My lexmark x5650 will not align properly. i've cleaned nozzles and tried to align after replacing cartridges... now i'm just wasting ink. please help!

Print quality issues can be due to clogged print cartridge nozzles. Please follow the steps below to fix the problem:

1. Try to remove the cartridges from your printer
2. Close the printer cover.
3. Unplug and re-plug the printer into the power source to reset it.
4. When the printer turns on, reinsert the cartridges.
5. Your printer will then try to print an alignment page. It will help clean the cartridge nozzles.
6. After the alignment page comes out, try to print a document again to verify if problem is resolved.

If the problem continues, try to launch the Lexmark Solution Center on your computer. Go to Maintenance and select Clean Cartridge.
You can also try to insert a different known working cartridge to determine if it's a cartridge problem.

It could be due to the refilled cartridge that you are using. Refilled cartridges tend to degrade print quality and cartridge performance.
You can try to clean the cartridge nozzles. Please follow the steps below to fix the problem:

1. On the printer control panel, press Copy.
2. Press Options until Maintenance is highlighted.
3. Press the right arrow until Align Cartridges or Clean Cartridges appears, and then press Select. A test page will then be printed forcing ink through the cartridge nozzles and clean them.

Try to print your document again to verify that the cartridges are working.
If that doesn't help, I would suggest you replace your cartridges with new genuine Lexmark cartridges.

Try to re-seat your ink cartridges by removing it from the printer. Then unplug and replug your printer into the power source to reset. When the printer turns on, reinsert your cartridges and make sure they're properly secured. Let it print an alignment page. Or try to print again. If still nothing is printed, your cartridge nozzles may need some cleaning. This article in the Lexmark website will give you steps on how clean the cartridge nozzles: How to Maintain the Print Cartridges on the Lexmark All-In-One Printers

Did you use generic cartridges? either that or they might be bad too, take them back and get them replaced.

It could be that the cartridges are not inserted properly in the carrier or just needs cleaning. Try to remove both cartridges from the printer and manually clean the nozzles. You may refer to this article on How to Clean the Print Cartridge Nozzles and Contacts Manually. Then reinsert one cartridge first and close the cover. If no error appears, reinsert the other cartridge. Replace whichever cartridge is causing the error. You can also try the Clean Cartridge function on the printer by pressing the Setup button -> Maintenance -> Clean Cartridges. It will then print the clean nozzles test page. If error continues, replace the faulty cartridge.

Remove the cartridges from the printer. Close the cover. Unplug the printer from the power source and leave it unplug for now. Then, wipe the nozzles of the cartridge using a damp paper towel. Plug the printer back to its power source. When the printer's ready, re-insert the cartridges. Close the cover. The printer will print an alignment page. Just let it print the page without cancelling it. If that doesn't resolve the problem, try pressing the Settings button on the printer control panel. Go to Maintenance, then hit ok. Select Clean cartridges, then hit ok. That will force inks out of the cartridges and also cleans the nozzles. You can check ink levels by pressing Settings on the printer control panel. Then go to Maintenance, select Check Ink Levels. If ink level is still not recognized, have the ink cartridge replaced. You probably got a defective one.

Hello. The ink cartridge may not be seated properly in the carrier. Remove the cartridges from the printer. Close the cover. Clean the nozzles using a damp paper towel. Unplug the printer from the power source. Plug it back in after 10-15 seconds. When the printer asks for the cartridges, reinsert the cartridges. Also, make sure you're using the compatible ink cartridges for the printer. Let it print the alignment page all the way without cancelling it to align the cartridges properly. Hope this helps.

Hi,
The problem sometimes is that when you unpack the cartridges a little bit of residue of the packaging stays in the printhead of the cartridges. Here is a link that shows you how to clean the nozzles. http://www.bit.ly/aBjxGa

Hi there,
To improve print quality
1 On the operator panel, press Options repeatedly until
Cartridges appears.
2 Press the right arrow button until Align appears, and then press
Select.
An alignment page prints. Once the alignment sheet prints, your
automatic alignment is complete.
You may need to clean the print cartridge nozzles.
Using the operator panel
1 Load paper in the All-In-One.
2 Press Options until Cartridges appears on the display.
3 Press the right arrow until Clean appears on the display.
4 Press Select.
A nozzle page prints forcing ink through the nozzles to clean the
clogged nozzles.
5 Print your document again to verify your print quality has improved.
6 Try wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts, and then print your document again.
7 If print quality has not improved, try cleaning the print cartridge
nozzles up to two more times.
Using the Lexmark X5100 Series Solution Center
1 Load plain paper in the All-In-One. 2 Click Start Programs Lexmark X5100 Series Lexmark X5100 Series Solution Center.
3 Click the Maintenance tab.
4 From the Maintenance tab, click Clean to fix horizontal streaks.
5 Click Print.
6 Print your document again to verify your print quality has improved.
7 Try wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts, and then print your document again.
8 If print quality has not improved, try cleaning the print cartridge
nozzles up to two more times.
If the print quality does not improve after cleaning the print cartridge
nozzles, dried ink may be on the nozzles or contacts. To wipe the print
cartridge nozzles and contacts:
1 Remove the print cartridges.
2 Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with water.
3 Hold the cloth against the gold nozzle area for about three seconds.
Gently blot and wipe dry in one direction (this prevents the colors in
the color cartridge from mixing).
4 Remove the old cartridges
5 Let the nozzles and contacts dry completely.
6 Reinstall the print cartridges, and then print your document again.
7 If the print quality has not improved, try cleaning the print
nozzles up to two more times
8 If print quality is still unsatisfactory, replace your print cartridges.

Hope this helps.
Thanks
Have a good day.

Try cleaning the contacts on both the ink cartridge and the carriage with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. If that does not work, the nozzles on the color ink cartridge may be clogged with dry ink.

There is a nozzle cleaning utility in the Lexmark Solutions Center. Use that to clean the nozzles of your ink cartridges. The Lexmark Solutions Center is installed on your computer. You can find it in the Windows Start Menu under "All Programs" in a folder marked "Lexmark".

If your printer has been sitting without use for more than a few weeks, the nozzles may be too clogged with dry ink to clean by conventional means.

It nothing works, replace the color ink cartridge.