As the electronics in the ink cartridge and the printer communicate with each other, sometimes the printer will incorrectly indentify an ink cartridge as empty or non-functional. These "false" error messages can appear as PC screen messages, printer LCD display messages, or as blinking lights on the printer. Some of the errors are listed below. If you encounter these errors, try the recommended solutions that follow. If these solutions do not work, we recommend that you visit your printer manufacturer's website or talk with their technical support organization. If you think the refilled cartridge might be bad, take it back to your refiller and have them re-check the cartridge.
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
- Turn the printer on; open the printer to access the print cartridges.
- Remove the suspect cartridge(s) from the station.
- Re-install the cartridges in their stations.
- Close the printer.
- Turn off the printer for a few seconds and then turn it back on.
- Print a test page following your printer’s instructions.
- If this does not work, please proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Clean the contacts on the printer and the ink cartridge
- Turn on the printer; open the printer to access the print cartridges.
- Remove the suspect cartridge(s) from the station.
- Using a clean, dry lint-free cloth wipe the contacts on the print cartridge from top to bottom. The contacts inside the printer may also need to be cleaned. Please refer to your printer’s manual or the manufacturers’ website on how to clean the contacts.
- After cleaning the print cartridge and printer contacts, re-install the print cartridges and close the printer.
- Print a test pattern to determine if the problem has been fixed; if not proceed to step 3.
Step 3: Re-set the printer
- If the problem has not been fixed it may be useful to perform a "hard reset". This can correct an electronic flag setting inside the printer telling it that the print cartridge is problematic. Please refer to your printer’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website for the correct "hard reset" procedure for your printer. Often times it simply involves turning off your printer and unplugging it for at least 30 seconds.
- Print a test page to determine if the problem has been resolved.
- If the problem persists, you may need to purchase a new print cartridge.
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.
