Message : Black ink cartridge empty , order new one

I would first check to see how low the color cartridge is. If it is out of ink, you will need to replace it.
Your Lexmark has two cartridges, one for colors and one for black.
To check the level of the ink cartridges, go to the Lexmark Solution Center. This is the software that was installed to run you Lexmark printer.
Check the cartridge ink level images that appear on each tab. If a cartridge is low, or if you have received an Ink Low message on the computer screen, install a new cartridge. An empty or low cartridge is marked with an exclamation point ( ! ).

To order print cartridges:

1 }}--> }}-->Open the }}--> }}-->Lexmark Solution Center .

2 }}--> }}-->Click the Contact Information tab.

3 }}--> }}-->Click Ordering Ink and Supplies.
For help installing a cartridge, go to How to install the print cartridge.

“Lexmark does not support the refilling of its ink cartridges. Refilling the ink cartridges can cause them to leak, thus clogging or even damaging the print head. Any damage to your printer caused by refilled ink cartridges may not be covered under warranty”. Please use genuine Lexmark cartridges for best results.

In their determination to keep you purchasing their ink whether you like it or not, Lexmark has circuitry built into their ink cartridges that based on measured use tell the printer when the cartridge theoretically should be empty, whether it is or not.

In the case of the black cartridge they are somewhat more lenient than in the case of the color cartridge. Eventually, when the circuitry tells the printer that the black cartridge should be empty it will continue to be refillable, and work, but will present the owner with annoying messages ranging from "you're using an unauthentic cartridge" to other things. The best thing to do in this case is to check the box that pops up telling it not to continue giving you the annoying messages. This works, but eventually may start again, after which you again check the box telling it to stop. It's quite livable though.

In the case of the color cartridge the built in circuitry will eventually tell the printer that the cartridge is empty, even if it's not because you have properly refilled it, and it simply will not function any longer. You've just wasted your ink. Natually they don't want to see you destroy your printer, which costs less than purchasing only two of their 2400% profit ink cartridges. Good luck.

For that printer: there are 4 color and 4 black cartridges BESIDES the #31 photo cartridge. Lexmark has made it so you MUST either, throw away or send to them, the 36 and 37, the 36XL and 37XL. The printer will never again recognize them after they are removed from the printer...
However, the 36XLA and 37XLA AND the 36A and 37A as well as the 31 Photo may be removed from the printer, refilled, and reinstalled.

I have seen some forums that say you can but a piece of BLACK tape, across the bottom row of contacts on the non-refillable cartridges....I believe there are 4 to 7 contacts across the bottom row only.....and the printer will still give you a message that it needs ink.....but it WILL print. I have not tested this theory yet though. I have just gotten the first message saying my black ink is very low.

Hope this helps and I think Lexmark Corporation Sucks for tricking people like this. (This printer comes with the NON refillable cartridges as default, but I did NOT see in the documentation that it couldn't be refilled. Nasty people........:(

Good Luck~~! [email protected]

“Lexmark does not support the refilling of its ink cartridges. Refilling the ink cartridges can cause them to leak, thus clogging or even damaging the print head. Any damage to your printer caused by refilled ink cartridges may not be covered under warranty”. Please use genuine Lexmark cartridges for best results.

“Lexmark does not support the refilling of its ink cartridges. Refilling the ink cartridges can cause them to leak, thus clogging or even damaging the print head. Any damage to your printer caused by refilled ink cartridges may not be covered under warranty”. Please use genuine Lexmark cartridges for best results.

Take out all cartridges, switch printer off and then on again and let printer see that there are no cartridges. Do this 5 times, it resets the cartridges. Then install refilled cartridges

There are a couple ways to trick it into accepting the cartridge. You can put a different one in, take it out and then put the filled one in. Or you can find a refill kit with instructions on what contacts to cover with tape and you have to do it 2 or 3 times to get the printer to reset. Sometimes you can shut off the computer and printer for 20 min and start it up again. Or you can get the sledge hammer and smash the stupid printer before it sucks up your life savings and vow never to buy from a company that profits from causing problems that they tell you can only be solved by using more of their overpriced solutions.

cucujo, you were not as lucky as lovetofish! Sooner or later the printer will win.
The money for printer manufactures is not in the printer, it's in the ink refills. With this in mind many printer Mfg's have added small chips to their ink cartridges. These chips track the amount of times the printer prints. The software knows you are adding ink to the cartridges. Many people find they can get around this by keeping their old cartridges & refilling. Some HP users keep as many old cartridges as three. Rotating ink cartridges. This seems to work for most printers. Suggest you try the same. Continue to fill you're ink cartridge but replace with a new cartridge. When it empties replace with another new. The next three will be re-filled ink cartridges. Always refill as soon as possible, never turn ink cartridges on their sides. Keep refilled cartridges in an airless zip-lock bag, in a cool & dark place when storing.

Mike

kiwipom, While ink cartridges look like plastic cups that only hold ink...they are not. The information the printer needs to think it has a "NEW" set of ink cartridges is on the cartridge itself. You must fakeout the printer to believe you are inserting "new lexmark" inks. Printer companies make money from the repeated sale of the ink, not the printer itself. I had an old epson that I would refill I would then have to place pieces of tape on the cartridge turn the printer on, remove the cartridge move the tape to another side of the cartridge turn on again etc. Anyway lexmark may need the same. When the new original cartridges show try them first to get the printer "thinking" correctly. Let me know what happens. Good Luck, Tim