Dell C1660W Printing Gray Color Only

Hi

I have the EXACT problem as "noorali68"

I have a Dell C1660W printer which was working fine, I have not print more than 2300 pages,  and suddenly started  print Gray color instead of black.
I have done the following:

1. Uninstall Software and firmware and install newer one from Dell support.

2. Black Cartridge is a brand new installed on the printer.

3. Clean task as per recommendations

4. In test print, all colors are printing fine except the black one.

5. Reset to default setting before printing and making sure that Printing color is set to Auto or color.

I have done all "noorali68" troubleshooting steps and all steps described here:

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Please help us to resolve this as many users have the same problem.
It is really annoying to dump the printer and 2 sets of dell cartridges for this, that it looks to be a software issue.

Thanks

I had the same problem with my C1660W. I eventually found a solution using this post as inspiration:

https://www.dell.com/community/Printers/c1765-Black-cartridge-printing-light-gray/td-p/4630015/page/2

Go to Printers & Scanners -> then click your printer -> Manage -> Printer Properties -> Colour Management -> Colour Management -> Change the dropdown to your printer -> Check "Use my settings for this device" -> Select "Manual" from dropdown -> Add... -> Select Dell C1660w Color Printer p1.00 -> OK.

That fixed it for me!

FINALLY solved!  Found this solution elsewhere for a different Dell printer, but tried it and it WORKED!

"Well -- this seems to be a problem for many people.  I have also now run into this issue.

Below is not a fix -- but it does work --

I have found that you need to print a very large job -- like 100 or more pages.  In the middle of that large job, the printer will stop and do a re-set.  After he does the re-set, the page will come out black again.

I know this wastes about 75 or more pages of text -- however, since I it does not matter whether you are using the expensive or cheap cartridges -- it really does not matter to me.

So my recommendation -- buy the cheaper black cartridges (I have seen them as cheap as US$14.  When the gray starts -- setup a large full page of text -- 100 page print job.  Let it go.  The printer will stop somewhere around 50-75 pages -- will re-set itself -- and the pages will begin to be black again.

I have been able to re-create this at least a dozen times.  Still have only use 3 or 4 cartridges in the process.

Not the best solution -- but until Dell gives us update firmware or another fix -- this will work.

 (Don't forget -- it does not matter if you get the real expensive or cheap cartridge -- it happens with both!)

SIgn me -- A printing fool in Las Vegas. "

I'm having the same issue and can not find a solution, every other color will print fine but the black ink wont print at anything more than 50% oppacity

Noor,

For your Dell C1660W printer printing gray instead of black, you've taken several correct steps:

1. Installed new software/firmware from Dell support.
2. Installed a new black cartridge.
3. Cleaned the print head as recommended.
4. Colors print fine except for black.
5. Reset to default settings and checked color settings.

Additional steps to try:

1. Run a deeper print head cleaning cycle.
2. Check for any software updates.
3. Ensure the black cartridge is properly seated.
4. Try printing a pure black image.
5. Contact Dell support for further assistance.