RICOH AFICIO GX3000 SF. PURCHASED OCT 2009. SERIAL R3178000026. RAN OUT OF MAGENTA COLOUR. REPLACED WITH REFILL. WORKED FOR ONE DAY THEN MESSAGE SAID REPLACE MAGENTA CARTRIDGE AGAIN. ASSUMED CARTRIDGE FAULTY. CONTACTED SUPPLIER WHO SENT A REPLACEMENT. FITTED REPLACEMENT. STILL DOESNT WORK.RICOH WONT HELP AS OUT OF 2 YEAR GUARANTEE. TRUST YOU CAN ASSIST. THANK YOU.

There is a computer chip in the cartridges that monitors the ink level. If you are going to refill the cartridge instead of purchasing a new one, the only way to make that work is to stop using it before it gets low enough to trigger the comuter chip. When the ink level goes low enough to report it is running out, there is no turning back for that cartridge. If you refill before that point, they usually continue operating as normal.

There are numerous problems with using the refill method instead of purchasing a new cartridge. Once the seal is broken to add ink, they can leak into the printer and cause damage. Companies that sell refilled cartridges can replace the ink level sensor and by pass the problem to guaranty their product will work in your printer. Using refilled cartridges voids your warranty, so I will not suggest using them.

Now lets work on the problem with your printer and get it running again.

I have a couple of questions for you.

You mentioned you used a refilled cartridge and it worked for a day before it stopped. You also said you contacted a supplier who sent a replacement.

Please clarify the following for me:

Did you refill a cartridge yourself and it worked for a day before stopping, and then you bought another cartridge from a supplier and it still does not work? If this is the case, tell me what happens when you try to print? Does the unit not respond? Is there an error on the display? Does the printer say its out of ink when you try and print? Are there flashing lights indicating a problem? When you removed the old cartridge and inserted the fitted replacement, did the printer recognize that a catridge had been removed and then recognize that a new cartridge was installed?

Troubleshooting instructions depend on your answers to the above. Please send me your answers using the comment or reply link next to your question posted on Fixya. Or email me at [email protected].

Did you buy a refilled cartridge from a company who sells them and it worked for a day before stopping so you contacted the supplier who gave you another refilled cartridge which still does not work?

If so, please tell me what happens when you try and print? Is the unit responding? Remove the cartridge from the printer. Turn the printer off, leaving the cartridge out. Wait a minute or so and turn it back on. Does the printer say that the cartridge is missing or not installed? Put the cartridge back in the unit, and tell me if it recognizes that a cartridge has been installed? Does the printer say the cartridge is still out of ink? Is there an error code on the display? If so, what is it?

If there are no errors displayed and the problem is that the printer just does not do anything when you try and print with the cartridge installed - then check for pending documents in your print que that might need to be deleted. Pending documents will cause it not to print until cleared.

To check your print que, click on the arrow next to the clock on the bottom right side of your pc screen. See if there is a picture of a printer and if so, right click with your mouse on top of that Icon and open the print que. If you see documents pending, click on each one and choose delete or cancel until there are none left. Once the que is empty, try printing a test page and see if this solves your issue.

Please send your answers to clarify the problem as soon as possible and I will help you troubleshoot and repair this printer. Thank you for using Fixya!