Epson stylus cx8400 cannot recognize ink cartridges

sounds like a bad ink carriage.

From the Epson web site:
Q:
Can the printer still print if an ink cartridge is expended or not installed? A: No. The printer will not operate if any cartridge is expended or removed. It's best to always have extra cartridges on hand.
I do this for fun not $$$.
Jim

1 Remove and Install Cartridges Be sure you have your replacement cartridges handy before you begin. You must install new cartridges immediately after removing the old ones. Caution:
Do not open ink cartridge packages until you are ready to install the ink. Cartridges are vacuum packed to maintain reliability. 1. Turn on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series. If a cartridge is low or expended, you see a message on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series LCD display screen. If a cartridge is expended, you must replace it to be able to print. If a cartridge is low, you can continue printing until the cartridge needs replacement. If you're replacing a cartridge before you see a message on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series LCD display screen, press Setup, select Maintenance, and press OK. Then select Change Ink Cartridge and press OK. 2. Open the scanner. 3. Open the cartridge cover. 4. Squeeze the tab on the cartridge and lift the cartridge straight up to remove it. Dispose of it carefully. Do not take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it. Warning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water. Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. 5. Before opening the new cartridge package, shake it four or five times. (Do not shake a cartridge after opening the package; ink may leak.) 6. Remove the cartridge from the package, but be careful not to touch the green chip on the cartridge. 7. Remove the yellow tape from the bottom of the cartridge. Caution:
Do not remove any other labels or seals, or ink will leak. 8. Insert the new cartridge into the holder and push it down until it clicks into place. 9. Once you replace all the necessary cartridges, close the cartridge cover and push it down until it clicks into place. 10. Close the scanner. 11. Press OK to begin charging the ink. This takes about 2 minutes. When you see a completion message on the LCD display screen, ink charging is finished. Caution:
Never turn off the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series while ink is charging or you'll waste ink.
If you see an ink replacement message on the LCD display screen, press OK and press down all the cartridges securely.

hello

i have this link below that gives you allinformation about your Epson printer. specifically the manual , required for review to address the issue with the ink cartridge error.

Run a Printer Check A printer check will help you determine if the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series is operating properly. 1. Turn off the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series and your computer, if connected. 2. Disconnect any connected USB cables. 3. Load plain paper in the sheet feeder. 4. Press Setup. 5. Select Maintenance and press OK. 6. Select Nozzle Check and press OK. 7. Press Start. 8. The Epson Stylus CX8400 Series begins printing the nozzle check pattern. • If the page prints, your Epson Stylus CX8400 Series is operating. Your problem may be caused by your computer, cable, software, or setting selections. Check for additional solutions or re-install your software. If the pattern on the page has gaps, clean or align the print head. • If the page does not print, the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series may have a problem. Check for additional solutions. If they don't work, contact Epson.

general= http://www.epson.ca/cgi-bin/ceStore/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=90342


manual = http://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/cx84__/cx84__ug/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm

Manual for Epson Stylus CX8400:
Quick reference guide in pdf-format can be downloaded here:
http://files.support.epson.com/pdf/cx84__/cx84__qr.pdf

An overview of all documents and manuals on this site:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Doc&oid=90342&prodoid=63069506&category=Products

Your Printhead for the black cartridge is blocked. You might need to have the printhead replaced.

1. Turn on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series. If a cartridge is low or expended, you see a message on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series LCD display screen. If a cartridge is expended, you must replace it to be able to print. If a cartridge is low, you can continue printing until the cartridge needs replacement. If you’re replacing a cartridge before you see a message on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series LCD display screen, press Setup, select Maintenance, and press OK. Then select Change Ink Cartridge and press OK. 2. Open the scanner.
3. Open the cartridge cover.
4. Squeeze the tab on the cartridge and lift the cartridge straight up to remove it. Dispose of it carefully. Do not take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it.
Warning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water. Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. 5. Before opening the new cartridge package, shake it four or five times. (Do not shake a cartridge after opening the package; ink may leak.)
6. Remove the cartridge from the package, but be careful not to touch the green chip on the cartridge.
7. Remove the yellow tape from the bottom of the cartridge. Caution:
Do not remove any other labels or seals, or ink will leak.
8. Insert the new cartridge into the holder and push it down until it clicks into place.
9. Once you replace all the necessary cartridges, close the cartridge cover and push it down until it clicks into place.
10. Close the scanner.
11. Press OK to begin charging the ink. This takes about 2 minutes. When you see a completion message on the LCD display screen, ink charging is finished. Caution:
Never turn off the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series while ink is charging or you’ll waste ink.
If you see an ink replacement message on the LCD display screen, press OK and press down all the cartridges securely.

If you remove an ink cartridge for later use, protect the ink supply area from dirt and dust and store it in the same environment as the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series with the label facing upward. Note that there is a valve in the ink supply port, making covers or plugs unnecessary, but care is needed to prevent the ink from staining items that the cartridge touches. Do not touch the ink cartridge ink supply port or surrounding area, and do not store the cartridge upside down.

If you remove a low or expended ink cartridge, you cannot reinstall and use the cartridge.

got this from the Epson Site

Remove and Install Cartridges Be sure you have your replacement cartridges handy before you begin. You must install new cartridges immediately after removing the old ones. Caution:
Do not open ink cartridge packages until you are ready to install the ink. Cartridges are vacuum packed to maintain reliability. 1. Turn on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series. If a cartridge is low or expended, you see a message on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series LCD display screen. If a cartridge is expended, you must replace it to be able to print. If a cartridge is low, you can continue printing until the cartridge needs replacement. If you’re replacing a cartridge before you see a message on the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series LCD display screen, press Setup, select Maintenance, and press OK. Then select Change Ink Cartridge and press OK. 2. Open the scanner. 3. Open the cartridge cover. 4. Squeeze the tab on the cartridge and lift the cartridge straight up to remove it. Dispose of it carefully. Do not take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it. Warning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water. Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. 5. Before opening the new cartridge package, shake it four or five times. (Do not shake a cartridge after opening the package; ink may leak.) 6. Remove the cartridge from the package, but be careful not to touch the green chip on the cartridge. 7. Remove the yellow tape from the bottom of the cartridge. Caution:
Do not remove any other labels or seals, or ink will leak. 8. Insert the new cartridge into the holder and push it down until it clicks into place. 9. Once you replace all the necessary cartridges, close the cartridge cover and push it down until it clicks into place. 10. Close the scanner. 11. Press OK to begin charging the ink. This takes about 2 minutes. When you see a completion message on the LCD display screen, ink charging is finished. Caution:
Never turn off the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series while ink is charging or you’ll waste ink.
If you see an ink replacement message on the LCD display screen, press OK and press down all the cartridges securely.

If you remove an ink cartridge for later use, protect the ink supply area from dirt and dust and store it in the same environment as the Epson Stylus CX8400 Series with the label facing upward. Note that there is a valve in the ink supply port, making covers or plugs unnecessary, but care is needed to prevent the ink from staining items that the cartridge touches. Do not touch the ink cartridge ink supply port or surrounding area, and do not store the cartridge upside down.

If you remove a low or expended ink cartridge, you cannot reinstall and use the cartridge.

The cartridge (magenta-69) with the new unit was dried out !!

I purchased a new one and everything works fine !

Not impressed !

on the printer push setup, then push ink levels from there you should be able to select the change cartridge and be good to go

WW