Brother Printer Not Printing Black? Easy Fixes That Work (2026)

Introduction

Is your Brother printer printing colors but refusing to print black ink?

This is one of the most common Brother printer issues, especially with inkjet models.

You may notice:

• Missing black text
• Faded black printing
• Blank spaces where black should appear
• Documents printing in color only
• Incomplete pages

Fortunately, most black ink printing problems are caused by maintenance issues rather than hardware failure.

This guide explains why your Brother printer is not printing black and how to restore normal print quality.

If your printer has broader printing problems, see our Brother Printer Not Printing? 15 Proven Fixes That Actually Work guide.

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Printing Black?

Black ink problems usually occur when the printer cannot deliver black ink correctly.

Common causes include:

• Empty black cartridge
• Low black ink level
• Clogged printhead
• Blocked nozzles
• Cartridge recognition issues
• Air trapped in ink lines
• Incorrect print settings
• Poor cartridge installation

The good news is that most of these problems are easy to fix.

Fix 1: Check Black Ink Levels

Before performing any advanced troubleshooting, check the black cartridge.

A nearly empty cartridge may still appear installed but fail to produce usable output.

Check Using

• Printer display
• Brother printer software
• Brother Mobile Connect app

If the cartridge is low, replace it first.

This solves many black printing issues immediately.

Fix 2: Print a Nozzle Check Page

A nozzle check helps identify whether the printer can deliver black ink correctly.

Steps

1. Open Brother printer settings
2. Select Maintenance
3. Choose Nozzle Check
4. Print the test page

Results

• Missing black lines = nozzle blockage
• Broken patterns = printhead issue
• Complete black pattern = problem may be elsewhere

The nozzle check provides valuable diagnostic information.

Fix 3: Run Printhead Cleaning

A clogged printhead is one of the most common causes of missing black ink.

Dried ink can block tiny nozzles responsible for black printing.

Steps

1. Open Maintenance menu
2. Select Printhead Cleaning
3. Choose Black Ink
4. Run cleaning cycle
5. Print another nozzle check

Avoid running excessive cleaning cycles because they consume ink.

For detailed maintenance instructions, see:

Brother Printhead Cleaning Guide: Fix Clogs & Missing Ink
(Internal Link)

Fix 4: Verify Print Settings

Incorrect print settings sometimes prevent black ink from printing properly.

Check:

• Grayscale settings
• Draft mode
• Color management
• Print quality settings

Windows

1. Open Print Preferences
2. Select Normal or Best quality
3. Save changes

Incorrect settings may create unexpected output.

Fix 5: Remove and Reinstall the Black Cartridge

Poor cartridge installation can interrupt ink delivery.

Steps

1. Turn off printer
2. Open cartridge compartment
3. Remove black cartridge
4. Inspect cartridge
5. Reinstall firmly
6. Restart printer

Make sure the cartridge locks securely into place.

Fix 6: Check Cartridge Ventilation

Ink cartridges contain ventilation systems that allow ink to flow properly.

If vents become blocked:

• Ink flow slows
• Black printing disappears
• Print quality deteriorates

Inspect the cartridge carefully for packaging material or obstructions.

Fix 7: Replace the Black Cartridge

Sometimes the cartridge itself is defective.

Common signs include:

• New cartridge not printing
• Random black ink failures
• No improvement after cleaning

If possible, test with a new genuine Brother cartridge.

Defective cartridges are more common than many users realize.

Fix 8: Check for Air in the Ink System

After replacing cartridges, air can occasionally enter the ink delivery system.

Symptoms include:

• Missing black text
• Intermittent black printing
• Weak black output

Running a cleaning cycle often helps restore normal ink flow.

Fix 9: Update Brother Printer Drivers

Although uncommon, driver issues can affect print output.

Symptoms include:

• Black missing only from certain applications
• Printing inconsistencies
• Software-related output problems

Update the printer driver and test again.

For complete driver troubleshooting, see:

Brother Printer Driver Unavailable? Fix Driver Problems Fast
(Future Internal Link)

Fix 10: Check for Clogged Ink Lines

Older printers may develop ink flow restrictions.

Signs include:

• Repeated missing black output
• Cleaning cycles provide temporary improvement
• Black disappears after inactivity

This often indicates maintenance is needed.

Fix 11: Test Another Document

Sometimes the printer is not the problem.

The document itself may contain:

• Corrupted formatting
• Missing fonts
• Color settings issues

Try printing:

• A simple text document
• A PDF
• A test page

If black prints normally, the issue is document-related.

Fix 12: Check for Blank Page Symptoms

In some cases, missing black ink is part of a larger blank page problem.

If entire pages are printing blank, see:

Brother Printer Printing Blank Pages? 11 Fixes That Actually Work
(Internal Link)

This guide covers broader ink delivery issues.

When Missing Black Ink Becomes a Printhead Problem

If repeated cleaning cycles provide only temporary improvement, the printhead may require deeper maintenance.

Common signs include:

• Repeated nozzle failures
• Missing black after every cleaning
• Partial black output
• Streaking

Use:

Brother Printhead Cleaning Guide: Fix Clogs & Missing Ink
(Internal Link)

for advanced maintenance procedures.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

✅ check black ink level
✅ print nozzle check page
✅ run printhead cleaning
✅ verify print settings
✅ reinstall cartridge
✅ inspect cartridge vents
✅ replace cartridge if needed
✅ remove air from ink system
✅ update drivers
✅ test another document
✅ inspect printhead condition

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Brother printer not printing black but printing colors?

This usually indicates a black cartridge issue, clogged black nozzle, or printhead blockage.

Can a clogged printhead stop black ink from printing?

Yes. Printhead clogs are one of the most common causes of missing black ink.

Why is my black cartridge full but not printing?

The cartridge may be defective, improperly installed, blocked, or affected by a printhead issue.

Should I replace the black cartridge?

If cleaning and maintenance do not help, replacing the cartridge is often the next step.

Can driver issues cause missing black ink?

Rarely, but software problems can sometimes affect print output.

Final Thoughts

Brother printers that stop printing black ink are usually experiencing cartridge, printhead, or ink flow issues.

Most users successfully restore black printing by:

• checking ink levels
• cleaning the printhead
• replacing the cartridge
• running nozzle tests
• verifying print settings

Start with the simplest fixes first.

If black ink still does not print after troubleshooting, the printhead or ink delivery system may require deeper maintenance.

Following the steps above will solve the majority of Brother printer black ink problems and restore normal print quality.