GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR PRINT HEAD STYLE CARTRIDGES

General Troubleshooting Tips for Print Head Style Cartridges:

The use of re manufactured /refilled cartridges DOES NOT invalidate your printer warranty!

  

1. Turn off auto updates - If you have your printer set up to do automatic updates from the printer manufacturer, you need to turn that function "off" or to "manual" instead of automatic.
1. The reason this is important is because some manufacturers have been known to use this software upgrade as a tool to identify refilled cartridges in your printer and will render the cartridge(s) inoperable.

2. Streaky printing - Sometimes cartridges may need priming if the cartridge prints "streaky". Fold a paper towel up into a square approximately 2" X 2." Take the cartridge and firmly press the cartridge print head (silver rectangular area at the bottom of the cartridge) into the paper towel. Do not wipe just dab until you see ink on the paper towel.  For color cartridges dab the print head until you see all three colors.
3. Out of ink message – Some newer printers are able to detect refilled cartridges but have no way of knowing if they have ink in the cartridge, so the default is to warn you that the cartridge is empty. Please ignore "out of ink" messages and continue printing until you are truly out of ink. 

4. Cartridge error - Printer reports an error such as - flashing LEDs or gives a message such as "incorrect cartridge", "cartridge error" or "replace cartridge" - and will not print.
1. Any error message that prevents your printer from printing is typically caused by one of four things:
1. Make sure that any blue covered tape covering the copper part of the cartridge has been removed!
2. The printer is locked up and needs to be rebooted (similar to computers when they lock up).
1. Solution - With the power on, remove the cartridges from your printer, close the cover, turn the power off using the power button, and then unplug the printer from the power source.  Let the printer set for approximately five minutes and then follow the above steps in reverse order.
3. The printer’s electrical contacts that communicate with your cartridges may be dirty. Inspect and if dirty clean them with a Q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Also clean the contacts on the cartridge but do not touch either with you bare fingers.   
4. The cartridge is out of date or defective. 

Need more help - If you did not find an answer to your question or a solution to your problem then please see the brand name pages for see more detailed (brand specific) known issues, or call us at 360-882-4465 in Vancouver, or 503-231-7900 in Portland.