Many users complain that their printer has stopped printing after they replaced its empty ink cartridge with a new ink cartridge. Although this problem may seem tricky to solve, there are a few standard solutions, which when applied properly can resolve this issue. Therefore, if your printer is not printing after changing the ink cartridge, then read the following step-by-step guide to fix this issue.
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How to Fix if the Printer Is Not Printing After Changing Ink Cartridge
There can be multiple reasons which can stop your printer from printing documents after you install an ink cartridge. There is no use going into each reason, therefore, to save your time and effort we are sharing below some general suggestions, which can surely help resolve this issue. You can follow these solutions one-by-one or you can apply the one which you think is applicable in your case.
Solution 1: Remove Protective Strip from Ink Cartridge
A brand-new ink cartridge has a plastic strip attached to it, which is placed to stop the ink leakage from the cartridge. Therefore, you must remove that protective tape from your cartridge before you install the ink cartridge on your printer so that your printer can detect the cartridge properly.
If this solution didn’t help you, then try the next one.
Solution 2: Insert Ink Cartridge Properly
Ink cartridges are designed in such a way that they make a click sound when they are properly set in their place. Sometimes, users insert the new cartridge without making sure that the ink cartridge is inserted properly or not.
While inserting the cartridge be gentle, but firm and wait for the cartridge to snap into its place. Doing this is extremely important for your printer so that it can print from the new ink cartridge.
Solution 3: Check Ink Cartridge Lever
Sometimes, while installing the new ink cartridge on the cartridge carriage the lever moves away from its original position. In such a scenario, your printer will be unable to detect the new ink cartridge, even if its properly installed.
Therefore, make sure that the lever on your printer has returned to its original position. If not, then move it to its original place and your problem will be solved.
Solution 4: Reset Ink Cartridge Counter
Some printers have a cartridge reset feature. This feature allows you to force your printer to identify the new ink cartridge and use it for printing. As an example, we have explained the steps for resetting the ink cartridge on an inkjet printer.
- Remove the USB cable and power cable from your printer.
- Open the cover of your printer, then press and hold the ‘Power’, ‘Resume’ or ‘Stop/Reset’ button on your printer.
- While holding the button pressed in the previous step, reconnect the USB cable and the power cable. If you have pressed the ‘Power’ button, then your printer will start automatically. Otherwise, while holding the ‘Resume’ or ‘Stop/Reset’ button, press the ‘Power’ button to restart your printer.
- Close the cover of your printer, then release the pressed button.
The above steps will help you reset ink cartridge counter in some printers, but it’s just an example. If you want to know the exact process of resetting the ink cartridge of your inkjet printer, then you should read the documentation of your specific printer model or visit the printer support page on the website of the printer manufacturer.
Solution 5: Print Test Page
Sometimes there is problem with the software from which you are sending the print job. Therefore, to make sure that the problem is with the printer and not the software you should try printing a test page.
- Go to the ‘Devices and Printers’ inside the ‘Control Panel’. Then, right click your printer icon and choose ‘Printer Properties’ from the options.
- In the Properties window, under General tab, click on the ‘Print Test Page’ button.
- Wait for the test page to print from your printer.
If your printer prints the test page properly, then there is no problem with your printer and the fault is with the software, which you were using to send print commands.
Solution 6: Perform Head Cleaning
Sometimes you install an ink cartridge which is brand-new, but was sitting on the storage shelf from a long time. In such cases, the ink in the cartridge dries out which blocks its pores, thus, making it difficult for your printer to print from the ink cartridge. If your printer has the ink cartridge head cleaning function, then you can use it to clean the head of your ink cartridges.
- Press and hold the ‘Cleaning’ button on the control panel of your printer, until the cartridge cleaning starts. Then, wait for the cleaning process to complete.
After the ink cartridge head cleaning has completed successfully, you should try to print a test page to determine whether your problem has been resolved or not.
Solution 7: Check Compatibility
If you are using an ink cartridge which has been refilled or has been manufactured by someone who isn’t authorized by the manufacturer of your printer, then you are bound to encounter compatibility issues. One such issue is the inability of your printer to detect or print from the new ink cartridge.
If you are using a refilled cartridge, then the air bubbles can trap ink inside the cartridge, thus, blocking the ink flow. You can solve this problem by gently tapping the ink cartridge on a table to dislodge the bubbles and enable the ink flow. Finally, install the cartridge back into the printer.
If you are unsure whether the cartridge is compatible with your printer manufacturer or not, then you should ask for the relevant details from the cartridge seller.
Solution 8: Check Other Errors
Sometimes indicator lights on your printer are flashing/blinking when your printer is unable to print pages. Use the documentation of the printer to determine the error which is signified by the blinking of the indicator light. Also, you can visit the printer manufacturer’s website for more information about that error.
If your printer is not printing after changing ink cartridge, then the solutions given above can be of great help to you. However, even after applying all the above solutions, if you were unable to resolve the issue, then we would recommend you to contact the support staff of your printer manufacturer.