Newly-made compatible cartridges may look slightly different to the original cartridges. This is due to the patenting of the original products. Even though they may look slightly different they are designed to fit.
Firmware/software updates can tell the printer how to communicate, how to move motors, fire nozzles and most important of all, how to recognise original versus compatible (non-original) cartridge chips.
By using compatible or remanufactured cartridges you are cutting into the manufacturer’s primary source of profit. Because of this, they update the firmware which may interfere with the printer operations if using compatible or remanufactured cartridges. Firmware on the printer can then produce the message regarding low or zero ink levels if the machine detects a cartridge that is not a manufacturer's original cartridge. It can on occasion prevent the printer from accepting the cartridges completely.
However, before we write off the use of compatible ink cartridges please try the following trouble shooting.
- Remove the cartridges from your machine with the printer on. If you are required to follow prompts on screen to change a cartridge make sure you do follow them, otherwise you should be able to simply lift the lid or press a specific button to get your carriage to slide across. NEVER pull the carriage across to change a cartridge as your printer will not realise anything has changed. All you will do is cause damage to your printer.
- Turn your printer off from the mains (remove the plug from the wall) and wait for a minute or so. Doing this will give your printer a chance to clear the error it had and power down correctly. It may also be worth ensuring that your printer is communicating this to your computer and that the error on the screen has cleared.
- Turn your printer back on and wait for it to settle down and warn of a missing cartridge.
- Re-install the cartridges individually. If multiple cartridges have been rejected I would recommend installing them individually and ensuring the cartridge is being recognised by the printer before repeating the process for the next cartridge.
If the printer states that one or more cartridges are not recognised there could possibly be a problem with the communication between the copper chips on the cartridges and your printer. This can occur during the manufacturing stage in the factory and is usually affected by dirt, such as dust or even a fingerprint.
Please follow these cleaning instructions to resolve the problem:
Place some old newspaper down to capture any spillage of ink. Remove the cartridges from your printer – switch your printer off. Using a piece of damp kitchen roll, gently wipe the copper plate on the cartridge. Allow the chips to air dry.
Once the chips are completely dry, re-install the cartridges into your printer and switch the printer back on. I would recommend that you run the print head cleaning program on your printer to clean the heads and push the ink through. For best results, you should run the program one or two times.
If you find that after following this procedure you are still having a problem please contact us, include your order number, model of printer and provide us with the exact error message shown on the printer