I just bought a new black ink cartridge but the colored ink cartridges are not available. Can I print even if those colored ink cartridges are empty? I don't really need colored inks.

You need both cartridges. It is a paradox that you need both cartridges to even scan on the mfp,s

You need to have the color cartridge installed. There is no software way to avoid that.

the paper was black or blank? i think you mean blank, the ink will dry out over time replacing the cartridges will most likely solve the problem, or for the cost of the two cartridges u may want to consider a new cheap printer.

Hi,The most common reason for missing or incorrect colors is a print cartridge with one of the following problems:

• One or more of the ink colors is empty. The black ink and all three colors of ink in the tri-color cartridge must be available or colors will be incorrect or missing. Under normal usage, the print cartridge will run low on one color of ink shortly before all ink colors are emptied.
• The protective tape is not removed from a new cartridge.
• Contacts on the cartridge are not making proper contact with the print carriage.
• The cartridge is remanufactured or refilled.
• The cartridge is defective.

Yes, unfortunately you do. There is a sensor that makes sure that there is a cartridge installed in both locations.

Good Luck!

Test your cartridges.

Remove the color ink cartridge then lower the cover of your printer. If the error message displays again, replace the black cartridge with a new one (or return the new one). Reinstall the color cartridge and remove the black ink cartridge then lower the cover. If the error message displays again, replace the color cartridge with a new color cartridge.
Note: My manual indicated that the printer might have detected a short circuit in a cartridge. I returned a month old black cartridge got a new one and my printer is working fine now. Good luck.

I had the same problem, and after scouring around online for a few days, I learned that this is one of the biggest gripes about this printer. Basically, you're out of luck unless you replace EVERYTHING, even though you only want to print black (nuts, isn't it?). So I went out and bought all new color cartridges, and it STILL won't print. I think it's just a bad printer all around. :(

Try changing it in the properties section under device settings
or go to color management if you have it and change the setting to black only,.

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

Make sure the printer settings are set properly to print in color on the PC. Even if there is a color cartridge, if the PC only tells it to print black ink it's not going to use the color cartridge.