close the front cover. The front cover must be closed to start a print job.
   
   

1. Open the Dell Printer Solution Center by clicking Start® Programs or All Programs® Dell Printers® Dell Photo Printer 720® Dell Printer Solution Center.
   
   
2. Click the Maintenance tab.
   
   
3. Click Install a new print cartridge.
   
   
4. Click Next.
   
   
5. Select the type of cartridge you installed.
   

NOTE: Specify whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or an old cartridge (one that has been used before). If an old cartridge is incorrectly identified as New Cartridge in the Dell Printer Solution Center, ink levels may be incorrect.

1. Click Next.
   
   

as long as the color print cartridges remain in the printer you should be able to print in only black and white.
If the error message does not come up and prompt you to chose this option, you should be able to tell the printer to print in black .

(1) go file print or print
(2) a gray box will pop up click on properties
(3) Click color
(4)click gray scale

This should do it for you!
(5) select black print cartridge only

Didnt I just answer this question?

Your printer doesn't know what you are printing ... the color is empty ... so the printer is preventing what it thinks is an error ... because, as I said, it doesn't know what is coming. Replace the color cartridge andthings will be fine.

Hi there Error 50c
This is for yours.
Regarding the Dell A940 "Error 50c"....the user guide doesn't seem to mention "Error 50c". They do, however, mention a "Cartridge Error" on page 52 of the manual. They claim this means that the printer has detected a short circuit (fuse/resister) in the cartridge. As you may or may not have noticed in the manual, this is what they recommend doing about it:

1) Press Power to turn the printer off.

2) Lift the printer cover/lid (scanner unit) until the scanner support holds it open.

3) Turn the printer on.
The ink cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position unless the printer is busy.

4) Remove the color ink cartridge.

5) Lower the printer (scanner unit) until it is completely closed.
If the error message displays again, replace the black cartridge with a new black cartridge.

If the error message does not display, repeat steps 1–3 and then go to step 6.

6) Reinstall the color cartridge and remove the black ink cartridge.

7) Lower the printer (scanner unit) until it is completely closed.

If the error message displays again, replace the color cartridge with a new
color cartridge.
If there is no error message (indicated by flashing lights), repeat steps 1–3 and then reinstall both ink cartridges.
8) Lower the printer (scanner unit) until it is completely closed.

If you get the error message again, while both cartridges are installed, replace both of the cartridges.

Basically, what they want you to determine is,....if the short circuit is with the "black ink" cartridge or the "color ink" cartridge and then replace the cartridge that has the problem.

You may have to buy a new cartrige.
Please all I ask is call back and just gave a vote, it will gave me some satisfaction to know am helping some one, so I will keep on helping.
All The Best: Pineworks

..."Open the ink supply andgently move the ink cartridges to the left. Then reach in to the rightside and you'll find a small (1/2 x 1 inch) sponge. Push it down andoff/on the machine. try it now. or ...go to where I found out more than I should know about Canon's and where I got my quote...http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/inkjet/39177 good luck.

disregaurd any prior solutions in cleaning any contacts. that model doesnt have an electrical contact to clean. there are little magnets inside each color and black cartrige that work off a float mechanisim inside each one. when the levels get low the magnet indicates to the printer it is empty. unfortunately for you this stylis model as with all brother model printers wont work even if the color your setting up in the properties or settings feature are set to black and the black is full. its the companies way of forcing you into buying new ink. be aware though that my brother catriges cost 78.00 for the 3 color and one black set. i found these cartriges online through ebay but with one more additional black cartrige for a total of 5 not for ,for a total cost of 13.11 with free shipping. sounds too good to be true but for 13.00 it was worth a try. i have now purchased several 5 packs from them and couldnt be happiere.

u should use all cartrige for printing with your printer

Yes. The printer won't operate without both cartridges installed, even if one is empty.