Power on button is on and the print cartridge light is blinking...can the printer print

SOURCE: will not print at all

You can try restoring the printer to factory settings..and try agian it has worked most of the times for me..Let the catridge be in the printer when you do this..

SOURCE: hp officejet 5510 all in one cartridge error

There are several different ways I've come across which will resolve ink cartridge errors on the HP Officejet 5510.

HP's standard, pat answer to the problem is "Buy brand new genuine HP ink cartridges." If you refill your own ink cartridge or have it done at Walmart or somewhere else, you will eventually run into this problem. Why? Because the 5510 stores information on as many as 2 of the black ink & 2 of the color ink cartridges you have used in the machine - complete with an "expiration" date for each of those cartridges. You can refill them, but unless you clear the stored memory in the printer you probably won't be able to get around the errors. Even if you do, they usually come back in a short period of time. I know this because I own a 5510 & a 5110 and have battled this problem myself for a couple of years.

Short of buying "genuine new HP ink cartridges", using your printer for target practice, or testing it's aerodynamic design... lofting it not-so-gently from a 2nd-story (or higher) window... aiming for the nearest dumpster ;) you might try:

• http://www.misterinkjet.com/hpreset.htm Scroll down and you will find links to pages for the #56 & #57 cartridge serial number reset procedure.
• If the above doesn't resolve your problem, try removing both cartridges, then - with the printer still turned "ON", unplug the power supply cord from the back of the machine. After one minute has passed, press down and hold both the "#" button and the "6" button on the keypad and while pressing those buttons, reach back and plug the power cord back into the machine. The LED readout will indicate "Initializing" and "Reset..." Then, release the "#" and "6" buttons and wait until the machine re-initializes and prompts you to install ink cartridges. Reinstall the cartridges and see if the problem is resolved. The reset procedure, as well as other troubleshooting procedures (paper jams, ink cartridge jams, etc.) can be found here, on the HP support pages.
• Another way of working around the cartridge error problem is to keep at least 3 sets of cartridges on hand, using the newest sets for re-filling. You may have to switch out 2 or 3 times just to get the machine's memory maxed out, but the third set should work. This particular method works best with OEM HP cartridges, but I've heard it works with other brands, too.

For more adventurous-techie-types, who can't resist tearing into the machine in an effort to resolve the cartridge error permanently, I found the following information posted on a DIY (Do It Yourself) repair forum:

The 5510 has a pair of 1.5v batteries which function much like the CMOS battery on the motherboard of your computer - they supply power to the memory chips which store the serial numbers and expiration dates of the last 2 sets of ink cartridges which were used. The batteries are sealed together at the top and bottom and are attached to a circut board inside the printer on the left-hand side. At a glance, they look a lot like a capacitor or something like that attached to the board. If you look closely, you will see the "+" and "-" markings.

Breaking the connection (located at the top) between these two batteries will clear the ink cartridge serial number info from the printer's memory - but be advised this will probably also clear other short-term memory items also - such as last number redial, etc.

The clever individual who posted this info actually attached wires - one to the top of each of the 1.5v batteries - and ran the wires out through the opening above the paper trays. The wire-ends are connected together - I imagine they would need to be held out of the way of the paper path with a piece of tape.
(M-I-C-K-E-Y...M-O-U-S-E) He, he
When it's time for a cartridge change/refill, the wires are disconnected to clear the memory, then reconnected again after the full cartridges have been installed.

I've read posts from people with different models of printers have mentioned installing a switch to clear the memory - a preferable solution than to have wires running out from the inside of your printer.
This is a widespread issue and regardless of how you resolve the error messages, one must always remember that when you bypass something that is built-into the design of an electronic device, you run the risk of damaging components. In this case, the biggest problem would be running too low or completely out of ink and burning out the print head on the ink cartridge; then you would end up having to replace the cartridge anyway.

Personally, I'm basically fed up with the way HP has been forcing people who buy their printers and All-In-Ones to pay outrageous prices for replacement cartridges, by building machines which generate error messages and reject refilled and non-OEM cartridges. Their drivers and software programs often have compatibility problems even with other HP products which are installed on the same computer with an HP printer. Too many problems for me - I won't be buying any more HP printers and I hear Dell is not much better.
While I haven't tried to jump out the memory on my 5510 yet, that will be my last and final effort before giving it the aerodynamics test... into the nearest dumpster!

SOURCE: Printer Won't Print

I had the same problem all you have to do is in the left side there is a black sorta arrow looking piece. You have to get this back in alignment... There is a white wheel right across from it push the the wheel down till you get it to the top where there will be a triangle like cut out.. You then need to push the point of the black arrow like piece to the left of the wheel so it below the wheels level... This is what is causing the smacking noise it is getting caught on this black arrow like piece.

SOURCE: Power button is blinking and Carriage is stalled

there are two cartridge one is the ink cartridge which can be found on the left side of the printer (in front)and the other one is the head cartridge that can be found on the right side if you will open the printer cover that is the carriage check it if the flip cover is lock properly then try to reinsert the head cartridge..

Testimonial: "I LOVE U MAN!! TNX FOR THE HELP! I HOPE I CAN BRING YOU PIE! OR SUMTIN' TNX SO MUCH ^_^"

SOURCE: My ink cartridge light is blinking on my hp940c printer

Routine maintenance and keeping full ink tanks will prevent this problem, however if you have the problem you can resolve it by doing the following:
1. Clean your print head using denatured alcohol solvent which can be purchased from most hardware stores. If unavailable, use 91% Alcohol (isopropyl alcohol (first aid antiseptic) which is available for less than a dollar at most Walmart pharmacy departments.

*Warning: You may want to use a pair of latex exam gloves as this is a messy process and can stain your fingers.
Time necessary 45-50 minutes
Supplies needed:
Isopropyl Alcohol or denatured alcohol
paper towels
latex gloves
sink, bowls and or basin
can of compressed air
very small screw driver
tablespoon or baby bulb type syringe
warm water

PROCEDURE:
1. Lift print head from printer. It pulls out easily because it is held in with the same down lever that holds the cartridge in place.
2. Put two layers of paper towels in the bottom of a dish to protect sensitive sprayer heads.
3.Put enough solvent in dish to cover the screens on which the cartridges sit when in use.
4. Take the two small screws out that hold the white ceramic piece
5. Gently, pry the ceramic piece back and away , to reveal the underside (No need to pull away the glued points on the sides.)
6. Gently, move head up and down to slosh solvent around it the best as you can. Use a table spoon or syringe to pour solvent over all orifices in the print head, turning it upside down and then back a few times.
7. Use canned air with a plastic straw to blow into and through all orifices, alternately sloshing/swishing and pouring solvent over head (be careful not to touch any of the holes, screens, or sprayer heads with anything)
8. Empty dirty solvent from bowl and replace with paper towels and clean solvent. Soak for approx 10 minutes. Rinse again with clean solvent poured directly on all parts, letting solvent overrun and fall into dish or basin.
9. Gently shake the solvent off the head, take it outside and spray with compressed air into all orifices to clear out and help evaporate any remaining solvent. Let sit on a clean paper towel for approx 20 minutes. (There may be a little ink bleeding out of the head, but once it dries completely it does not present any problems.
10. Reinstall head, cartridges and it will print like a new printer.

SUGGESTION: For many years of problem free printing, keep a double set of ink cartridges, one set full at all times. Whenever a cartridge runs out of ink, replace it IMMEDIATELY, with a new one or a refilled one. This gives the print head no chance to dry out and create clogged heads. Routine maintenance of cleaning the heads every 24 months does wonders for keeping your printer in new condition.

Hope this helps. .