Color cartridges not working

I just had this exact problem on my HP 5514. Black won't print after running out of black ink. New cartridge no good.
I tried everything-no good. I suspected the pinholes in the printhead were clogged with dried ink because I didn't change cartridge in time.
The fix that worked perfectly was when I hacksaw top off old black cartridge & removed all foam wicks so now I had a funnel(can see clear thru). I installed the cartridge & filled it with alcohol, printed page & did head clean; then printed few more pages. Problem cleared almost immediately. I then soaked up extra alcohol inside cartridge with paper towel. Removed modified cartridge & installed good one. I guess this could be done for colors as well. I don't know if this is a proper procedure, but it sure worked well for me.

It is probably best to replace cartridges individually as necessary. Let me explain. The printer display will tell you when a cartridge is "xx near empty" and when "xx empty" (where xx is the cartridge color).

1) Near Empty - you can continue to print. This message is to remind you to get a new "xx" cartridge and have it on hand.

Replacing the cartridge when "Near empty" will cause the machine to report "xx Empty" when it is not. It will not register that you have replaced it at "Near empty." Wait to replace the cartridge when you get the "xx empty" message.

2) XX Empty - you may not be able to continue printing. Replace cartridge "xx" now per your manual.

If you have replaced or reseated more than one cartridge, and you get the "no cartridge" error, you need to find out which one the machine "thinks" is problematic:

1) With the scanner cover open and locked in the "Up" position, the message may change to "Change cartridge, install xx" (xx refers to the color )

2) After changing the suspected cartridge and closing the scanner cover, be sure to notice the display. It will say, "Changed XX? 1. Yes 2. No" Press 1.

If all this explanation does not work, keep it in mind for next time. Brother says to unplug the machine for at least 10 seconds, then plug it in again. If the display shows the date and time, problem solved. If not, you may need to contact brother support.

That is normal, the printer "sees" the cartridges by their serial number, so when you pop in a refilled cartridge, the printer thinks you have put in old cartridges and continue to show low ink level. When you pop in a new one, with a new serial code, the ink level will reset, showing that the cartridges are full again.
You can try this:
1. Open printer lid so cartridges move to center of carriage.
2. Lift clamp and remove black or color cartridge from the holder.
3. Place cartridge on table with copper contact strip facing you.
4. Carefully place a strip of clear plastic tape over the four contacts on the upper left corner of the cartridge.
5. Reinstall cartridge in printer and close lid. Wait until cartridge returns to parking position.
6. Open lid and remove cartridge again. Remove tape from left side and place tape over four contacts at upper right corner of cartridge.
7. Reinstall cartridge in printer and close lid. Wait until cartridge returns to parking position again.
8. Open lid again, remove cartridge, remove tape.
9. Reinstall cartridge and close lid.
Printer will now recalibrate. Once the process is complete the ink level meter should be reading full again.
Doesn't always work, but you can try.
Here are links, so you can see:
http://www.misterinkjet.com/hp56reset.htm
http://www.misterinkjet.com/hp57reset.htm

Hope that helps!

Many brand name printer cartridges have a code that tells the printer they are a new cartridge. Once the cartridge is empty it will never again tell the printer that is it new.

You can refill the cartridge but it will continue to tell the printer that it is empty.

You say you "had my ... cartridges refilled today" so I suggest you go back to the folks who refilled them and ask them for suggestions.

Otherwise, purchase off-brand cartridges that won't tell the printer they're empty and keep refilling them as needed.

Another approach: purchase a new printer that won't give you this problem. I refill my Lexmark cartridges without any problems.

Try remove all cartridges then put back it one by one.Make sure the color cartridges are not empty too.The printer need all cartridges not empty to initialized and working.

Hi,

I'm sure you're using the Blue button to make the copy as it should do B/W copies only.
Double-check that black cartridge is not empty.

If the printer was connected to computer then we could have used diagnostics software.

So we start with a workaround.
Check if its display menu has any option of Ink cartridge level reset or something like that. If it has then do the reset.

If there is no such Menu option, the while the printer is On, open the compartment of printer cartridges and take out the 4 cartridges
and put it back.
Does any option in display Menu comes asking if cartridges are replaced? answer yes if it asks.

Now try to do a copy.

Hope this helps.
If it doesn't work then a question, how many days before the printer was last used?

You didn't mention your operating system so I'll assume that it's Windows. If this is not the case please post additional info...

Many times the ink levels can be checked through the print driver properties and/or the maintenance tab within the printer properties.

Open the printer folder + right click on the printer icon + properties. See if there is a maintenance tab, this will contain the alignment and cleaning utilities also.

Go to the printer driver (control panel -> Printer -> Right Click your Printer -> Properties). From there go to maintenance tab, Ink Cartridges, Select Black only. Then click OK. Finally hold the Stop/ Reset button for 10 secs or so. It will then work after a couple of warnings.

1. When one or more ink cartridges are empty, for example, Black, the LCD shows “Ink Empty Black” and “Open Cover.” Close the printer’s document support and the document tray.
2. Lift the top cover to the open position until it locks securely into place.
3. Pull the ink cartridge hook toward the front of the printer and remove the color ink cartridge displayed on the LCD. Place the cartridge in a plastic bag as it may still contain some residual ink and may leak.
4. Open the new ink cartridge bag for the color shown on the LCD and remove the new ink cartridge. The cartridge cover may come off when you open the bag. This is not uncommon and will not damage the cartridge.
5. Each color has its own correct position that is clearly labeled and color coded inside the printer. Keep the ink cartridge in an upright position when you insert it into slot. It will only fit in the correct direction. Press down on the ink cartridge until the hook snaps over it.
6. If you replaced an ink cartridge while “Near Empty” was displayed on the LCD, the LCD may ask you to verify that the replacement cartridge was brand new one. Example: “Did You Change Black? 1.Yes 2.No.” For each new cartridge you installed, press 1 on the dial pad to automatically reset the ink dot counter for that color. If the ink cartridge you installed is not a brand-new one, select 2.