HP 1018 cartridge grey shade on background

[hplaserjet1018]

I recently started experiencing problems with my printer. Actually, I think the problem is the cartridge and not the printer. When I print plain text on white paper, I get a sort of grey shade on the background. The end result looks as if the text was printed on light grey paper, instead of plain white. When I check the toner and the printer I see nothing wrong, no signs of leakage or anything. I selected different kinds of paper under "settings", and different densities, but it makes no difference. I'm using plain 80 grams white paper. I'm pretty sure the cartridge is to blame, because I tried a replacement cartridge I still had, and the problem was gone. I already tried contacting HP Customer service, but I wasn't successful. First you have to select a product category, so I chose printers. But all the support I could get for it was a user manual and some drivers. A search on the cartridge model provided no results. A simple contact button or e-mail address wasn't available. So perhaps someone out here could be of assistance. The model of the cartridge is Q2612AC (also knows as 12A), and I got it in October 2015. And since there is a lifetime warranty on cartridges, I'd really like to see this solved.

[John_Getzke]

> I'm pretty sure the cartridge is to blame, because I tried a replacement cartridge I still had, and the problem was gone. 

Its the cartridge.

[hplaserjet1018]

Thanks for confirming my suspicion. Now, how do I contact HP about this?

[John_Getzke]

You only need to contact HP if you purchased your cartridges directly from them via the online store.  If you did then you should have some kind of a sales receipt with contact information.  This is assuming your cartridge is still covered under its warranty.  

Generic Sales number is here:  1-866-625-3906

Otherwise cartridge issues are all settled between the customer and the cartridge supplier.  HP is not involved with the purchase of 3rd party consumables.  For example if you purchased HP originals through Walmart, go to Walmart for a refund.  Walmart will deal with HP on their own time.

[hplaserjet1018]

Actually, I did get this cartridge directly from HP. Not though their online store, but from customer service. This was because my previous cartridge had started leaking. They told me that all cartridges came with a lifetime warranty, so they sent me another, free of charge. So I don't have a receipt. I'm based in the Netherlands? Do you perhaps know where I can obtain contact info for NL customers?

[John_Getzke]

> They told me that all cartridges came with a lifetime warranty, 

I'm not sure how long cartridges last in the Netherlands, but here in the US the warranty is one year.  Something may have been taken out of context on this point.

> I'm based in the Netherlands? Do you perhaps know where I can obtain contact info for NL customers?

Can't help you with that one.  When I try to figure out how to contact HP I go to their public support website.  At the bottom of the banner is a link for "Contact Us".  Click the option for Technical Support.  Use this feature to type in your model information and expose the options that are available for Chat, Email or Phone. 

I suggest going through the same customer support scenario as you did the first time.  Try to get HP to look up your previous ticket and continue from that path instead of starting a brand new one.

[hplaserjet1018]

I tried the technical support side. When I fill in the type number of the printer (HP Laserjet 1018) all I get is a user manual and some drivers. I assume this is because the printer itself is over 10 years old, so they don't give product support anymore.

When I enter the type number of the cartridge (Q 2612AC) the site says it can't find any info. Nowhere on the site can I find any actual contact info in the shape of e-mail addresses or telephone numbers.

I still have the old correspondence with HP on my computer, but when I tried to send another e-mail (the address is emea_nl_crt@hpservice.support.hp.com) I got a message back that the mail couldn't be delivered.

As for the warranty: I was told on the phone in 2015 by a HP customer service representative that (at least in NL) printers had a 2 year warranty, and toner cartridges had an unlimited warranty, they had no expiration date and were supposed to last practically forever, or at least until the toner ran out.

[John_Getzke]

I advise purchasing a new cartridge from a supplier with better contact options for support.  Better to cut your losses on this one and start fresh.

HP wont talk to you about your printer, its too old.  HP wont talk to you about your cartridge because you didn't actually purchase it from them, you received it as a troubleshooting solution from a troubleshooting call in 2015.  I am skeptical that they would assist you with a 4 year old cartridge even if you did find the right contact number to speak to a rep.  You would need to find writing somewhere that proves your cartridge has a lifetime warranty.  I have never heard of such a service agreement for a cartridge, but if one exists then the proper documentation would help you advance through the troubleshooting process with HP.

You are looking at a good 1-2 hour phone call for something like this due to the lack of documentation and outdated hardware.  I would rather buy a new cartridge and move on for such a situation.