This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox 3.6.10 won't allow me to choose black cartridge only for printing an my HP Officejet 6500 (not wireless).

  • 3 cavab
  • 5 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by jkyarose

more options

Black cartridge only selector is not active.

Black cartridge only selector is not active.

Chosen solution

The problem is your printer:

I also have the OfficeJet 6500 and had the same problem. The black text was printing using a mix of colored inks instead of the black ink, resulting in a grey, fuzzy text. I finally found a solution. In each application under Page Setup, there is an option called "Format for". Mine had been set to "Any Printer". I changed that to "Officejet 6500 E709n [830E4A]" and now it prints the black just fine. I have a Mac running 10.4.11. Hope this helps.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (3)

more options

Have you tried File > Print > Properties (next to printer name) should open HP's options dialog; mine has a color tab that allows black only print. If I remember correctly, choosing this way, sets black only cartridge only for the current session; to change permanently, you need to change in the HP Director dialog.



You appear to have out-of-date plugins with know security issues.

  • Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.5.0
  • Shockwave Flash 10.1 r82
  1. Check your plugin versions: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
    • Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
  2. Update Shockwave for Director
  3. Update Shockwave Flash
more options

Seçilmiş Həll

The problem is your printer:

I also have the OfficeJet 6500 and had the same problem. The black text was printing using a mix of colored inks instead of the black ink, resulting in a grey, fuzzy text. I finally found a solution. In each application under Page Setup, there is an option called "Format for". Mine had been set to "Any Printer". I changed that to "Officejet 6500 E709n [830E4A]" and now it prints the black just fine. I have a Mac running 10.4.11. Hope this helps.

more options

Thanks for the help!