NOTE: “Empty” and “Low Ink” alerts are COMPLETELY NORMAL for HP 15  ink cartridges which have been refilled! While at first this may be an unusual workflow, it does allow print operations to proceed.   However, it is possible to reset the ink level monitor – refer to menu selections above for reset instructions.

 

 

3 Types of Alert Messages

– Information Alerts.  When a refilled ink cartridge is installed it is normal to receive alerts such as ‘non-genuine cartridge’ or ‘used color/black cartridge’. These may be bypassed by selecting ‘Dismiss’, ‘Ok’, or ‘Continue’.

– Nuisance Messages. After a refilled ink cartridge is detected it is normal to receive alerts such as ‘low on ink’, ‘counterfeit’, ‘used’, ‘refilled’, or ‘depleted’ cartridge. These may be bypassed by selecting ‘Dismiss’, ‘Ok’, or ‘Continue’.

– Severe Errors. When an ink cartridge has poor connectivity (between contacts and flex cable inside printer) or is suffering from marginal internal micro-electrical performance, you may observe error messages such as ‘incompatible cartridges’, ‘print cartridges error’, ‘cartridge missing or not detected’, ‘refer to documentation’, ‘cartridge in left/right slot is missing’, etc. In addition, the power light or exclamation light (Officejet models) may be blinking while the error message is displayed. In some cases, errors can be cleared by removing and cleaning the ink cartridges and printer flex cable contacts. If not, then it is suggested to run the ‘cartridge health Tap 41 diagnostics’ check or perform a cartridge error bypass (available on select printer models) to confirm that the ink cartridge is damaged.

– Cartridge Electrical Failures. Severe cartridge errors are primarily caused by an electrical breakdown at the cartridge’s nozzle plate. Ink penetration or corrosion into the nozzle plate will cause a failure of the tiny micro-electronics resulting in a variety of different error messages being displayed.

– Cartridge Diagnostics. The cartridge’s electrical health can be verified by running the ‘Tap 41′ diagnostics or printer’s self test print at the printer’s control panel (NOTE: may not be available on all printer models).

 

 

PRINTER TESTS / DIAGNOSTICS:

1. Clean cartridge/printer electrical contacts. Also inspect printer’s internal carriage flex cables for surface damage (i.e. burn marks) or an uneven contact surface (by which the cartridge’s rear electrical contacts mates with). https://www.inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519

2. Perform either of the ‘B’ procedures below as steps vary by printer model:

 

B.1. HP Deskjet 800 series printers (HP 15, 23 ink cartridges)

Running a self-test:

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the POWER button.
3. Press the RESUME button four times.
4. Release the POWER button.

NOTE: There are no internal clean or diagnostic tests for the HP Deskjet 820cse and 820cxi printers.

 

B.2. HP Deskjet 810c, 840c, 841, 842, 843, 845, 845c (HP 15, 17 ink cartridges) &  HP Deskjet 825c (HP 15, 23 ink cartridges) & HP Deskjet 830c, 880, 880c, and 895c series printers (HP 23, 45 ink cartridges):

Running a sample page:

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the RESUME button until the printer starts printing.
3. Release the RESUME button.

Running a diagnostic test:

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the POWER button.
3. Press the RESUME button four times.
4. Release the POWER button.

NOTE: There is no internal clean test for the HP Deskjet 810c, 830c, 880c, and 895c series printers.

 

B.3. HP Deskjet 900c, 916c, 920c, 940, 940c series printers (HP 15, 78 ink cartridges) & HP Deskjet 930c, 950c, 952, 960c, 970c, 980c, 990c   (HP 45, 78 ink cartridges):

Running a sample page:

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the RESUME button until the printer starts printing.
3. Release the RESUME button.

Running a self-test:

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the POWER button.
3. Press the RESUME button four times.
4. Release the POWER button.

Running a diagnostic test:

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the POWER button.
3. Press the X (Cancel) button eight times.
4. Press the RESUME button four times.
5. Release the POWER button.

Print a HP Self-Test Report (older HP printer models) – click here for instructions & sample prints: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bpu00734

 

*Many cartridges eventually do encounter problems or failures, especially after their original ink is gone and they are re-used, and this is often unrelated to the refill process. The “Wrong Cartridge Type/Installed” / “Print cartridge is not compatible with this device” / “Cartridge Error” / “Print Cartridge Error” / ‘blinking lights” alert/error message is typically indicative of failed micro-electronics internal to the ink cartridge(s). Also note that it is common to have a marginally performing ink cartridge (which was performing ok before) in the adjacent slot (i.e. color), then when a marginally performing cartridge is installed into the other slot (i.e. black), both of the ink cartridge(s) then get flagged with electrical errors.

Please note that an electrical failure is quite rare with an ink cartridge that that has only been refilled once or twice. Severe cartridge errors are primarily caused by an electrical breakdown at the cartridge’s nozzle plate. Ink penetration or corrosion into the nozzle plate will cause a failure of the tiny micro-electronics resulting in a variety of different error messages being displayed – see bottom image at this page: https://www.inkjet411.com/?page_id=1216

 

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Common Error Messages

• Blinking cartridge lights on the printer
• A message that says “Check black/color cartridge” on your monitor or on the printer display
• A similar message that says “Remove and check the black/color cartridge”
• A printer window or toolbox appears that shows a message that a “Cartridge is not seated properly”
• “Replace your black/color cartridge” message
• “The cartridge has failed” message

 

Recommended Solutions

The contact between the ink cartridge and the printer must be clean for proper functioning.  If any dirt, ink or paper dust is on the contacts, the printer may indicate that the ink cartridge is bad.  To ensure a clean contact, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Remove and re-install the cartridge

Step 2: Clean the contacts on the printer and the ink cartridge

Ink Cartridge & Service Station Cleaning

 

 

Advanced Diagnostics

To view advanced diagnostics tests specific to your HP 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 integrated 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.

 

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CAUTION: Be advised, the use of compatible/clone cartridges (i.e. knockoffs sold thru the internet from overseas) are known to be problematic and may cause printer errors. We do NOT suggest refilling these types of ink cartridges…..refilling of original/genuine ink cartridges is only suggested!