Color printing I replaced both black and color cartridges, (OEM), on my printer now the printer prints only in black ink. Testing the printed test page I get color. Printing to an Excel spreadsheet I get everything in black.

Some Lexmark cartridges have an RF chip mounted underneath the label on top. Most of these are set to self destruct on first use to prevent refilling. You probably need to risk the cost of a new cartridge to find out if it is a cartridge problem or a printer problem. Unfortunately you should not take out a cartridge or replace one while the machine is powered. The system also frequently registers an serial number on the cartridge and stores it to prevent "hot swapping" cartridges

The HP F4480 likely has a malfunctioning ink cartridge which is causing the printer hang (i.e. internal micro-electronics damage inside the HP 60 color or black ink cartridge). You can verify the electrical condition of both HP 60 ink cartridges by activating the Tap 41 diagnostic test report (see video here for complete instructions):

http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=440 (HP 60 - Deskjet F2400/F4400/F4500 models)

1.While holding the Power button, press Cancel (X) button 4 times, then press the Color Copy button once.
2.Release the Power button.
3.The 'Tap 41' diagnostic test print should print.

Providing the color cartridge is partially functioning the Tap 41 diagnostic test print will be printed (this is a forced service print test which is mainly used for the evaluation of ink cartridge electrical health). A good HP 60/60XL color cartridge should display 1248 good nozzles, while a good HP 60/60XL black ink cartridge should show 336 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to 2nd video on how to read the printout.
http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=440 (HP 60 - Deskjet F2400/F4400/F4500 models)
http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=444 (HP 60 - Deskjet F4200 model)

If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used). You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink.

For additional support please visit http://www.inkjet411.com

-Thank you

You can validate the HP60 ink cartridge's electrical health by running the 'Tap 41' diagnostics test (this procedure is specific to the F2480 model). Refer to DIAGNOSTIC TAP 41 video procedure at the following link on how to activate and read the service test: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=440

1. While holding the Power button, press Cancel (X) button 4 times, then press the Color Copy button once.
2. Release the Power button.
3. The 'Tap 41' diagnostic test print should print.

--- Providing the color cartridge is partially functioning the Tap 41 diagnostic test print will be printed (this is a forced service print test which is mainly used for the evaluation of ink cartridge electrical health). A good HP 60/60XL color cartridge should display 1248 good nozzles, while a good HP 60/60XL black ink cartridge should show 336 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to video on how to read the printout. http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=434

---- If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used). You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink.

For information on North American ink refill services at a major retailer near you (should you wish to save ~50% on ink costs), general printing problem resolutions or advanced HP printer diagnosis procedures (advanced cartridge diagnostic tests/cartridge error bypass & printer reset methods, etc.), please visit Inkjet411: http://www.inkjet411.com

You can perform the Tap 41 Cartridge Health Diagnostics Test: [applies to HP Deskjet 6800/6900/9800]
http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1741 (refer to 2nd video to understand how to read the printed pattern)

1. With printer power on, press and hold the POWER button.
2. Press the Cancel (X) button four (4) times.
3. Press the RESUME button (Down Arrow) once.
4. Release the POWER button.
5. The Diagnostic Test Report should print.

--- A good HP 93/95/97/99 color cartridge should display 600 good nozzles, while a good HP 92/94/96/98 black ink cartridge should show 672 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to 2nd video on how to read the printout: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1741


---- If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used). You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink (special "ink back-up mode").

For information on North American ink refill services at a major retailer near you (should you wish to save ~50% on ink costs), general printing problem resolutions or advanced HP printer diagnosis procedures (advanced cartridge diagnostic tests/cartridge error bypass & printer reset methods, etc.), please visit Inkjet411: http://www.inkjet411.com

Sounds like a badly clogged nozzle. If you are using aftermarket/refilled cartridges, the changes are the ink is not up to manufacturer specs and has dried and clogged the nozzle. The best way to clear this is to take a new black ink OEM cartridge and run the deep cleaning a number of times (at least 3) to see if the nozzle can be cleared. If you continue to use non-OEM cartridges, I would keep a set of OEM cartridges around for nozzle clearing purposes. Also, take the aftermarket ink cartridges back to the vendor and either get an upgraded cartridge or refund.
Let me know if this corrects the problem. Thanks.

1. Take out the black cartridge once you've determined that you are completely out of black ink. You'll have to rely on the dark hues from the color cartridge to print in black.
2. Adjust the printer software settings. Once you take out the black cartridge, your printer's software will typically warn you that you are missing a cartridge. Follow the instructions for your printer to allow the printer to print without the black cartridge. Then set the printer to print in black and white, not color. This overrides the black cartridge and allows the printer to access the dark hues of the color cartridge.
3. Print a test page to ensure that your printer now prints black using the color cartridge.
4. Print your documents. Bear in mind that your documents may not appear as black as normal. Still, they should be dark enough to pass for black, depending on how much color ink you have and the strength grade of the ink.

There is no way to know for sure without testing it but I would say 95% of printers won't

I had removed and reinstalled the empty 3e cartridge. Sorry for the Confusion. I hadn't put a new 3e cartrige in until today. Them I ran " deep clean" twice. The printer works fine. I still don't understand why the printer wouldn't print color, when I was had set the printer to print in color when my 3e cartridge was empty and all colors including the 6 black showed full.

Cartridge Description
Zone 1
small black inkjet print cartridge
HP 94
small tri-color inkjet print cartridge
HP 95
large tri-color inkjet print cartridge
HP 97
photo inkjet print cartridge
HP 99

I just got off the HP help line.  After changing my black ink cartridge a test page was printing each time I turned the machine on.  This is very costly, in both time and ink as the cartridges themselves for this machine hold very little ink.  I tried to learn from HP tech how to turn off the test-print while keeping my color cartridge empty.  It turns out that you cant do it.  HP requires you to keep buying and using cartridges whether you need them or not.If you buy the color ink it will use it up in its testings.  And if you dont buy the color cartridge it will use up your black ink by printing the test each time you turn on the printer.  The printer was inexpensive sure, but I'm paying for it in wasted ink.