Alignment failed I haven't been using this printer for about a year and when i decided to recently, i was not able to see my picture. The printer is in motion and ink is full but the printer paper comes out clean white. (The ink is about a couple months old). I've tried aligning it but it also failed. I tried numerous times to fix it. Should i get a new ink cartilage or a new printer?

Regarding your recent inquiry about the HP 564 cartridge error ("Alignment Failed") which is preventing printing to your HP printer, please perform the following steps to see if the issue can be corrected....



NOTE: For "incorrect cartridge / "missing or damaged" error messages, please attempt to bypass the error message by selecting \'Ok\' on the printer several times. NOTE: You may also need to load the FULL printer driver versions from HP\'s website; once installed you should be able to bypass error messages via the various alert / windows prompts. Additional corrective action suggestions are provided below.





DIAGNOSTIC TESTS / RECOVERY SUGGESTIONS:



1) If you received an "Unauthorized ink", "non-HP ink", "counterfeit ink" or similar message, you can simply ignore/dismiss these messages by pressing \'OK\' once for each cartridge, so that the printer resumes its normal operation. If you do not have the full printer driver version installed it is possible that you may not be able to see the cartridge error bypass option - you may need to install the complete printer driver version for your computer\'s operating system. Receiving these kinds of ongoing alert messages is COMPLETELY NORMAL when using refilled ink cartridges. Refer to NOTE 2 below for more information. Refilling the ink cartridges does not include reprogramming of the ink cartridges, so this will not be a factor: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1407



2) Remove ink cartridge and inspect cartridge\'s smart chip surface (i.e. gold contacts) - check for scratches or ink residue. See pictures of cartridge chips at following link for reference (see \'Abnormal Cartridge Errors\'): http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1925

- Replace cartridge if suspected damaged.



3) Perform Tap 41 PRINTHEAD Health Diagnostics Test (menu access varies by printer model, refer to HP printer diagnostics document, page 45, to view normal display messages, http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1813 )



1. Turn ON the printer.

2. Press and Hold the "Print Photos" & "Red Eye Removal" buttons.

3. Release both buttons - screen should display "Enter Special Key Combo"

4. Press and release in sequence the "Red Eye Removal", "Print Photos", and then "Red Eye Removal"

5. Scroll through the menu by pressing the right arrow button until the display says \'Special Reports\'.

6. Select Ok, then press the arrow button 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.

8. Select Ok. The test page prints. If not, repeat steps 2-7 and enter \'code = 43\', select Ok.

9. Check the 4th line at the top of the printed report; an electrically good/stable PRINTHEAD \'Pen Status\' will state "Pen Status: Pen OK".........if any other message is displayed then the PRINTHEAD may have failed and may need to be replaced (as available). It is suggested to perform the \'Printer Reset\' procedure below to rule out printer firmware related problem.

a. If Step 2. does not allow service menu access, then press the \'Return\' and \'Home\' keys simultaneously so the Engineering Menu is displayed [or depress the \'Return\' button four (4) times]

b. Select Service Menu. Use arrow keys to advance to the Special Reports Menu. Select OK. Perform steps 6-9.



NOTE: The Tap 10 extended self-test print may also be initiated via \'code = 10\' (use to verify ink nozzle/jetting performance for each color).



premature of the PRINTHEAD has nothing to do with refilled ink cartridges; the PRINTHEAD assembly is a separate electronic unit in which the cartridges plug into and feed ink into. Refer to NOTE below.





4) Replace ink cartridge with a new HP ink cartridge to completely rule out the ink cartridge as the cause of failure.



5) To rule out printer/cartridge connectivity (assembly interface/connection) issues please ensure you have followed all steps on the Inkjet411 support page - this includes PRINTHEAD removal and thorough cleaning of the electrical surfaces on the PRINTHEAD and on the CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1451



a. Remove all 4/5 ink cartridges, then remove the internal PRINTHEAD and thoroughly clean rear electrical contacts and carriage electrical contacts. Inspect ink foam ports to see if they are \'wet with ink\'...this will confirm whether ink is being pulled into the PRINTHEAD or not. If the ink foam ports are completely dry (no significant amount of ink present when blotted with a paper towel, etc.), then the PRINTHEAD is likely considered too dry to support proper ink flow and subsequent printing operations. Refer to PRINTHEAD removal process at HP.com (link down below) or at the following Inkjet411 link to provide general guidance: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1451



6) If after thorough electrical contact cleaning the problem persists, you may need to replace the PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY (i.e. get from HP or Amazon), however, as a last ditch effort, you might want to perform a hot water flush on the PRINTHEAD: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=2412



a. Remove all ink cartridges from the printer.

b. Remove the printhead - in most cases you will need to pull up on the lever at right side of carriage assembly to unlock the printhead. Lift printhead straight up to remove.

c. Over a sink, run warm tap water directly into the 4 (or 5) ink ports for approximately 2 minutes - this will effectively saturate the foam ports and blow ink out/thru the nozzle plate bottom.

d. Using a lint-free towel, remove water from rear/bottom electrical contacts. Ensure printhead electrical contacts and exposed surfaces are fully dry.

e. Install the printhead into the printer. You may observe a "Replace Printhead message" so you will need to cycle printer power by turning printer off and then on to clear the error.

f. Install ink cartridges and retest printer. You should observe a New PRINTHEAD alert message followed by an approx. 4-minute preparation countdown prompt.

g. If permissible, activate the \'Clean Printhead\'. This can be done from the printer\'s control panel or software printer driver (for example, by selecting \'Tools\' - \'Clean Printhead\', or similar).

h. If you have reached this point of the troubleshooting and all the previous troubleshooting steps did not work, then the printhead is likely damaged or at end of life* and may need to be replaced.



