Solved magenta cartridge problem

[bjvhorse]

Having read lots of posts about cartridge recognition problems on the C8180 I have come to the conclusion that HP doesn't have a clue as to the solution.  My solution is that I am on my way to the office supply store to buy a new printer and it will not be an HP!  My husband paid a lot for this printer thinking he was getting me something really good and it has been nothing but trouble.  Epson, here I come.

[smkeller]

agree! im right behind you! this printer is JUNK!!

[A_G_B]

I have a Officejet 8500 pro, and you guessed it, the magenta cartridge has just hemmoraged ink into the bay that houses the cartridges. I have pink ink everywhere, and of course the printer will not work because it keeps telling me to replace the cartridge!!!

I cannot find a solution for this in the customer care section.

[Zan1701]

I'm with you!! I paid a lot for my HP printer too, and never had a problem until now (not printing with magenta and light magenta). My next printer WON'T be an HP either.

[steelpony5555]

When your printer stops printing one or 2 of the colors it means your print head is clogged.  Tech support will have you remove the print head and clean the copper contacts on the bottom, but that is not enough.  Hold the head in a rag and shake it, lots of ink will come out of the inside.  I saw one case where the guy held his print head under hot water till it ran clear.  Not sure of the long term effects on the head if you do that.  Mine has clogged twice now and it has been ink inside the head.

[Zan1701]

Thanks, but that didn't work as I had already cleaned the print heads, and had shaken the cartridges. When I try to print something, it only prints in inks black, cyan, light cyan, and yellow. Pic turn out green, yellow, black and blue. No red related colors at all. However on the Self Test Diagnostic, the magenta/ light magenta does show on the print out, but not on anything else.

[Bob_Headrick]

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steelpony5555 wrote:

When your printer stops printing one or 2 of the colors it means your print head is clogged.  Tech support will have you remove the print head and clean the copper contacts on the bottom, but that is not enough.  Hold the head in a rag and shake it, lots of ink will come out of the inside.  I saw one case where the guy held his print head under hot water till it ran clear.  Not sure of the long term effects on the head if you do that.  Mine has clogged twice now and it has been ink inside the head.

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I would absolutely suggest not shaking the printhead.  Ink is required in the printhead, and if air gets into the printhead it can cause printhead failure.  See this page for an ongoing discussion.

[Bob_Headrick]

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Zan1701 wrote:

Thanks, but that didn't work as I had already cleaned the print heads, and had shaken the cartridges. When I try to print something, it only prints in inks black, cyan, light cyan, and yellow. Pic turn out green, yellow, black and blue. No red related colors at all. However on the Self Test Diagnostic, the magenta/ light magenta does show on the print out, but not on anything else.

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Please read this post then provide some details.  What printer model? What operating system?  Are there any error messages on the printer or computer screen?

[Zan1701]

Purchased replacement ink cartridges via Amazon as I was getting low on ink. Cartridges: HP 02, printer recommends Vivera HP Inks.  Replaced yellow first, then magenta and then light magenta. Display shows full on these three colors. Went to print a picture on photo paper and it came out in yellow, green, black and blue only. The original photo has red and orange in it, but the copy did not include these colors. Ran a diagnostic, cleaned copper heads, even shook the cartridges. Did a second print, but results were the same, yellow-green-black-blue only. Then printed the self test diagnostic page, four of the six colors showed, magenta and light magenta was not there. The screen stated to perform clean print head routine again if the six color bars are not showing or if there are any streaks.

I've always used HP 02 inks and never had this issue in the past.

This for HP Photosmart 3210xi

Connected via USB port

Windows XP home

No error message is issued by printer.

[steelpony5555]

Some people are confused where the print head is on Photo Smart Premium printers that have multiple cartridges. The ink cartridge is NOT the print head. The print ead is under the carrier that holds the 4 cartrides. Pull the 4 cartridges and then ther is a arm on the right to lift and the carrier will come out. Now be careful cause u may get ink all over. If u have one of the printers with the colors all together they have the print head on them. The other style has a hole that feeds ink to the head. Sorry for any confusion. I know this works on them cause it has happpened to/ ine several times now.