Photosmart C6380 Ink Usage - 66 pages of text? [ Edited ]

[IrishKiwi]

Guys,

I think I may have a problem.  I have printed 66 pages of normal text (not 50% black or the like) and two small test photos on the 6x4 photo paper that came with the printer and now the printer is saying it needs more Black HP 564 ink.  This cannot be right.  I should get at least 100+ pages surely.  The typical usage (page yeild) is 250 for this cartridge and the status screen shows 30%+ still black, but it says Black Ink Cartridge: Ink Alert and will not print.

Does this sound reasonable?  If so it appear to be drinking ink quicker than an alcoholic !

Update - I did notice on another post that someone said the initial cartridges will use more ink.  These were my first set so there was a bit of set up, but it did NOT print reams or paper to do that.  Not sure if this info helps. 

Is there any way for me to tell it to continue printing until the ink runs out?

Any help or other user experience appreciated. 

Message Edited by IrishKiwi on 09-25-2009 05:30 PM

Message Edited by IrishKiwi on 09-25-2009 05:31 PM

[Arv]

Hi there,

Issue

The 'Ink Alert' or 'Low on Ink' message displays on the computer or on the product control panel.

Solution

Press or click OK on the product control panel or on the error message to continue printing.

  NOTE: Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When an indicator shows low ink levels, consider having a replacement ink cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. Print quality deteriorates as cartridges run out of ink.

First advise would be to do a power cycle reset;

• Press the Power button to turn off the product.
• Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product.
• Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet.
• Wait 30 seconds.
• Reconnect the power cord to the electrical outlet.
• Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.
• Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product. 

Try to use the unit again after that. When the problem persists; Do you have a replacement cartridge available? If yes, I would advise you to try the replacement and see whether that still shows the same issue. 

[IrishKiwi]

Arvid,

Thanks for your reply. I figured that out after a while and have placed and order for more ink.

I shall keep an eye on it to see how much it drinks and post when I have some mileage numbers. Just seemed a little thirsty to me.

TTFN - Chris  

[Manic]

I have this printer, it ships with partial ink in cartridge I was told. This printer, even in fast draft sucks up more ink than any printer I ever used! I've had it a year and I'm highly disappointed.

[IrishKiwi]

Hey, I'm on my second lot of ink now, full new XL cartridges so I'll keep you posted.

Seems ok so far, but other reviews I read AFTER I purchased it said they drink ink like a dying man in a desert!

But to be fair, let's see how it goes, because cost per page if it does what they say, it would seem to stack up against the Epson R350 series etc...

TTFN - Chris

[snadvik]

See my comment on the other string re ink problems with the C6380:

Same experience. I've given up and reinstalled my old 930C deskjet which I use for printing. The C6380 now only functions as a rather expensive scanner! Pity HP hasn't come up with a solution because none of us will buy an HP product again until they do.

[madguru76]

Your fears with this printer are totally founded.

I am getting maybe 50-60 pages printing in draft quality. I cringe everytime the wife or kids goes to print. It costs about $50 to replace all the ink so you are paying like a $1 page.

Ill never buy another HP printer after being hood winked on this one.

[verydisappointd]

I can't believe how much HP has screwed us. We have had this printer over a year and a half, and I will admit we are on our third batch of ink, including the one that came with our printer. Sounds pretty good, right? But we dont print that often, only a few pictures and some text. It seems that whenever I do go to print something, the ink levels are low. I read that the reason HP made individual ink cartridges is to save the users money, but how does it save us money if they always all go at once? Its like $50 to get all new ink! And at every couple months, thats deplorable. I'm sure there have been lots of complaints, look at this thread, so HP knows about our feelings, how can they sleep at night?

Now, does anyone know of a GOOD QUALITY printer that wont use the ink up over night? I figure if HP can screw us out of $150+ (just for the printer) and then $100+ more for the ink, we can screw them out of some business. Dont like that HP? Then do something about this problem.

[Ciara_B]

Hi all

I appreciate your frustration. The XL cartridges will give higher average yields, as shown on the page yield site below

http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/yields/PSAIOC6300_page.html?cCode=us

Below is some info describing how page yield is measured & some background to the ink usage in printers

http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/articles/inkjetPageYields.html?cCode=us

http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/articles/howInkIsUsed.html?cCode=us

Using plain paper fastdraft print modes will use less ink, and many printers have the option to print in grayscale only.

Kind Regards, Ciara

[Ravenwings]

I am having the same issue.  I would not recommend this printer to anyone else. It only prints about 50 pages per cart. Then it goes into a printer error.  I have used this printer about 1/3 the time I did my old ones.