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General Troubleshooting Tips

Bigstock_11240783Troubleshooting Print Head Printers

Cartridge Errors:

Cartridge errors that prevent your cartridge from printing such as “incorrect cartridge”, “cartridge error”, or “replace cartridge” accompanied flashing LEDs on the printer may be caused by one of the following:

  • Print head tape (blue tape) covering the print head and contacts hasn’t been removed.
  • Electronic failure.  In this case the cartridge will have to be replaced.
  • Dirty contacts.  Check for ink residue and clean with cotton swab, cue tip and distilled water or alcohol.
  • Printer needs rebooting.  Sometimes errors can become stuck in cache requiring a reboot.

Possible solutions include:

  • Make sure the tape has been removed (be careful to not touch copper contacts.  Remove tape from the bottom, pulling it up toward the contacts).
  • Try re-seating both cartridges.
  • Check the contacts for ink and clean if necessary
  • Reboot the printer.

Poor Print Quality:

Poor print quality is usually caused by clogged print head nozzles.  When cartridges are used infrequently or stored for long periods before being used ink residue dries in the nozzles and prevents clear, crisp printing.  Take the following steps to avoid/correct clogged print heads:

  • Press the print head against a damp paper towel.  This will wick ink out of the cartridge and may restart ink flow.
  • Use the print head cleaning utility on your printer.  You may have to run the cleaning cycle several times to get the desired results.
  • Print at least once a week to keep ink flowing through the cartridge nozzles.  If necessary print a test page.

Problems Related to Specific Printers:

HP

Some HP models using the 21/22, 27/28, or 56/57 may display the “check cartridge” or “replace cartridge” error when the color cartridge is replace.  A fix is to remove the black cartridge first and then the color cartridge.  Then re-install the cartridges in same order.

HP 

  • HP 21/22, HP 27/28, and HP 56/57 Cartridges – Several printer models using the listed cartridges may inte rmittently display this error “circuit error” when the color cartridge is replaced. Simply remove the black cartridge, then the color cartridge. Reinstall the black cartridge first, then reinstall the color cartridge. The error message should go away.

Canon 

When installing the Canon PG30, PG40 or PG50 cartridges the printer will prompt you to disable the ink monitor.  The following messages may display:

“The ink cartridge has been installed or replaced.  If the print out contains misaligned lines or is not satisfactory after installation or replacement refer to the user’s guide and carry out print head alignment.”

Click ok

“The following may have run out of color.  The function for detecting the remaining ink level will be be disabled since the ink level cannot be correctly detected.  If you want to continue printing without this function press the printer’s resume button for at least five seconds.”

Don’t click “cancel printing.”  Press and hold down the resume button until the flashing amber light goes.  This will disable the ink monitor.  It will not damage your printer.  The ink monitor will not work after being disabled.

Follow a similar process for the Canon PG210, CL211 series.

  • Canon series printers using the 210 and 211 series cartridges – Install cartridge and start printing. After first message appears, click OK to continue. Printer will start printing. If second message appears and LCD shows error code “E” do not click cancel. Press and hold down printer “Stop/Reset” button for at least 5 seconds or more. Printer should start printing.

NOTE:   This applies to all printers.   Never set your printer up for automatic updates.  Always disable this function or set it to manual.  It has been reported that some printer manufacturers use this function to install “kill switches” that prevent the use of refilled or remanufactured cartridges.  

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Phone: 704-889-1452
Fax: 704-889-1453
Website: https://inkstopusa.com
Email: jconaway@inkstopusa.com