I have a lexmark x1240 and just installed a new cartridge. I keep getting an error message that says " print cartridge missing" install print cartridge even though both cartridges are in the printer.

Hi there

You should always mention the printer model as well as what operating system you use.

This is what i found on LEXMARK's website about your error, and it seems you have one or 2 faulty cartridges, or you are using compatible cartridges instead of Lexmark Originals:

Problem Error messages; Error: "Cartridge Error 50C"; Cartridge error; Black cartridge missing; Color cartridge missing Solution Cartridge Error 50C
Your print cartridge has shorted.

1. Power off your All-in-One and unplug it.


2. Plug in your All-in-One again and turn it on.


3. Uninstall and then reinstall your cartridges.


4. If this does not resolve the issue, try the troubleshooting steps for the other cartridge errors below.
   

Error: Black Cartridge Missing
The black cartridge is not installed. (Install cartridge PN 82)
Error: Color Cartridge Missing
The color cartridge is not installed (Install cartridge PN 83)
Cartridge Error
Complete the following instructions:

1. Power off your All-in-One.


2. Use both hands to lift up the scanner unit until the scanner support holds it open.


3. Turn the All-in-One on. The print cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position, unless the All-in-One is busy.


4. Remove the color print cartridge.


5. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.


6. If the error message reappears, replace the black print cartridge with a new print cartridge.
   If it does not repeat steps 1-3 and then go to step 7.


7. Reinstall the color cartridge and remove the black print cartridge.


8. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.


9. If the error message occurs again, replace the color cartridge.


10. If an error message reappears, repeat steps 1-3 and reinstall both print cartridges.


11. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.


12. If you receive the error message again, replace both cartridges.

Hope it helps

Andre

The Lexmark machines are designed to kick out anything it suspects may be refilled. If your old cartridge has bad print nozzles this may be tripping the error. Printers are typically for sensitive with their color cartridges anyway because the manufacturers make more money on the color ones. You can try looking around the settings on the machine and in the printer preferences to see if you can tell it to ignore the ink levels and see if you can continue to print.

Error messages; Error: "Cartridge Error 50C"; Cartridge error; Black cartridge missing; Color cartridge missing Solution Cartridge Error 50C
Your print cartridge has shorted.

1. Power off your All-in-One and unplug it.
   
2. Plug in your All-in-One again and turn it on.
   
3. Uninstall and then reinstall your cartridges.
   
4. If this does not resolve the issue, try the troubleshooting steps for the other cartridge errors below.
   

Error: Black Cartridge Missing
The black cartridge is not installed. (Install cartridge PN 82)
Error: Color Cartridge Missing
The color cartridge is not installed (Install cartridge PN 83)
Cartridge Error
Complete the following instructions:

1. Power off your All-in-One.
   
2. Use both hands to lift up the scanner unit until the scanner support holds it open.
   
3. Turn the All-in-One on. The print cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position, unless the All-in-One is busy.
   
4. Remove the color print cartridge.
   
5. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.
   
6. If the error message reappears, replace the black print cartridge with a new print cartridge.
   If it does not repeat steps 1-3 and then go to step 7.
   
7. Reinstall the color cartridge and remove the black print cartridge.
   
8. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.
   
9. If the error message occurs again, replace the color cartridge.
   
10. If an error message reappears, repeat steps 1-3 and reinstall both print cartridges.
    
11. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.
    
12. If you receive the error message again, replace both cartridges.

You may want to remove the power brick at the back of your printer, wait a few seconds and reinsert back. Then try the steps listed in the user guide to install new carts, page 42.

http://www.lexmark.com/publications/pdfs/x5150/eng/ug.pdf

Is that an error code "Cartridge Error 50C" ? If so, see below....

Cartridge Error 50C: Your print cartridge has shorted.
1. Power off your All-in-One and unplug it.
2. Plug in your All-in-One again and turn it on.
3. Uninstall and then reinstall your cartridges.
4. If this does not resolve the issue, try the troubleshooting steps for the other cartridge errors below.

Error: Black Cartridge Missing - The black cartridge is not installed. (Install cartridge PN 82)
Error: Color Cartridge Missing - The color cartridge is not installed (Install cartridge PN 83)

Cartridge Error: Complete the following instructions:
1. Power off your All-in-One.
2. Use both hands to lift up the scanner unit until the scanner support holds it open.
3. Turn the All-in-One on. The print cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position, unless the All-in-One is busy.
4. Remove the color print cartridge.
5. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.
6. If the error message reappears, replace the black print cartridge with a new print cartridge.
If it does not repeat steps 1-3 and then go to step 7.
7. Reinstall the color cartridge and remove the black print cartridge.
8. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.
9. If the error message occurs again, replace the color cartridge.
10. If an error message reappears, repeat steps 1-3 and reinstall both print cartridges.
11. Lower the scanner unit until it is completely closed.
12. If you receive the error message again, replace both cartridges.

Good day Sir, Please check the power switch light if blinking.

• power light blinking slow - printer is out of paper.
• power light blinking fast - there is paper jam in paper.
• once, pauses and blinks again - raise the scanner unit, and remove any objects blocking the path of the printer cartridge carrier. Or the print cartridge is missing/ not installed properly. Or the printer cartridge is not the correct type for the printer.

Have a nice day.

It seems the cartridge you have changed is not accepted by your printer.
Make sure you have changed the same no cartridge.
pull out the cartridge and and fix it again make sure after placing at will no shaking in printer.

May this will help you.

Even with out the Black cartridge installed the X1240 should use the color cart to make a "composite" black. I would suggest calling Technical support to troubleshoot that issue ad get you to test the cart itself

Print Cartridge(s) Missing
The following print cartridges appear to be missing, not detected, or incorrectly installed:
Cartridge on Right
Cartridge on Left

1. On your PC, go to Start, Programs (Windows XP: All Programs), Lexmark series.
2. Select the Solution Center.
3. When the Solution Center appears, click on the Maintenance button.
4. Select the option to Install a new print cartridge. The carrier should slide over at this point and allow you to insert and/or remove cartridges.
5. Make sure the correct cartridges are installed inside the printer first, then inform the software which cartridges have been installed. Note: This applies also to installation of a single cartridge.
6. Print the Print Alignment page to ensure the print quality is satisfactory.
7. Close the Solution Center.