Cartridge problems I have installed refilled cartridges and the printer won't print at all. I refill a geuine cartridge "insitu" and it stops printing. At the moment I have refurbished cartridges in the unit & black works but colour won't. It says in all these situations that I have to remove the tape as there's an alignment problem. I think I've checked the tape 10,000 times but alas, it ain't there. I will use this P.O.C as a boat anchor as soon as I use the cartidges I have just bought (if I can use them). HELP

Smash printer with axe or sledgehammer. Grin maniacally. After researching on internet,go out & buy new printer that allows you to print till empty & refill again! Obviously not a Lexmark...

you damaged the gold contacts. Now you have to buy a new cartridge.

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!

CL41, this is the one you are using for your cartridge.

Did you change your cartridge with brand new one or refilled one??

If you did with refilled one, the ink level won't go back with full.

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This is the method how printer measures the ink level.

1. Each cartridge has a serial number.
2. As soon as installation in printer, printer recognizes the cartridge by serial #.
3. And the printer starts to count the printing document.
4. After reaching certain print counting, the ink level will show "low ink"

So my answer is even if you refilled your cartridge, the ink level won't change,
since printer cannot weight the cartridge or.....some other technology to measure each color ink level.

Thanks.

You have to refill both.

Well, you must be using PG30, CL31 cartridge for your printer.

Did you refill your cartridge?
For error 051 means printer is not reading the cartridge. (cartridge is not readable)
When you put refilled cartridge, that's what it happens.
(after 3~4 times of color refill, color cartridge is no long to use, only applies in Canon
and there is no solution for it.)

Pls replace with new one.. and will work again.

Or if you need to refill again with other cartridge, pls....unplug your printer before you taking out the cartridge. In this way, you can re use your cartridge. Little trick... but no solution will work, once cartridge is not readable.

If you would like to save money, try refill kit by "ROADINK".
Not only they are easy, but also the printing quality is good.
For your better understanding pls check out my youtube video.
And will see how easy ink refill can be done.

You used one of the worst refill services available. There's a reason they have a flat rate for refills, they use non cartridge specific inks, don't clean out the cartridge, and have a machine not a person do the thinking and the work for them. You will have similar failure on cartridges refilled by Walgreens, Office Max, and cheap online refills. I suggest Cartridge World first then Office Depot for refills. They have high quality standards and recycle your cartridges by refilling them.

HP printers do not remember the cartridge serial number to reject refills (certain Canon printers do though). It sounds like you have an air bubble in the sponge that is inhibiting ink from reaching the print head. I would guess that either you or the store/internet seller that refilled this cartridge hand filled it. These cartridges should be filled under a vacuum to remove air bubbles from the sponge and allow you to fully fill the cartridge (an air bubble takes up space that your ink could be occupying). I recommend Cartridge World or Office Depot for refills. Avoid internet sellers and refill shops that have one giant all-in-one machine that does the filling for them.

How can I Reset Memory For Lexmark X4550

I tried all the above and it is stll not reading the ink levels.