Just inserted new color cartridge and continues to give me message that needs new color cartridge. havve tried everything, turned off and on, inserted and re-inserted, made sure tape was off cartridge, the cartridge does have ink when swiped across piece of paper.

If you are using a photo cartridge, in your case the #31 cartridge, insert that in the left carrier where the black cartridge is. Make sure your color cartridge is inserted in the right carrier to continue printing.

Your color cartridge may need some cleaning. Remove the color cartridge from your printer. Then close the printer cover. Use a moistened soft cloth and gently wipe the cartridge nozzles to clean the dirts and clogs. Unplug and replug the printer into the power source to reset it. When the printer turns on, reinsert the color cartridge and make sure it's properly inserted and secured in the cartridge carrier. Try to print again. If error continues, try to insert a different known working color cartridge to determine if the other is faulty.
Source: How to Clean the Print Cartridge Nozzles and Contacts Manually

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 uninstall AND REINSTALL THE DRIVERS..........

hi... try these steps
>unplug power adaptor and plug it back in
>try to identify whick cartridge is giving u trouble..black or colour by inserting carts one by one
>if sam ething happens..contact tech support on 800-332-4120..printer would be replaced

There is a small spring that holds the ink cartridge in the ink holder. You will see it stick out from the right hand side of the ink holder where the ink cartridge slides in. If that spring isn't being held to the ink holder by two plastic tabs, (I.E. the plastic tabs are broken) the printer will never recognize the cartridge. If the printer is still under warranty I would contact HP or an authorized repair center for HP. Both the black and color ink holder has this spring. I know of no way to repair this kind of breakage.

Backup mode means printing with one cartridge. If the printer tells you "cartridge failed", it probably doesn't recognize it. You can try removing it from the printer and gently wipe the electric contacts on the cartridge with a dry cloth. Turn the printer off, turn it back on and reinsert the cartridge. If the message is still there, I suggest you buy a new color cartridge. You can also go to the store where you refilled your cartridges and ask for their opinion, they may be able to help too.

Are you using the right cartridge?
Are the cartridge inserted in the correct way?
Take out the cartridges - Turn off the printer - Turn on the printer - Insert the cartridges again

You will find more help here:

http://www.lexmark.com/lexmark/sequentialem/home/0,6959,204816596_652569478_0_en,00.html

Check if the cartridge was inserted correctly (right slot) (remove it and insert it again)
Check if the cartridge is original and the sticker was removed. Turn off your computer, and your printer. Start up your computer and after your printer. Try again.

If the problem continues, insert the old one cartridge (which was removed before) and see what happen...

If stop asking for install color cartridge, you have failure on your new cartridge
and need to be replaced.

turn off the printer and remove all the power supplies ..
wait for half n hour n again try..