Bought a defective cartridge

[PM-31]

   Ever since I installed a cartridge-- No. 61, black, new, genuine-- from Office Max, my printer says there’s a 

“Black cartridge problem”.

   Before, I have bought a regular-volume cartridge (you know, half-empty), and had no problems.  This time I bought a double one (you know, full).

   Yes, the machine went through printing a scan sheet, and then scanning the scan.  When the error message appeared,  I tried this again.  No-- Error message.

   Actually, right after I installed it, the machine printed OK.  After about 4 pages, I got this message.

   Before I installed it, the machine didn’t work at all.  I needed a replacement.

   And yes, the cartridge is installed correctly-- not crooked; it clicked when put in,  etc.

   I treied ti AI mode of problem-solving. This didn’t work.  Surprise!

   I went to HP Printer Assistant. It shows cartridge volume levels.   It tells me the cartridge is empty or damaged-- a new cartridge is empty or damaged

   I uninstalled the old driver, and re-installed a new, Windows 11-friendly one.  Printer still doesn’t work, and still the same message.

   I.e., I have tried many ways to get the printer to print.

[Garp_senchau]

@PM-31, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

To troubleshoot and resolve the "Black cartridge problem" message on your HP Deskjet 3050 printer, follow the steps below. These solutions are designed to address issues related to cartridge recognition and print quality:

Step 1: Check and Clean the Ink Cartridge Contacts

1. Turn off the printer: Ensure the printer is turned off before proceeding.
2. Open the ink cartridge access door: Wait for the carriage to move to the center and become idle and silent.
3. Remove the black ink cartridge:
   • Lightly press down on the ink cartridge to release it and pull it out from its slot.
   • Inspect the cartridge contacts for ink build-up or debris.

1. Clean the ink cartridge contacts:
   • Lightly moisten a clean, foam-rubber swab or lint-free cloth with distilled water.
   • Clean the contacts on the cartridge and also the corresponding printer contacts.

1. Reinstall the black ink cartridge:
   • Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the contacts facing the rear of the printer.
   • Slide the ink cartridge into the empty slot until it clicks into place securely.

Step 2: Align the Ink Cartridges

1. Close the scanner lid and the cartridge access door.
2. Align the ink cartridges:
   • Follow any alignment prompts on the printer screen.
   • Alternatively, you can initiate alignment through the HP software on your computer.

Step 3: Verify Cartridge Compatibility and Authenticity

1. Ensure the cartridge is a genuine HP No. 61 black cartridge:
   • Verify the packaging and cartridge model.
   • Genuine cartridges can be purchased directly from the HP Store.

Sources: HP Deskjet 3050 Printers - Fixing Poor Print Quality

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,