My lexmark 3550 printer wont print

Check your manual for instructions about this type of problem. Are you using the ink cartridges meant for your printer? Sometimes using refillable cartridges instead of the manufacturer's cartridges can cause the printer to still think the cartridges are empty, and display an 'on-screen' message that they need to be replaced, which could stop the printer from engaging. I have a Canon Pixma printer, installed refillable cartridges, and now the unit displays a 'cartridges are empty' message on PC screen; but the printer still works. The system just recently went into a non-printable mode displaying a more convincing message that the black cartridge is EMPTY, and completely stopped printing. The solution to this: press and hold the Stop/Reset button for about five seconds, and it overrode the issue and started printing. Moral of the story, maybe its best to just buy the manufacturer's printer cartridges.

Make sure you are using genuine Lexmark cartridges. Lexmark products work best with original supplies. Lexmark does not recommend the use of refilled, re-manufactured, or clone cartridges. You might not get the print quality you expect from ink that is specially formulated by Lexmark.
Check your cartridge ink levels. From the printer operator panel, go to Maintenance > View Ink Levels. Replace the cartridge that has low ink level. If your ink levels are still substantial for printing and you are using genuine Lexmark supplies, please contact Lexmark Technical Support Center for further assistance.

Try to check and make sure your black ink level is still good and not about to go empty. On the printer operator panel, press the Setup button > Maintenance > Ink Levels.
If the black ink level is still good, make sure the cartridges are aligned. Try this approach. On the printer operator panel, press the Setup button > Maintenance > Align Cartridges. Your printer will then print a page forcing ink through the cartridge nozzles and clean them as well as align the cartridges.
Try to print a document again to verify that the print quality has improved.

Note that a refilled cartridge will not be able to report its ink level. Check if correct ink level is displayed on your printer operator panel. Press Setup button > Maintenance > Ink Level - check your black and color ink levels. If ink levels are correct, then the problem could be on your computer.
The Print Spooler service on your computer may be disabled. To enable the Print Spooler service, follow the steps below:

1. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in "NET STOP SPOOLER" (this will stop the print spooler service)
2. Type in "NET START SPOOLER" (this will restart the print spooler service)

Try to check your ink levels again.

The 3550 won't print in any color if any of the colors are out. You'll have to replace the color ink that's empty to get it to print.

In the future, if you're just printing black and white, you can select "Print in Grayscale" from the print properties to just use the black ink cartridge, which will help the color cartridges to last longer.

1. On your computer, go to "Start," "Programs," "Lexmark Series." Click "Lexmark Control Program."
   
2. Step 2 Select the "Cartridges" tab. Click "Change Cartridges." The Change Cartridges screen appears, displaying the animated instructions for installing or changing cartridges. When you have finished viewing the animation, click the "Finished" button.
   
3. Step 3 Remove the tape covering the print head of the new print cartridge. Insert the new print cartridge as shown in the animation.
   
4. Step 4 When the "Choose Cartridges" screen appears, select the cartridge(s) you installed in your printer from the list boxes. Click the appropriate box to reset the ink levels to full. Click "OK."
   
5. Step 5 The Automatic Alignment screen appears. Click "Align" to align the print cartridges for best print quality. The printer prints a page with a bi-directional alignment pattern. On the printed test page, locate the number that comes closest to forming a straight line under the bi-directional alignment pattern. Enter that number as the bi-directional alignment setting in the Alignment Cartridge dialog box. Click "OK."
   

1) Goto the Lexmark Solution Center application.
2) Press button Maintenance>Install a new print cartridge, follow the instruction on screen. U may then have your new full ink level. Note: u only can reset to full level, cannot customize the level by your own.
Hope this help.

YBC (/\)

You need to reset the ink level before the printer can print further, to do these please follow the following step:
1) Goto the Lexmark Solution Center application.
2) Press button Maintenance>Install a new print cartridge, follow the instruction on screen. U may then have your new full ink level. Note: u only can reset to full level, cannot customize the level by your own.
Then try again with printing alignment task.
Hope this help.

YBC (/\)

Is the print out normal? If the print out is normal you just need to reset the software to know that you have a new cartridge.

If you open the printer cover, remove and then reinsert the cartridge you should have a message on your display asking you to align the cartridge. When you do this it will reset your ink levels.

If you are using a brand new Lexmark cartridge this should work find. If you are using a refilled cartridge then you will still see the cartridge as they are not supported on Lexmark products.

Thanks
Catherine

If you brought new Lexmark cartridges please change it as it comes with one year warranty but before try to perform a self test, (i.e make a copy) if it works then try printing , if get the error then change the cart.........................