Regarding your recent inquiry about the HP 94, 95, 96, 97 or 98 ink cartridge error message/condition and inability to print to your HP OJ 7310 printer, this type of problem is normally associated to an electrical connection issue between the printer and the cartridge, or more likely, an internal micro-electronic failure inside the cartridge itself. An electronic failure of the cartridge would be unrelated to the ink cartridge refill process; this same failure can occur with a brand new ink cartridge*. While there are workarounds available, they are considered temporary in nature (and do not always work). Please execute the 'Tap 41' Diagnostics Test Report below to confirm which cartridge is actually causing the issue and to check the cartridge's overall electrical health (refer to Procedure C. below) or see our HP OJ 7310 support page:
http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1826
Please first verify the age of the ink cartridge(s)....look at imprinted date on front (or back) of ink cartridge. If this 'warranty expiration date' has expired, then potential cartridge failures can occur due to internal corrosion, etc.
NOTE: Unfortunately, alignment pages and internal self test prints will usually print Ok even if the cartridge is internally electrically damaged. Do not use these test pages as a proxy for determining whether a cartridge is good or bad, only the 'Tap 41/43' diagnostic test report can yield this information.
PRINTER CLEANING / DIAGNOSTIC PRINTER TESTS:
A.Ensure BOTH carriage/flex cables and BOTH ink cartridge contacts are thoroughly clean before proceeding:
http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519
B.Verify the carriage clip (metal restraining band) for the black cartridge stall is installed/present (if applicable for your printer model)....remove the color cartridge and look at the color clip/stall position for a direct comparison. If the carriage restraining clip is missing then you have a mechanical failure of the printer. Check your user manual.
C.1. You can confirm the black and color ink cartridge's electrical health by running the 'Tap 41' diagnostics test (most Officejet models - see C.2. below for alternative procedure):
a.Load Letter/A4-size paper into paper feed tray.
b.Press the * and # keys simultaneously.
c.Enter 124 (or 123 on some models) at keypad. The 'Underware xxxx' menu should be displayed (or 'Support xxxx' menu).
d.Use the arrow keys to navigate to the System Menu (on certain Officejet models you may need to go to 'Reports Menu'). Select Ok.
e.Use the arrow keys to navigate to the "print-mech button tap" menu. Select Ok. LCD screen should display "code = 0".
f.Use the arrow keys to enter "code = 41" (or just enter 41 on keypad). Select Ok. The Tap 41 diagnostic test pattern should begin to print. Refer to 2nd video at link below on how to analyze the printed diagnostic pattern.
C.2. Officejet 6200/6210/6310 Alternative Service Menu Access:
a.Press the * and # keys simultaneously.
b.Enter 124 (or 123) at keypad.
c.Use the arrow keys to navigate to the System Menu. Select Ok.
d.Use the arrow keys to navigate to the 'print-mech tap test'. Select Ok. Should display 'code = 0'.
e.Use the arrow keys to enter 'code = 41' (or just enter 41 on keypad). Select Ok. The Tap 41 diagnostic test pattern should begin to print.
NOTE: If nothing prints, then try entering 'code=43' (select OJ printer models leverage different test codes).
REFERENCE: Tap 41 Diagnostics [HP Deskjet 6900 -use HP 93 thru 97 cartridges]:http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1741
---- If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used). A good HP 93/95/97 color cartridge should display 600 good nozzles, while a good HP 92/94/96/98 black ink cartridge should show 672 good nozzles. You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink. If the results yield anything different then the ink cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to video above on how to read the printout.
You can also test general printer performance by running the 'Tap 10' diagnostic test, use same procedure above and enter "code = 10". Both the 'Tap 41' and 'Tap 10' tests are 'forced print tests' - the printer will make every attempt to print the pattern whether the ink cartridges are good or bad...the patterns should be utilized to diagnose cartridge health. If 'regular' printing is still not possible then one or both of the ink cartridges is damaged.
CARTRIDGE ERROR BYPASS PROCEDURE:
It is possible to 'temporarily' bypass the cartridge error message (for emergency printing purposes only - REFER TO 3RD VIDEO). However, if the cartridge is determined to be electrically damaged it will eventually need to be replaced with a new one. http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=544
NOTE:There are 2 main branches under the service menu, so finding the 'CHECKSUM' menu for your particular printer model may involve some exploring thru the various menus....
1. Press the * and # keys simultaneously.
2. Enter 123 (or 124, or 1234) at keypad. The 'Underware' menu should be displayed.
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Information Menu. Select Ok.
4. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the 'checksum for relock data input' (or simply 'checksum'). Select Ok. LCD should display a 5-digit number after a few seconds.
5. Press Cancel several times to completely exit out of service menu.
6. Attempt to send a print job to printer.
NOTE:with a marginally performing ink cartridge, this typically results in allowing 1 entire print job to be printed at a time. If this does not permit any print operations then the cartridge has internal micro-electronic damage and will need to be replaced.
*Many cartridges eventually do encounter problems or failures, especially after their original ink is gone and they are re-used. The "Incompatible Cartridge(s)" / "Print Cartridge(s) Problem", "Refer to printer documentation", "Cartridge is not intended for use in this printer" / "Remove and check color/black cartridge" error messages are typically indicative of failed micro-electronics internal to the ink cartridge(s). Also, 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. Running the 'Tap 41' cartridge health diagnostics test will confirm the active state of both cartridges.
Customers who have questions regarding cartridge/printer problems can visit http://www.inkjet411.com or contact us directly at [email protected]
-Thank you
