NOTE: “Empty” and “Low Ink” alerts are COMPLETELY NORMAL for all HP 74 and HP 75 (HP 74XL, HP 75XL) ink cartridges which have been refilled!  While at first this may be an unusual workflow, it does allow print operations to proceed.

Many of the HP 74/75 ink cartridge alert and error messages you may encounter using refilled ink cartridges can typically be overcome using the steps provided below.  However, in some cases a marginally performing cartridge might be considered faulty by the printer. In this event, printer error bypass and HP diagnostic test procedures have been provided to help you correct and/or diagnose the cause of failure.

Support Documentation: HP 74-75 Problem Resolution (pdf)

 

HP 74/75 (74XL/75XL) Cartridges – Solving Errors & Warnings: 

Cartridge Health Diagnostics Test:

1. Load Letter/A4-size paper into paper feed tray.
2. Press and HOLD the Cancel button, press Ok button once.
3. At ‘Mfg Commands’ menu, click Right Arrow until ‘uiaux service’ menu is displayed.
4. At ‘uiaux service’ menu, click the Right Arrow until Special Reports menu is displayed.
5. Select Ok, then click Right Arrow until the ‘print-mech button tap’ menu is displayed.
6. Select Ok (Code = 0 will be displayed); click and hold Right Arrow until code = 41’ is displayed.
7. Select Ok. The test pattern will print.

A good HP 75/75XL color cartridge should display 600 good nozzles, while a good HP 74/74XL black ink cartridge should show 672 good nozzles. Refer to video on how to read the test print.

 

 

Advanced Diagnostics

To view advanced diagnostics tests for your printer, click here:

HP Printer Diagnostics

 

 

Poor Print Quality or Missing Colors:

If any streaks or missing colors appear on prints, thoroughly clean the cartridge’s electrical contacts and printer’s flex driver cable surface. If the cartridge is clogged then a warm water flush may be necessary to recover all colors. Click here for instructions.

Ink Cartridge & Service Station Cleaning

 

NOTE 1: Replacing the ink cartridge is the best way to verify cartridge/printer performance.

NOTE 2: All cartridges being repeatedly refilled eventually do fail.  Some cartridges/printers may encounter an unavoidable mechanical or electrical failure which is unrelated to refilling.  Check for physical damage on the cartridge.  Look at the print cartridge and see if there are any cracks, tears or missing elements.  Any one of these can cause a failure.  In these cases, you will need to purchase a new cartridge and start the refill process again after it has run out.