HP 6958 All In One Cartridge missing error

[rlof2453]

My printer had been in storage for several months. When I first turned it back on it worked fine. Then I was getting the error message for Cyan. I bought new HP cartridges. After they were installed I get the same error message but now it is for all of the cartridges. I have performed all the steps below three times.

Welcome to HP Support Community. This is a great place to post questions and find answers.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I see that you are facing cartridge issues with your HP Printer.

Please follow the steps listed below to clean the cartridge contacts.

Open the door or lid to the cartridge access area. Wait until the carriage stops moving before continuing.
Remove the cartridge indicated in the error message from the carriage.
Wipe the copper-colored contact on the cartridge with a lint-free cloth.
Reinstall the cartridge.
Repeat these steps for any other cartridges indicated in the error message.
Close the door or lid to the cartridge access area.

[zoey7886]

@rlof2453, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding One Cartridge missing error! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

I know how frustrating it feels when you’re greeted with a “cartridge missing” message just when you expect your printer to spring back to life after storage. Let’s try giving it a little refresh:

Power reset – While the printer is still on, unplug the power cord from the wall, wait about a minute, then plug it back in. It helps clear any static hiccups.

Re-seat the cartridges – Open the cartridge door, gently take out all cartridges, and then firmly click them back into place. Sometimes they just need that snug “click” to be recognized.

Clean the contacts – With a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water, wipe the copper-colored contacts on each cartridge and inside the carriage. Let them dry before reinserting.

Update firmware – If possible, check for the latest firmware via the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app, as it can fix recognition errors.  

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[rlof2453]

Thank you for the suggestion. That did not change anything.

[rlof2453]

When I first set it up it printed perfectly for several hours. 

Then I received the cartridge missing error and it showed the Cyan cartridge missing.

I cleaned all the contacts and that didn't help.

I thought maybe the old cartridges were the problem so I bought new ones. HP brand only.

After installing the new cartridges the error remained but now it was all the cartridges.

This morning I did the power reset you suggested.

I'm still receiving the same error but it is back to being Cyan only.

The firmware is up to date.

[Hawks_Eye]

@rlof2453 

Thanks for laying out the full timeline—your troubleshooting has been thorough and methodical. Since you've already tried cleaning contacts, reseating cartridges, performing a power reset, and updating firmware, and the issue persists (especially reverting to Cyan-only after new cartridges), here are some deeper steps to consider:

 

Advanced Troubleshooting for HP 6958 “Cartridge Missing” Error

1. Inspect the Cartridge Chip and Carriage Pins

• Check the Cyan cartridge’s chip (small gold contacts) for scratches, corrosion, or misalignment.
• Inside the printer, inspect the corresponding spring-loaded pins in the carriage. If any are bent, recessed, or missing, the printer may fail to detect the cartridge.

 

2. Try a Different Genuine Cyan Cartridge

• Even new HP cartridges can be defective. If possible, test with another genuine Cyan cartridge from a different batch or retailer.

 

3. Hard Reset with Cartridges Removed

• Remove all cartridges.
• Unplug the printer while it’s still powered on.
• Wait 2–3 minutes.
• Plug it back in and power on without cartridges.
• Once it boots, insert cartridges one by one, starting with Cyan.

 

4. Check for HP+ or Instant Ink Lock-In

• If your printer was enrolled in HP+ or Instant Ink, it may reject non-enrolled cartridges—even genuine HP ones.
• Go to the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app and check:
  • HP+ status
  • Instant Ink enrollment
  • Cartridge authentication settings

 

5. Run Printer Diagnostics

• On the printer’s touchscreen:
  • Go to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Print Quality Tools > Clean Printhead.
  • Also try Settings > Printer Reports > Printer Status Report to see if any internal errors are logged.

 

6. Check for Internal Debris or Oxidation

• Since the printer was in storage, humidity or dust may have affected internal sensors.
• Use a flashlight to inspect the cartridge bay for:
  • Dust buildup
  • Oxidized contacts
  • Foreign objects

If none of the above resolves the issue, you may be dealing with:

• A faulty cartridge carriage (hardware failure)
• A logic board issue affecting cartridge detection
• A region-lock mismatch (especially if cartridges were sourced from a different country)

You’ve already done the groundwork—they should be able to take it from here.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[rlof2453]

I worked my way through your suggestions and the result is the same.

I will add that the issue did not start when I first turned the printer on after storage. It worked perfectly for several hours.

The issue started after the firmware was updated.

I am going to scrap the printer.

[Hawks_Eye]

Thank you for the update, and I’m truly sorry the cartridge error on your HP 6958 appeared after the firmware update—especially after the printer worked flawlessly for hours post-storage. It’s disheartening when a trusted device suddenly becomes unusable, and I completely understand your frustration.

Before you make a final decision, here’s one last set of steps that may help:

 

1. Perform a Full Reset

• Power on the printer.
• Disconnect the power cord from the rear while it’s still on.
• Unplug from the wall and wait 60 seconds.
• Press and hold the Power button for 30 seconds.
• Reconnect power and turn it on.

This clears deeper firmware states and may restore cartridge detection.

 

2. Reinstall Previous Firmware (If Available)

• Visit the HP 6958 Drivers & Firmware page.
• Check if an earlier firmware version is listed.
• If available, download and install using the HP Firmware Recovery Utility.

 

3. Clean Cartridge Contacts

• Power off and remove the cartridges.
• Gently clean the copper contacts on both the cartridge and inside the carriage using a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water.
• Allow to dry fully before reinserting.

If none of these steps restore functionality, I respect your decision to move on. You’ve clearly done everything right, and your patience speaks volumes. 

If you’d like help selecting a replacement model with similar features and fewer restrictions, I’d be glad to assist. 

Let’s make sure your next printer serves you reliably.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye