Photosmart C309a Ink Cartridge self depletes

[Spiceitup]

When I first purchased my c309a and set up everything to be used with my desktop, I noticed something was wrong with the ink cartridges. All that was printed were the configuration pages to align the print heads and ensure the colors are printed. After that, I never used the printer again because its sole purpose was a backup and also for the CD printing function. I have 2 other printers one of which has a CD printing function built in.

When I decided to try printing CDs on it about 3 weeks later, I noticed that some of the cartridges were reported to have depleted by 1/3 and some by 1/4 of their capacity. I never switched on the printer and they depleted? So I decided not to print the CDs and switched the printer off again.

Another month went by and I checked the ink levels. Sure enough, they depleted again. Has anyone had the same problem where the ink levels drop on their own even with the printer off? I have already contacted HP and have been given a free exchange of cartridges twice already. They still want me to try it again after the first exchange before they make any conclusion that its the printer.

Altogether, I have experienced the depletion on the original set which came with the printer, 1 full set which I purchased retail, and a full free exchange set from HP.  (3 sets) Now I'm waiting for them to give me the next exchange set because they don't have stock. However, I personally don't think its the ink cartridges but more the printer if it has already happened 3 times!

Any answers and comments?

[neephius]

Hi I purchased my HP Photosmart Premium PFSC at the same time I purchased 10 Multipacks at $57 they Depleted extremely quickly I have always Used HP Printers and have never really taken much norice but I read this last week and You are correct My Ink Usage has gone through the roof. Wjo would i contact about this Problem directly.

[gentrycd]

I never really paid attention to my ink levels, but when my printer started making very loud noises (almost like a woodpecker, I think the carriage is sticking) and I started cleaning the printer.  When I took  the ink cartridges out to clean around them, there was a ton of ink gunked up under the cartridges!  I cleaned that mess up, and I still have really loud noises when I print.

[bruthagoose]

My ink cartridges constantly deplete without me using them. Has anyone else noticed this or found a solution? I don't use the printer a lot but I do like it when I have used it. 

If I can't solve this problem this thing is too expensive to keep replacing ink cartridges when I am barely using the printer.

[Bob_Headrick]

---

bruthagoose wrote:

My ink cartridges constantly deplete without me using them. Has anyone else noticed this or found a solution? I don't use the printer a lot but I do like it when I have used it. 

If I can't solve this problem this thing is too expensive to keep replacing ink cartridges when I am barely using the printer.

---

The Photosmart c309a printer has individual ink tanks and a separate semi-permanent printhead.  Some ink is used to keep the printhead free from clogs, see this page for information. To minimize ink usage do the following:

• Replace the cartridge when the print quality degrades, not at the first low on ink warning.  The low on ink signals are set to allow you time to purchase a replacement to have on hand when the cartridge actually runs low on ink.
• Do not run unnecessary cleaning cycles.
• Do not turn the printer off with an external switch.  Use only the printer's power switch.  Leave the printer connected to a live outlet at all times.