My HP 3550 won't print black when it is out of a color.

Anand Kumar

• 2035 Answers
• Posted on Jan 30, 2009

SOURCE: hp 3550 printer color cartridge printing but black not printing

try to clean the black cart :

# Hold the cartridge upside down, with the bar-code label facing you and take a damp paper towel.
# Use the towel to wipe the printhead of the cartridge on the bottom (where the ink comes out). Wipe the printhead horizontally in one direction only (left to right).
# Continue doing this until it looks clean.
# Then dab the cartridge on the towel to make sure the ink is flowing.
# Next, look inside the printer and locate the carrier that holds ink cartridges. Caution: Make sure the cartridges are not installed at this point.

1. Look for a shiny piece of metal underneath the contacts at the back of the carrier.
2. Take a damp cotton swab (use water only!) and wipe along the bottom of the shiny metal piece. Note: You may need more than one swab.

# Reinstall the cartridges, making sure you snap them correctly into the printer.

SOURCE: My HP 3550 won't print black when it is out of a color.

If you chose: Print in GreyScale, the printer will be forced into Monochrome mode. This is available in the Printer Properties. However, I do not know if this will work on this printer. I have seen it work with other manufacturer's printers (mostly inkjets).

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

SOURCE: my HP Color Laserjet 3550 Printer wont print black

go through the menu on the printer ,there is a setting where it can be set to continue printing when the toner is out.

SOURCE: my HP Color Laserjet 3550 Printer wont print black

The 3550 won't print in any color if any of the colors are out. You'll have to replace the color ink that's empty to get it to print.

In the future, if you're just printing black and white, you can select "Print in Grayscale" from the print properties to just use the black ink cartridge, which will help the color cartridges to last longer.