HP 7920e printer does not recognise brand new cartridge

[K_Ali]

Hi,

Printer: HP 7920e ink jet

I installed new Colour and Black 303 cartridges. Printer does not recognize Black Cartridge. Error "Black cartridge does not communicate correctly"

I tried old cartridge, it is recognized. But new one is not. 

I have done many hard resets, and cleaned the printer head contacts also, but no luck.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @K_Ali 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

That kind of cartridge rejection—especially when the old one works but the new one doesn’t—is understandably frustrating. The error “Black cartridge does not communicate correctly” on the HP 7920e typically points to a chip-level communication fault, cartridge protection lock, or compatibility mismatch, even if the cartridge is labeled correctly.

Here’s a structured recovery path to help you resolve it:

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Verify Cartridge Authenticity and Compatibility

• Confirm the black cartridge is HP 303 and genuine, not refilled or third-party.
• Check the packaging for expiration date and security seal.
• If the cartridge was purchased recently, ensure it’s not from a different printer bundle—HP’s cartridge protection policy can lock cartridges to a specific printer.

2. Inspect the Cartridge Chip and Contacts

• Use a dry, lint-free cloth to gently clean the copper contacts on the cartridge.
• Inspect the chip for any scratches, residue, or misalignment.
• Avoid using liquids or alcohol—this can damage the chip.

3. Insert the Cartridge with Power On

• Power on the printer before inserting the cartridge.
• Insert the black cartridge slowly and firmly until it clicks.
• Wait 10–15 seconds to see if the printer recognizes it.

Changing cartridges with the printer off can prevent proper initialization.

4. Try the Color Cartridge Alone

• Remove the black cartridge and leave only the color cartridge installed.
• Power on the printer and check if it initializes correctly.
• Then reinsert the black cartridge to test recognition.

This can help isolate whether the issue is with the cartridge or the dual-cartridge logic.

5. Reset Printer Memory

• Power off the printer
• Unplug it from the wall for 2 minutes
• Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds while unplugged
• Reconnect and power on

This clears residual memory that may be holding onto old cartridge data.

You’ve done everything right—let’s make sure your printer does too.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[K_Ali]

Hi Hawks Eye,

Thank you so much for providing the detailed instructions. I followed them all, except trying color cartridge alone.

Nothing helped.

In the end I tried another new Non-OEM cartridge and it worked. So I suspect that the Black HP cartridge was faulty.

[Hawks_Eye]

@K_Ali 

Thanks for troubleshooting, i appreciate all your efforts and patience!!

It sounds like you’ve been troubleshooting this issue with your HP 7920e printer for a while! Since the Non-OEM black cartridge worked, it definitely points to a potential fault with the brand-new original HP black cartridge you were using.

It can be frustrating when a brand-new cartridge is defective, especially if it’s one you’ve just purchased. Some possibilities include:

Chip issues: Sometimes, the chip on the cartridge can be faulty or not properly recognized by the printer. This can happen with both OEM and Non-OEM cartridges, though it’s more common with third-party brands.

Ink flow problems: If the cartridge wasn’t sealed properly or there was an issue with the ink inside, it might not properly engage with the printer’s system.

Manufacturing defect: Even though it's brand new, manufacturing defects do happen occasionally.

Since the Non-OEM cartridge worked, it’s a good sign that your printer is functioning properly, but it seems like you just got unlucky with that particular black cartridge.

If you’re still within the return or warranty window for the faulty HP cartridge, it might be worth reaching out to HP phone support for a replacement as per replacement policy. They should be able to assist in processing that, and hopefully, you’ll get a working cartridge as a replacement.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[K_Ali]

Thank you so much Hawks_Eye,

Cartridge was under warranty.

I reached out to HP via phone and they ship the replacement.