The light next to the ok button keeep blinking and the photo butten light stay on ..the screen says refer to printer documentntion

Regarding your recent inquiry about the HP Photosmart C5280 printer which uses HP 74 & HP 75 cartridges, and error message ("Refer to Device Documentation") and inability to print, this type of error is normally associated to an electrical connection issue between the printer and the cartridge, or more likely, an internal micro-electronic failure inside one of the cartridges (please note is very rare for both ink cartridges to electrically fail at the same time....activate diagnostics below to confirm which cartridge is causing the error condition)....or refer to the Inkjet411 website and select you printer model (...the Inkjet411 site is primarily a self-service sitelet which provides over 85 technical videos and do-it-yourself printer remedies and corrections): http://inkjet411.com/

An electronic failure of the cartridge would be unrelated to the ink cartridge refill process; these same failures can (and frequently do!) occur with brand new ink cartridges and normally occur over time due to natural degradation of the internal micro-electronics.* To help identify the root cause, and to confirm which of the two ink cartridges is causing the failure condition, please run the 'Tap 41' cartridge's electrical diagnostic test below (refer to PROCEDURE C.)
NOTE 1: Your Photosmart printer model must have two (2) good ink cartridges installed to operate/print (unlike all HP Deskjet printer models which may operate using only one (1) ink cartridge).

IMPORTANT: First verify the age of the ink cartridge(s)....look at imprinted date on front of ink cartridge. If this 'warranty expiration date' has expired, then potential internal electrical cartridge failures can (and frequently do) occur due to prolonged internal corrosion of cartridge micro-circuits, etc.

NOTE 2: Unfortunately, alignment pages and internal self test prints will usually print Ok even if the cartridge is internally electrically damaged. Do not use these test pages as a proxy for determining whether a cartridge is good or bad, only the 'Tap 41/43' diagnostic test report can yield this information.


CONTACT CLEANING / SERVICE TEST DIAGNOSTICS:

A. Ensure BOTH carriage/flex cables and BOTH ink cartridge contacts are thoroughly clean before proceeding: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519

B. Print Self Test Page:

1. Press and hold the CANCEL button.
2. Press the COLOR COPY button. Release both buttons.
3. The self test page should print. The printed pattern will verify printer is generally functional

--- The self test page is a 'forced' test print whether the ink cartridges are good or bad. Inspect color bars to verify proper nozzle/jetting health. If normal/regular printing is still not permitted then the problem is with either one, or both, of the ink cartridges. Activate Tap 41 test to confirm which cartridge is causing the issue.

C. Validate the cartridge's electrical health by running the 'Tap 41' diagnostics test. Refer to video procedure or .pdf document at the following links on how to activate and read the service test report: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=536

1. Load Letter/A4-size paper into paper feed tray.
2. If any lights are blinking, first press Cancel to attempt to clear.
3. Press and HOLD the Cancel button, press Ok button once.
4. At 'Mfg Commands' menu, click Right Arrow once until 'uiaux service' menu is displayed.
5. At 'uiaux service' menu, click the Right Arrow until Special Reports menu is displayed.
6. Select Ok, then click Right Arrow until the 'print-mech button tap' menu is displayed.
7. Select Ok (Code = 0 will be displayed); click and hold Right Arrow until 'code = 41' is displayed. Use the Left Arrow if you need to decrease numerical count.
8. Select Ok. Within one minute the Tap 41 diagnostic test report should be initiated and print (whether ink cartridges are good or not, i.e. this is a forced print test). See following 4 paragraphs (or video) on how to interpret diagnostic report.....

NOTE: You may also refer to this document for specific printer model 'Tap 41' diagnostic & 'Cartridge Error Bypass' step-by-step instructions: http://inkjet411.retailinkjet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HP-74-75-Problem-Resolution_v10.pdf

--- Providing the color cartridge is partially functioning the Tap 41 diagnostic test print will be printed (this is a forced service print test which is mainly used for the evaluation of ink cartridge electrical health). A good HP 75/75XL color cartridge should display 600 good nozzles, while a good HP 74/74XL black ink cartridge should show 672 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to video on how to read the printout.

---- If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used). You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink.

You can also test general printer performance by running the 'Tap 10' diagnostic test, use same procedure above and enter "code = 10". Both the 'Tap 41' and 'Tap 10' tests are 'forced print tests' - the printer will make every attempt to print the pattern whether the ink cartridges are good or bad...the patterns should be utilized to diagnose cartridge health. If 'regular' printing is still not possible then one or both of the ink cartridges is damaged.


ERROR BYPASS OPTION (TEMPORARY ONLY):

NOTE: It is possible to 'temporarily' bypass the cartridge error message (for emergency printing purposes only), please refer to link above/below for video/documentation instructions: http://inkjet411.retailinkjet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HP-74-75-Problem-Resolution_v10.pdf

However, if the cartridge is determined to be electrically damaged, largely dependent on the 'Tap 41' diagnostic test results, the cartridge will eventually need to be replaced with a new one. With a marginally performing ink cartridge, this typically results in allowing 1 entire print job to be printed at a time. If this does not permit any print operations then the cartridge has severe internal electrical damage and will need to be replaced.

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* The "Incompatible Print Cartridge(s)" / "Print Cartridge(s) Problem" / "Refer to printer documentation" / "Cartridge Error: Cartridge must be replaced" / "Cartridge in left/right slot is not intended for use in this printer" / "Now printing alignment page" error messages are typically indicative of failed micro-electronics internal to the ink cartridge(s). Also note that it is common to have a marginally performing ink cartridge (which was performing ok before) in the adjacent slot (i.e. color), then when a marginally performing cartridge is installed into the other slot (i.e. black), both of the ink cartridge(s) then get flagged with electrical errors. Running the 'Tap 41' cartridge health diagnostics test will confirm the active electrical state of both cartridges.

For additional HP printer diagnostics information please visit: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1813

Please let us know if you have any additional questions regarding procedures outlined above and/or questions relating to the provided technical information. If you are interested in the top 'refill friendly inkjet printer models', our suggested list is posted on-line and our Inkjet411 internal labs have verified there are no issues (in ink compatibility or color output) with all of these models: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=3585

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INK CARTRIDGE REFILL SERVICES:
Costco USA (464+ stores): http://www.costcoinkjetrefill.com
Costco Canada (62+ stores, more coming soon): http://www.ca.costcoinkjetrefill.com
Costco United Kingdom (7 stores):http://uk.costcoinkjetrefill.com/
Costco Mexico (35+ stores): http://es.costcoinkjetrefill.com/
Fry's Electronics (34 stores): http://www.frys.com/ads/page195
Best Buy Canada (13 stores): www.geeksquad.ca/inkrefill/
10 Major Universities in USA & Canada
Ink Cartridge Refill Store Map Locator: http://www.go2ris.com/

Alternatively, if you need to purchase a new HP 74/75 ink cartridge(s), we suggest you try a remanufactured ink cartridge from http://www.inkplicity.com/ as their ink cartridges typically have the lowest cost in the USA, have a high reliability rating and provide a 1-year warranty and free shipping over $20 (products available to US residents only).
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For any additional questions please contact us directly: [email protected]

-Thank you
Inkjet411 Team Member