Same problem here with a black ink cartridge !

nO IT WILL REJECT THAT AND NOT PRINT.

It won't recognise the black cartridge in the printer and may even throw an error code. Use the black and white option setting for printing.

does this Canon mx479 printer have a self clean

or maintenance menu
user manual link
https://www.manualowl.com/p/Canon/PIXMA-MX479/Manual/218086


something wrong with the black printer cartridge

PG-240XXL XXL Black Ink Cartridge
PG-240XL XL Black Ink Cartridge
PG-240 Black Ink Cartridge
CL-241XL XL Color Ink Cartridge
CL-241 Color Ink Cartridge

The following cartridges are compatible with Canon MP160:

Canon PG 40 Black Ink Cartridge Black Ink Cartridge

Canon PG 50 High Capacity Black Ink Cartridge
Black FINE Cartridge, High Capacity

Canon CL 41 Tri Color Ink Cartridge
1 Cartridge of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow

Canon CL 51 High Capacity Color Ink Cartridge
Color FINE Cartridge, High Capacity

No!

The large cartridge is used for text only printing.
The smaller black cartridge is used for black in images such as pictures.

You have a "C (cyan) M (magenta) Y (yellow) and B (black) color system. This actually saves the color inks for you. If the Black was not there, you would need to make a composite black from the color inks.

Don

Canon PIXMA MX850 Multi Function Printer Printer Canon MX850 will not print from... Answer Canon MX850 will not print from small Black Ink Cartridge - 8BK. It only uses the large black ink... (More) Canon MX850 will not print from small Black Ink Cartridge - 8BK. It only uses the large black ink cartridge and I have a drawer full of small 8BK cartridges. How can I get it to use the small black cartridge and not the large black cartridge? Thanks

Try wiping the copper contacts on the new cartridge with a dustfree cloth dampened with some alcohol. Dry thoroughly before reinstalling.

The PGBK cartridge is a pigment black ink, while the others use a dye for coloration. The pigment black is used when printing text and other documents. The dye ink is used when printing photos and other colored documents. The dye black is used in conjunction with the color (dye) inks to provide tinting and color gradation, and therefore is not used nearly as much as the pigment black unless you use your printer only for printing photos.

If you're printing text and documents, you will need to buy another pigment black (PGBK) cartridge.

Hmmm....that sounds to be an issue with the ink cartridges...

You might be using ink cartridges purchased other than Dell or Staples...since these are the two who sell Dell Ink.

If thats not true, then take out both the cartridges in the printer.

Lets isolate the issue

1. Try only Black cartridge on Color slot(right). If you get Install both ink cartridges error, then its an issue with the Black ink cartridges and if you get message that install Black ink cartridge then its an issue with the prrinter.

2. Now install only color cartridge on Black cartridges slot(left), If you get color cartridge missing then its an issue with the Black cartridges which you are using and if you get install both ink cartridges then its an issue with the black slot on printer.

3. If issue found to be with Black ink cartridge then wipe the Nozzles(bottom) of the ink cartridge with lint free cotton cloth from back to front 5-6 times.

4. Also try replacing the ink cartridges purchased only from Dell or from Staples. Purchased from somewhere else or refilled might not work.

5. If issue found to be with printer, then i would suggest you to purchase new printer then.

Hope this fix the issue

This machine is not meant to switch between the two black cartridges. The large one is used when you are using black only, and the small one is used when you are printing in color.