The printer tells me to replace an ink cartridge because the ink has been depleted. The cartridge is nearly new, though. Just yesterday it showed to be half full. I have cleaned the printheads and the cartridge and replaced a couple of cartridges that were low. The printer still says the half full cartridge is depleted. What can I do?

The printer's indicator lights tell you when to obtain a replacement ink cartridge by flashing when ink is low, and when to replace an empty ink cartridge by remaining on when ink is depleted. The LCD panel also displays INK LOW or INK OUT.
Even if only one ink cartridge is empty, the printer cannot continue to print.

change cartridge.

reset the waste ink counter, put black tape on critical ridge of all cartridges and refilled them. All showed full. All was well for 2 sheets, then all 4 cartridges are showing as near empty on LCD also on software monitor program. Whether or not they are near empty, how does the printer know with the light beam blocked? I have made filling holes on each cartridge (sealed with rubber plugs) so that I can refill without removing them. Doing this is not going to change the readout.
My expert TIP: Buy a new printer. Printers today are as just as expensive as a set of printer inks. Printers have heads and they get dirty over time and might need replacement, which is all the more expensive. Try buying ink advantage printers, they DO indeed save money. Or try looking for somebody who knows how to modify your printer to a CIS (Continuous Ink Supply) printer.

Check that the ink jet cartridges aren't depleted or nearly depleted.
Also, check in the printer console whether there is any 'economy' or 'ink saving' mode checked for the printer on the computer.

yes, there is an option to override (or ignore) the message of a cartridge empty. Go to the printer menu then configure device, then look for system setup and replace supplies. There is an option that says override out. Select that and the unit will use any remain of toner from the cartridge even though it shows 0%. Be aware that at some point the cartridge will be completely depleted and can cause quality issues, at that point replace the cartridge

I've had that problem with unfinished cartridges showing up as empty. I imagine that it could be a bad cartridge as well but I hear and feel the ink when I shake the cartridge. Therefore the ink is there. I also have a problem with some inks. I find the HP inks work perfectly whereas other manufacturers' inks work on and off. I need a solution as well. Right now I have full cartridges that are not picked up by the Designjet sensor. Any idea?

Hello,
It is a very interesting question. I often wondered if my Brother MFC-5460CN would scan even if there is no ink in a cartridge. I guess it your lucky day, because yesterday I changed the cartridges, and your question gave me the opportunity to find the answer.
I replaced one new cartridge with a depleted one. As expected my printer refused to print but did not balk when I scanned a document.

At least my printer scans if there is no ink.
To verify if your does too, wait until a cartridge is depleted and try to use the scanner, and you will have a FIRST Hand answer.

Hope it helps.

Both of the cartridges did need replacing; the black is OK now so just pop in a cyan and you should be fine.

Turn on the printer. The printer head will start to move to the left; immediately pull out the power cable from the back of the printer. You can now move the print head to the cartridge exchange position by hand. Change the cartridge(s) and close the cartridge cover. Re-insert the power cable, turn the printer back on and it should work OK.

I think you need to open your printers "Properties" and set and apply that new cartridges have been installed to get past the problem. It's been a while but I had to do this with mine last time I refilled them after they showed depleted.