It’s true. You can fool your printer and reclaim your ability to print black and white without wasting money on color ink that you won’t really use! I love my Brother Printer but, it makes me SO mad when my printer refuses to print grayscale because one of my color cartridges is low. Why the heck did I buy a printer with separate cartridges in the first place? Luckily it is possible trick the printer into thinking the color cartridges are full and force it to print grayscale.
This trick is SO easy I cannot believe I didn’t figure it out sooner.
How to Bypass Color Ink Cartridges to Print Grayscale
- Duck Tape or Electrical Tape
- Old Ink Cartridge
Cut a small piece of tape and place it over the window on an empty ink cartridge. Yup it’s that easy!!!
For my printer even if I only print grayscale some how my color ink cartridges drain. It’s SO frustrating. Thankfully if you mostly print black and white you can use this trick so that you’re not just throwing money away on color ink.
Pretty neat right? Spread the word share this with your friends so they won’t be wasting their money either!
Let’s connect! You can also find me hanging out here.
Tatanisha says
These are great tips, thank you for sharing. I found your post while stumbling.
marissa says
Oh cool I love hearing how people find me!
Emily says
so cool!! I wonder if this would work on other kinds of ink cartridges? I have an HP and will have to play around with this!!
Elle Salazar says
How resourceful! Trying this so that I can save colored ink for more important documents that are needed in color. Thank you for this informative post Marissa!
Shari Spoden says
You are awesome! You just saved me lots of money. I felt tricked by Brother when I realized that I couldn’t print without the colors. I don’t use them. Thank you–Thank you
marissa says
That’s totally how I felt too! Glad I could help :)
CS says
You are a life saver – God bless you!
marissa says
awwww I’m glad it was helpful
Vivienne says
You saved my bacon! Thanks a million
KC says
even easier, use a black sharpie to cover the clear area, works like magic!
marissa says
oh cool I’ll have to try that!
LEAH WOOLINGTON says
Yipeee! It worked! So happy I didn’t have to run out to the store to buy a yellow cartridge just to print one piece of paper.
marissa says
yes! glad to help
Nicola Goodwin says
Darn, that great trick didn’t work for my Brother MFC-J690DW printer. Totally different looking cartridges. They still have a wee window but on the top not the side like yours. I tried to tape over it just the same, but the printer knew that something was off with the cartridge. Very disappointed in this obvous money grab from Brother.
marissa says
oh bummer. I had someone tell me they use a sharpie and it works for them I wonder if just some light got in