Why Won’t My Canon Printer Print with One Black Ink Empty?

If your Canon printer has one black ink cartridge empty but the XL black cartridge is still full, you may wonder why it will not print. This can happen because some Canon printers are designed to use both black cartridges for different types of printing. When one cartridge reaches empty, the printer may stop printing or display an ink-related warning, even if another black cartridge still has plenty of ink.

The standard black and XL black cartridges are not always interchangeable simply because they contain the same colour. Depending on your Canon printer model, each cartridge can have a different role in the printing process. The printer may also check whether the required cartridge is installed, recognised and has enough ink before allowing a print job.

Other issues can cause the same problem, including an incorrectly installed cartridge, blocked printhead nozzles or a cartridge that the printer does not recognise. If your Canon printer won’t print with black ink empty, checking the cartridge numbers and printer requirements first can help you determine whether you need to replace the empty cartridge or troubleshoot another issue.

If your printer is also having general black-ink issues, our guide on fixing a Canon printer not printing black may help. 

Check Which Black Ink Cartridge Your Canon Printer Uses

Before replacing the empty cartridge, check the cartridge numbers listed for your Canon printer model. Standard black and XL cartridges can look similar but may have different capacities or compatibility requirements. Using the wrong cartridge can cause the printer to show an error or fail to recognise the ink.

Check the Cartridge Numbers

Open the printer's cartridge compartment and check the number printed on the cartridge or its packaging. Compare it with the cartridge information listed for your specific Canon printer. If the standard black cartridge is empty, having a full XL cartridge does not necessarily mean the printer can use it as a replacement.

Make Sure the XL Cartridge Is Recognised

If your Canon printer XL black ink is not printing, check whether the printer actually recognises the cartridge. Look at the printer display or Canon printing software for an ink or cartridge error. Remove the cartridge, check that there is no protective tape left on it, and reinstall it firmly.

Once the cartridges are correctly installed and recognised, try printing a test page. If the printer still refuses to print, the problem may be related to the empty cartridge, printhead or ink settings rather than the amount of ink remaining in the XL cartridge.

Fix Canon Printer Not Printing Black

If your Canon printer is not printing black even though the XL cartridge has plenty of ink, start with the basic checks before replacing anything. A cartridge can contain ink but still fail to print if the printhead nozzles are blocked or the printer is not detecting the cartridge correctly.

If the printer is connected wirelessly, also check our guide on connecting Canon printers via Wi-Fi for connection-related issues. 

Check the Ink Levels

Open your Canon printer software or use the printer's display to check the reported ink levels. If the empty black cartridge is still showing as empty, the printer may require that cartridge to be replaced before printing can continue.

Remove and Reinstall the Black Cartridge

Turn off the printer and carefully remove the black cartridge. Check the cartridge and contacts for any visible dirt or damage, then reinstall it firmly in the correct slot. Make sure it clicks into place before closing the cover and turning the printer back on.

Clean the Printhead

If the cartridge is recognised but your Canon printer is not printing black properly, blocked nozzles may be preventing ink from reaching the paper. Use the printer's built-in Printhead Cleaning or Nozzle Check function. After cleaning, print a test page to see whether the black ink is coming through correctly.

Avoid running deep cleaning repeatedly, as it can use a significant amount of ink. If normal cleaning does not improve the print quality, the issue may be with the cartridge or printhead itself.

Can a Canon Printer Print with One Cartridge Empty?

Whether a Canon printer can continue printing with one cartridge empty depends on the specific printer model and how its ink system is designed. Some models may allow limited printing when a cartridge is low, while others can stop printing when an individual cartridge reaches empty. This means a full XL black cartridge does not always override an empty standard black cartridge.

Why the Empty Cartridge Can Stop Printing

Canon printers can use different black cartridges for different printing functions. One may be used mainly for text, while another can be involved in photo or colour printing. If the printer detects that a required cartridge is empty, it may prevent printing to protect the printhead or maintain print quality.

Should You Replace the Empty Cartridge?

If your printer continues showing an empty black cartridge warning, replacing that cartridge is usually the simplest solution. Make sure you purchase a cartridge that is compatible with your exact Canon printer model rather than choosing one based only on its colour or size.

After installing the replacement, allow the printer to recognise the cartridge and check the reported ink level. Then run a nozzle check or print a test page. If the printer still does not print, the issue may be related to cartridge recognition, printhead blockage or another printer setting rather than the empty cartridge itself.

What to Do If Your Canon Printer Still Won’t Print

If your Canon printer still will not print after checking the cartridges and cleaning the printhead, the problem may be related to cartridge recognition, printer settings or the printhead itself. Start by restarting the printer and checking whether any error message appears on the display or in the Canon printer software.

Check Cartridge Compatibility

Make sure every installed cartridge matches your exact printer model. A cartridge that looks correct may still be incompatible with your printer. If the standard black cartridge is empty, replacing it with the correct compatible cartridge may be necessary even when the XL black cartridge is full.

Try a Test Print

Run a Nozzle Check or test print from the printer's maintenance settings. If black ink still does not appear, repeat the normal printhead cleaning once and test again. If there is still no improvement, the cartridge or printhead may need further inspection.

If you print from your phone, see our guide on connecting a Canon printer to a mobile phone via Bluetooth. 

Get Professional Printer Support

If you have checked the cartridges, restarted the printer and cleaned the printhead but the issue continues, professional support can help identify the cause. This is especially useful when the printer shows repeated cartridge errors or refuses to print despite having sufficient ink.

In most cases, checking cartridge compatibility and replacing the empty cartridge is a good starting point. If your Canon printer won’t print with black ink empty even after these checks, further troubleshooting may be needed to get it working normally again.

Conclusion

If your Canon printer will not print because one black cartridge is empty while the XL black cartridge is full, the printer may still require the empty cartridge to be replaced. Check the cartridge compatibility, make sure the XL cartridge is recognised, and run a nozzle check or printhead cleaning if necessary. If the problem continues after these checks, professional printer support can help identify whether the issue is with the cartridge, printhead or printer settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a Canon printer print with one black cartridge empty?

It depends on the Canon printer model. Some printers may continue with limited functions, while others require the empty cartridge to be replaced before printing.

2. Why won't my Canon printer print black when the XL cartridge is full?

The printer may require another black cartridge that is empty, or the XL cartridge may not be recognised correctly. Cartridge compatibility and printer settings should be checked first.

3. Can I use an XL black cartridge instead of a standard cartridge?

Only if the XL cartridge is listed as compatible with your specific Canon printer model. Check the supported cartridge numbers before installing it.

4. Why is my Canon printer not recognising the black cartridge?

The cartridge may be incorrectly installed, incompatible, damaged or have dirty contacts. Remove and reinstall it carefully and check for any cartridge error message.

5. How do I fix a Canon printer not printing black?

Check the ink levels, reinstall the cartridge and run a nozzle check or printhead cleaning. If black ink still does not print, the cartridge or printhead may need further inspection.