Just had new printer again kodak esp 7 and got same problem black ink cartridge not printing

bandman1967

• 24 Answers
• Posted on Feb 19, 2009

SOURCE: Kodak printer 5500 will not print in black

I had the same problem and wasted money on 2 new cartridges before finding the answer on several blogs. Call Kodak Tech Support. In this case they are very good. Tell them the problem, they walk you through some steps and then give up. They will then send you out a new print head (a cheap and disposable device). I thought about buying another one for the next time things go bad but I can't find a source. They send it in 3-5 days, free. I think Kodak is embarrassed about their bad system (printheads should not go bad so fast!)

SOURCE: Won't recognize color ink cartridge

This is a common problem with Kodak 5000 series and ESP series printers.
Check the silver contacts on the ink cartridges for small scratches in the center. The scratches indicate that the ink cartridges have made contact with the appropriate connections in the printer. If no marks are visible, the cartridge was not seated properly. If the contacts look ok, you'll have to call Kodak again. It's highly likely that the recertified printer you received was returned for the same problem. If you point out the fact that you are experiencing the same problem for the second time, you may wind up with an upgrade to an ESP5. Don't accept another printhead replacement as thiat will not resolve the problem.

SOURCE: Replaced printhead and ink cartiages on a Kodak ESP.3

I had my esp3 stop printing black also. I bought new cartridges even tho' I knew the ones in the printer were at least half full. Still not printing black. I finally called Kodak support and got a tech who was the first tech from India who could speak English well. He was very helpfull but in the end he told me he would send me the printer head because that was the problem. My printer was not used for about a month and the head dried up. The tech said that printer must be used about twice a week and the best way was to print the test by using the 'Scan' and 'Copy' at the same time. There was no sense telling the tech this is a huge flaw in the printer as he must have been hearing this for a long time. After I received the new printer head it prints fine. This is an absolutely huge flaw in this printer. If they can't make a different style of head for this printer these will stop being used................. So if you have the ESP3 (I don't know about the other models) and don't use it often the head will dry up and you can't clean it (according to the tech I talked to). Kodak should send these free for the life of the machine in my opinion.

Don Farrell

• 1018 Answers
• Posted on Feb 27, 2010

SOURCE: Kodak ESP 3 doesn't print black ink!

Forgive me for asking this, but roughly speaking about 80 to 85% of problems involving ink or toner are resolved by the following:
Are you using a manufacturer’s factory new ink cartridge or toner? I
f you are using a refilled (worst possible choice) cartridge , toner or ink, or third party cartridge (2nd. worst possible choice) that may well be your problem. Most manufacturers build logic into their products to prevent the use of “Other Equipment Manufactured” cartridges as well as re-filled cartridges.
They do this to prevent problems from contaminated inks causing problems with print quality or damaging the physical printhead.
If you are using the manufacturer’s new ink cartridges, then please contact their technical support group. Factory new cartridges usually have warranties on them.
Don

SOURCE: My Kodak ESP 3 all-in-one printer will not print

you may try to clean the printhead and recalibrate the printer. if this will not correct the problem, you need to replace the printhead. I suggest contacting Kodak technical support to have a replacement printhead.