I have a X3350 Lexmark printer. I do not require color printing at any time. How can I print black only using one black cartridge only. The color cartridge is never used.

The Lexmark X2600 requires both cartridges to have ink in them to continue printing, even if your printing in "black and white". To print true black, you actually use some of the color ink. , Leaving the color cartridge empty or dry isn't good for the printer. It can lead to poor print quality issues.

Try to reseat the cartridges into the printer. If problem continues, then maybe the cartridge nozzles need cleaning. Follow the simple steps below on how to clean the cartridge nozzles on the Lexmark X3350:

1. Go to Start, Programs (Windows XP: All Programs) > Lexmark 3300 Series > Lexmark Solution Center.
2. Click the Maintenance tab.
3. Click Clean to fix horizontal streaks.
4. Click Print. A cleaning page prints, forcing ink through the clogged nozzles to clean them.
5. Print the document again to verify that the print quality has improved.

Source: How to Clean the Print Cartridge Nozzles on the Lexmark X3350

Didnt I just answer this question?

Your printer doesn't know what you are printing ... the color is empty ... so the printer is preventing what it thinks is an error ... because, as I said, it doesn't know what is coming. Replace the color cartridge andthings will be fine.

hello there
here is the lexmark ink cartridges #31 for color and #32 for black #31 Photo Color Print Cartridge (18C0031) $ 34.99 QTY #32 Black Print Cartridge (18C0032) $ 24.99 QTY Twin Pack #32 Black Print Cartridge (18C0533) $ 47.99 QTY #33 Color Print Cartridge (18C0033) $ 26.99 QTY Twin Pack #33 Color Print Cartridge (18C0534)

This happens from time to time. I have bought new 22 & 23 cartridges for my Lex. x3350 before with "flawed" contacts. Either return it for refund or buy a new one. Thw next working one you get, try re filling it. I get mine refilled at Walgreens. Cost for me in Texas is $10 for black and 15 for color. I refill them 4 times before I replace with new. Saved me a ton of money.

Sounds like the "encoder strip" may be missing or broken. There is a little strip of plastic that runs along the length of the printer between the pulleys that move the printhead. It has lots of tiny little vertical lines on it. If this is missing, the print head does not know where it is on the page and slides wildly back and forth.
You might be able to reattach it if it is not broken.
If not, go buy an X3550 - it is a newer model that can use the same cartridges as the X3350.

Hi,
I'm sorry you are having problems with your Lexmark printer.

Please ensure you are using the correct cartridge.

X3350:
Black 32
Color 33

X5470
Black:28
Color: 29

If you are using the correct cartridge for your machine you can try to do the following:

Cleaning the print nozzles: (X5470)
1 Load plain paper.
2 Press Copy Mode.
3 Press .
4 Press or repeatedly until Tools appears.
5 Press .
6 Press or repeatedly until Maintenance appears.
7 Press .
8 Press or repeatedly until Clean Cartridges appears.
9 Press .
A page prints, forcing ink through the print cartridge nozzles to clean them.
10 Print the document again to verify that the print quality has improved.
11 If print quality has not improved, try cleaning the nozzles up to two more times.
Wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts:
1 Remove the print cartridges.
2 Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with water.
3 Gently hold the cloth against the nozzles for about three seconds, and then wipe in the direction shown.
4 Using another clean section of the cloth, gently hold the cloth against the contacts for about three seconds, and
then wipe in the direction shown.
5 With another clean section of the cloth, repeat step 3 and step 4.
6 Let the nozzles and contacts dry completely.
7 Reinsert the print cartridges.
8 Print the document again.
9 If the print quality does not improve, clean the print nozzles. For more information, see “Cleaning the print
cartridge nozzles” on page 92.
10 Repeat step 9 up to two more times.
11 If print quality is still not satisfactory, replace the print cartridges.
If you are still getting the incorrect cartridge message it would be best to return the cartridge and exchange it for a new one.
Thanks
Catherine

hmmm...paperman..that's unusual to say the least..

if you look at the options in the printer there should be an option to use the color cartridge to print black. How does this work? Well what the printer will do is mix all three colors to make a light black. This will eat up your color cartridge faster but is useful when you are out of black ink and you need to print

i just fixed this problem.  first i bought a new (remanufactured 3rd party) cartridge off ebay and found it wasn't working either.

there are cartridge cleaning instructions in the troubleshooting help section that show you how to carefully wipe clean your cartridges.  follow that, it solved my problem.