My C4280 won't print without a black ink cartridge installed.

SOURCE: c4280 printer photo cartridge instalation help

The extra cartridge you bought was probably the number 99 cartridge, if I'm not mistaken.

The cartridge actually replaces your black cartridge. Inside of the cartridge has black ink as well as the special photo ink.

I hope this helps

-Ernest

SOURCE: ink cartridges

Go through your standard print procedure. File>print then look for the properties button which is usually on the top right of the window. Press Properties and look for either Printing in B/W or grey scale. That should prevent your color cartridges from printing. After you check that box, you should be able to print black only.

SOURCE: HP PHOTOSMART C4280 PRINTER WONT READ INK CARTRIDGE.

The cartridge is not seated properly and/or the contacts are dirty. Use a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and gently clean both the copper contacts on the cartridge and inside the cartridge socket. Allow several minutes to dry and then try again.

SOURCE: How do I install ink cartridge for hp photosmart C4280

To replace the print cartridges
1. Make sure the HP All-in-One is on.
CAUTION: If the HP All-in-One is off when you open the print cartridge door to
access the print cartridges, the HP All-in-One will not release the cartridges for
changing. You might damage the HP All-in-One if the print cartridges are not
docked safely when you try to remove them.

2. Make sure you have letter or A4 unused plain white paper loaded in the input tray.

3. Open the print cartridge door.
The print carriage moves to the far right side of the HP All-in-One.

4. Wait until the print carriage is idle and silent, and then lightly press down on a print
cartridge to release it.
If you are replacing the tri-color print cartridge, remove the print cartridge from the
slot on the left.
If you are replacing the black or photo print cartridge, remove the print cartridge from
the slot on the right.
1 Print cartridge slot for the tri-color print cartridge
2 Print cartridge slot for the black and photo print cartridges
5. Pull the print cartridge toward you out of its slot.
6. If you are removing the black print cartridge in order to install the photo print cartridge,store the black print cartridge in the print cartridge protector or an airtight plastic container.

7. Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging and, being careful to touch only
the black plastic, gently remove the plastic tape by using the pink pull tab.
1 Copper-colored contacts
2 Plastic tape with pink pull tab (must be removed before installing)
3 Ink nozzles under tape

CAUTION: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or ink nozzles. Touching
these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

8. Slide the new print cartridge forward into the empty slot. Then gently push the upper
part of the print cartridge forward until it clicks into the socket.
If you are installing the tri-color print cartridge, slide it into the left slot.
If you are installing a black or photo print cartridge, slide it into the right slot.
Work with print cartridges 69
Maintain the HP All-in-One

9. Close the print cartridge door.
If you installed a new print cartridge, the HP All-in-One prints a print cartridge
alignment page.
10. When prompted, ensure plain white paper is loaded in the input tray, then press the

button next to OK.
NOTE: If you have colored paper loaded in the input tray when you align the print
cartridges, the alignment will fail. Load unused plain white paper into the input
tray, and then try the alignment again.

11. Place the page print side down on the scanner glass and then press the button next
to OK to scan the page.
When the On
Please Don't forget to rate this solution. Thanks.

SOURCE: installed new hp black cartridge 56 ink but won't print

it shows if your using refill cartridge. & if you r using refill cartridge clear cartridge sensor with soft hands your problem would be resolved.