NOTE: On some HP printer models it may be difficult to remove the PRINTHEAD assembly, consult your User\'s Guide for specific instructions.



7) If this does not remedy the problem, then you may have a defective PRINTHEAD in the printer (worst case scenario), unrelated to the refilled cartridges.**



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ADDITIONAL NOTES:



However, if you observe missing colors or poor image quality then air may have been accidentally ingested into the ink lines between the cartridge(s) and PRINTHEAD. To recover from this problem, you will have to run the "Clean Printhead" procedure 1-2 times to recover the ink system. Watch the video on the HP support page which describes some of the common issues you may encounter with refilled ink cartridges. This type of problem is common and completely recoverable.

http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1407





NOTE 1: The HP 564 printer models have an electronic PRINTHEAD within the base of the carriage assembly (responsible for pulling ink from the 4 (or 5) ink cartridges and then firing the ink droplets onto the paper) - these will eventually fail depending on print usage type and printer duty cycle (i.e. rated for ~8,000 printed pages over life, but the consumer average is typically closer ~5,000 pages). The printhead is replaceable and can be ordered directly from HP.com. For information on how the PRINTHEAD functions, please watch the following video: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=2054





**Typically the printhead should not reach it\'s end-of-life until after a minimum of 8 or more complete sets of cartridge changes; officejet models typically have a higher print page throughput average, but this is not always the case. While some printheads may last 15,000+ pages others may only last 3000 pages, actual results will vary. The printhead will eventually fail in time due to an internal micro-electronics failure, due to the following leading factors: general customer print usage and printer care, printer duty cycle (i.e. # pages printed per month), printing frequency (i.e. time between each print job), print mode (i.e. draft vs. normal) and content printed (i.e. photos vs plain pages) and color mode (black and white only vs. color/greyscale printing).



Paper types used (i.e. plain paper, photo papers & matte/heavy bond papers) and paper edge curl (i.e. duration in printer and/or exposure to low relative humidity) can also quickly lead to ********* printhead failures due to physical \'head strikes\' of the paper edges making repeated contact with the printhead nozzle plate surfaces.



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CAUTION: the use of compatible/clone cartridges (i.e. sold thru the internet from overseas) are known to be problematic and may cause printer errors and permanent PRINTHEAD damage (due to incompatible ink formulations). We do NOT suggest refilling these types of ink cartridges.....refilling of HP 564 original/genuine ink cartridges is only suggested!



HP 564 Ink Refilling Services & Additional Cautions:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlcY9jKXTvs

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If you need to purchase a new ink cartridge(s) and are trying to cut costs, 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, come with a 1-year warranty and provide free shipping for all orders above $20.



Please let us know if the error condition persists. For any additional questions please contact us directly: [email protected]



-Thank you

Go to Control panel. Click on Printer and Faxes. Right click on your printer icon. Click on Properties on the drop don menu. In the properties click on Maintenance Tab. Click on print-head alignment on the drop down menu/tab. Check the printed page after the alignment is completed. If not OK carry it on again till you get the right print.

I have the same problem...help anyone?

Many printers need the heads aligned once you install them. Some printers will do a high level alignment however to properly allign them you should use the tools section for your printer and click the align cartridge/heads selection. If you don't see the maintenance/tools tab when you open your printer from control panel, you may be using the generic Microsoft driver and need to install the drivers from the manufacture.

Hi, if you haven`t opened the covers yet your tubes are fine .. you can`t move them without removing the rear covers, if you have a 3d look ie; colors are seperated your convergence circuit has failed, stk`s will have to be replaced which requires soldering equipment, video-tek

A simple question first - have you removed the protective tape from the bottom of the cartridges? What kind of printer is it? I suggest you unplug the printer for a few minutes and then try again. Are they the manufacturer's cartridges or a lower cost brand? If they are the latter, it's possible they won't work with your printer.

Anytime you remove the cartridge the printer wants to align the print head. It doesn't matter whether you used it or not as long as you change/remove and/or install a new or old cartridge, it will ask to align. If you are printing text only and no pictures, then usually alignment is not critical. Though from experience, it is but usually 9 times out of 10 I don't need to re-align. But if you want to print pictures then you must align.

Question: Did you align it? And does it print ok?

It is almost two years i started using this printer but recently whenever i;m printing with this printer, i get a report; " Cam Platten Error" and my document fails to print. Please help me.

You can get this sometimes in Publisher programmes, it's a glitch, but also check cartridge alignment. If your not happy uninstal printer driver, disconnect printer and re instal driver first then re connect your printer.