A Windows Update for printer drivers can/would do something like this. The only way I know o get everything back is to...
Disconnect the printer. Download and run the patch(printer cleanup utility) until it prompts you to restart your computer. Restart your computer, then install the proper drivers. You will get a prompt, the printer is not connected. Connect the printer at this time(powered on) More instructions and the download for the patch can be found at...
You shoud then be able to get into the printer preferences, again. Just remember if the color cartridge does dry out and the sensor fails, you can eventually get an error message from it.
I recently encountered the same issue as "cavandre" above, with my Dell AIO 924 Printer. I've never had an issue with the printer until recently. I only print in black & white, and don't even currently have a color cartridge. I don't recall doing anything to the settings, but suddenly the box to check "Print in black & white" is grayed out and I cannot check it within the printing preferences.
I followed all the steps suggested by "PudgyOne" above - I have the latest version of Java, I ran the patch to remove the Dell AIO 924 driver, and then I re-installed the driver - but my issue has not been solved. I still cannot print in black and white only.
Does anybody have any other suggestions for what I can do to fix this?
Unplug the printer from the wall. Now remove the power brick from the back of the printer for 60 seconds. Plug everything back in. This will reset any error messages the printer has.
Power on the printer. Open the printer and take out the Dell Series 5 Black cartridge. make sure all the tape is off the cartridge and put the cartridge back in. Now do the same for the Dell Series 5 color cartridge.
Close the printer. It should print an alignment page. Any error messages?
Black cartridge = black side(left side) color cartridge = color side(right side)
Photo cartridge = black side(left side) color cartridge = color side(right side)
Dell Series 5 ink cartridges can be purchased at Staples, Walmart or Dell's Website.
If these ink cartridges are new, then take them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacements. If they're old, then try purchasing a new Dell Series 5 ink cartridge.
Hmm, this seems strange because I've been using the printer for about 2 years without the color cartridge. And only last week did the "Print in black and white" box become greyed out. I just don't understand why, because I did not mess with any settings. It just stopped allowing me to select that box last week, without me doing anything.
Yes, I am using a Dell Series 5 ink cartridge. I went through the steps you listed above. However, I do not currently have a color cartridge, so I still have an error message about that. I only print in black & white so I did not replace the color cartridge when it ran out quite some time ago. And I had been using the printer just fine that way. It does not seem to be anything with the cartridges themselves, it's within the drivers or the software, as I can no longer select the box, "Print in black and white." If I print a document that is only black to begin with this is fine, but if it's a color document I want it to convert it to grayscale / black and white and print that way. I like to keep "Print in black and white" selected at all times within the preferences, but that box is grayed out and I cannot select it.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
March 16th, 2010 09:00
cavandre,
A Windows Update for printer drivers can/would do something like this. The only way I know o get everything back is to...
Disconnect the printer. Download and run the patch(printer cleanup utility) until it prompts you to restart your computer. Restart your computer, then install the proper drivers. You will get a prompt, the printer is not connected. Connect the printer at this time(powered on) More instructions and the download for the patch can be found at...
924 Photo All-In-One Printer owners thread (W7)
You shoud then be able to get into the printer preferences, again. Just remember if the color cartridge does dry out and the sensor fails, you can eventually get an error message from it.
Rick
GGoz5
3 Posts
0
June 4th, 2011 08:00
I recently encountered the same issue as "cavandre" above, with my Dell AIO 924 Printer. I've never had an issue with the printer until recently. I only print in black & white, and don't even currently have a color cartridge. I don't recall doing anything to the settings, but suddenly the box to check "Print in black & white" is grayed out and I cannot check it within the printing preferences.
I followed all the steps suggested by "PudgyOne" above - I have the latest version of Java, I ran the patch to remove the Dell AIO 924 driver, and then I re-installed the driver - but my issue has not been solved. I still cannot print in black and white only.
Does anybody have any other suggestions for what I can do to fix this?
THANKS!
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
June 5th, 2011 15:00
GGoz5,
Are you using Dell Series 5 ink cartridges?
Unplug the printer from the wall. Now remove the power brick from the back of the printer for 60 seconds. Plug everything back in. This will reset any error messages the printer has.
Power on the printer. Open the printer and take out the Dell Series 5 Black cartridge. make sure all the tape is off the cartridge and put the cartridge back in. Now do the same for the Dell Series 5 color cartridge.
Close the printer. It should print an alignment page. Any error messages?
Black cartridge = black side(left side) color cartridge = color side(right side)
Photo cartridge = black side(left side) color cartridge = color side(right side)
Dell Series 5 ink cartridges have a sensor in them that cannot be reset. Article on refilling Dell ink cartridges.
Dell Series 5 ink cartridges can be purchased at Staples, Walmart or Dell's Website.
If these ink cartridges are new, then take them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacements. If they're old, then try purchasing a new Dell Series 5 ink cartridge.
Rick
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
June 6th, 2011 13:00
GGoz5,
If memory serves me correctly, it will remain greyed out until you have cartridges that are both working.
Rick
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
June 6th, 2011 13:00
GGoz5,
The sensor in the cartridge probably finally failed.
Is the complete-a-print boxes checked?
Start, control panel, printers, your printer, printer preferences, advanced, more options.
Rick
GGoz5
3 Posts
0
June 6th, 2011 13:00
Hmm, this seems strange because I've been using the printer for about 2 years without the color cartridge. And only last week did the "Print in black and white" box become greyed out. I just don't understand why, because I did not mess with any settings. It just stopped allowing me to select that box last week, without me doing anything.
GGoz5
3 Posts
0
June 6th, 2011 13:00
PudgyOne,
Yes, I am using a Dell Series 5 ink cartridge. I went through the steps you listed above. However, I do not currently have a color cartridge, so I still have an error message about that. I only print in black & white so I did not replace the color cartridge when it ran out quite some time ago. And I had been using the printer just fine that way. It does not seem to be anything with the cartridges themselves, it's within the drivers or the software, as I can no longer select the box, "Print in black and white." If I print a document that is only black to begin with this is fine, but if it's a color document I want it to convert it to grayscale / black and white and print that way. I like to keep "Print in black and white" selected at all times within the preferences, but that box is grayed out and I cannot select it.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
kestrelblue
1 Message
0
January 4th, 2014 09:00
go to control panel, printer, default settings and select it there.