HP Deskjet 5550 broken cartridge latch - HP DeskJet 5550 InkJet Printer

SOURCE: 5550 DeskJet 5550 curious error message

Do you happen to be getting this on a Mac? I'm wondering if this is the Mac's notification for your cartridge being too out of ink to print. I came across this error today and had to replace the cartridge to fix the problem (mind you with the exact same version, just new).

SOURCE: The printer cartridge latch is broken

hi,

you have to replace the printer if the left latch is literally broken.
there is no other go even if you want to scan.

give a try by scanning from hp solution center or from ms paint.

thanks and regards
agnel

SOURCE: hp deskjet 5550 yellow flashing light readout says pen failure???

Your ink cartridge is bad.

SOURCE: HP Deskjet 5550 cartridge carriage stuck SPAM SPAM SPAM 1-800-532-4187

I have had this same problem a few times, not due to changing the cartiges, but following one of my kids yanking on a peice of paper as it was printing. After I tried all the unplugging and clearing and re-starting, the arm was still stuck on the left. I read on some forum (can't remember where) while the printer is off, to gently push/pull on the cartiges until they un-jam or start to move. I flet like I was going to break it, but it has worked every time.

Hope this helps osmeone else!

SOURCE: HP Deskjet 5550 will not print black&white after cartridge change

Here is a link to a page that explains how to clean the cartridges:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=110&prodSeriesId=71895&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=71895&objectID=bpa00226