The black ink has stopped printing. Put in two different new cartridges and that doesn't seem to be the problem. It was first noticed when photos were printing out funny even after changing the color cartridge. Then soon the black started skipping then nothing

Smash printer with axe or sledgehammer. Grin maniacally. After researching on internet,go out & buy new printer that allows you to print till empty & refill again! Obviously not a Lexmark...

Did you already run the head cleaning cycle from the utility?

Replace the print cartridge
When you notice that the print becomes light or ink low or when install new ink
cartridge appears in the display, replace the print cartridge. The part number for
replacement cartridges is HP 701.
1. Take out a cartridge from its packaging and carefully remove the tape covering the
printhead.
Hold the cartridge by the colored top or black areas only. Do not touch the copper
area.
2. Press the Access Cartridge button on the control panel.
The cartridge carrier moves to the install position.
1 Access Cartridge
1
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Replace the print cartridge
3. Open the control panel and cartridge compartment cover (it will click and remain
open).
4. Push the cartridge down and remove it.
5. To load the cartridge insert the cartridge as shown below. When the cartridge is
pushed to the back of the cartridge carrier, push the top of the cartridge until it clicks
into place.
If the cartridge moves loosely in the carrier, it has not clicked into place. Repeat this
step.
1 Control panel
2 Cartridge compartment
cover
1
2
46 Care and maintenance
Clear jammed documents and paper
6. Close the cartridge compartment cover and control panel.
7. Press Start/Enter.
8. Press 1 for new cartridge, or 2 for the old one.
• When you put in a new cartridge, you must choose 1:New
• When you put in a used cartridge, choose 2:Used. This helps you to check the
correct amount of ink you have left.
TIP: If you mix up several used cartridges, it is not possible to check the correct amount
of remaining ink. Once you have put in a new cartridge, use it until it is completely
exhausted.

Simple problem that print head cleaning will typically not fix. The black ink is pigment based so it tends to form more stubborn clogs. Just remove the print head and if you have a steamer hit the black printhead nozzles with some pressured steam. If not available, soak the surface of the printhead in shallow hot water (try not to get the contact wet or be sure to dry them if you do). You can tell if the printhead nozzles are open by folding a section of wet paper towel like 5-10 layers and then soak it, press the printhead surface up and down lightly on the wet paper towel and if the nozzles are open you will see some ink pulse in the black port screen (the colors will also pulse from the pressure of the liquid under the printhead). It's easier than it sounds so give it a try. I've saved 100s of Canon printheads this way.

Note: if you have a really dried out head, you sometimes have to soak from the top inlet ports and the bottom nozzle surface to clear, but unlikely in you case since you had a black cartridge installed with ink in it (this keeps the top port from drying).

Try to insert a different known working black cartridge to identify if it's a faulty cartridge issue.

It could be that the color cartridge has gone bad now. Try to re-seat the color cartridge in the printer. And if that doesn't help, try to insert a different known working color cartridge to identify if it's a faulty cartridge issue.

There are very few things you can do, other than what you have aleady done.
I would recommend a decision on how much the unit cost and how long you have used the
printer vrs. what HP or a local authorized service center would charge to repair it.
If you have refilled ink cartridges, this is problem that can arise due to ink drying on the
print head as the black cartridge is use the most.

Try to reseat the cartridge into the printer. If that doesn't help, try to insert a different known working cartridge to determine if it's a faulty cartridge issue.
Note that Lexmark does not recommend the use of refilled / 3rd party / remanufactured cartridges. These type of cartridges tend to degrade print quality and cartridge performance.

Make sure you've removed the shipping tape from the cartridge's print head. More than likely the black cartridge is not disbursing ink - clean the print head carefully with "Q" tip and alcohol and see if black ink comes out slightly. Re-insert cartridge and try again. Perform "clean cartridge" in printer properties window.

The larger of the two black cartridges is used for text only printing.

The saller cartridge is used for black in graphic images or pictures.

This saves you color ink . It allows you to put the black ink on the image without making the color inks blend the black ink.

Don