I purchased a new HP ink cartridge set but keep getting error message "Ink Cartridge Damaged"

[PaulHR1]

I purchased a new box of four HP 564 ink cartridges for my HP Photo Smart 6520 printer. However, when I installed the four new cartridges, I got an error message that read: "Ink Cartridge Problem: One or more cartridges appear to be missing or damaged. Install or replace the affected cartridge." 

The cartridges are brand new out of the HP box. I've ensured that they are installed correctly.  Is it a matter of cleaning or aligning the printer heads?  Do I need a new printer?  Thank you. 

[A_Gayathri · Accepted solution]

Hi @PaulHR1,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand you are trying to resolve the "Ink Cartridge Damaged" error on your HP Photosmart 6520 e-All-in-One Printer with HP 564 ink cartridges on Windows 10 (32-bit):

Here are some troubleshooting steps to resolve 

1. Check Cartridge Compatibility

Ensure that the ink cartridges are genuine HP 564 and not expired. Sometimes, even new cartridges can be defective.

• Make sure they are not HP 564XL, as some older printers may have trouble recognizing high-yield cartridges.
• Verify the region of your printer matches the cartridges you purchased.

2. Restart the Printer

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source for about 2-3 minutes.
• Reconnect and power it back on.

3. Reseat the Ink Cartridges

• Open the cartridge door and remove all cartridges.
• Power cycle the printer (turn it off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on).
• Reinstall the cartridges one by one and see if the error disappears.

4. Clean the Cartridge Contacts

If the printer still doesn't recognize the cartridges, cleaning the contacts may help:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Remove the affected cartridges.
• Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the gold-colored contacts on the cartridge and the corresponding contacts inside the printer.
• Let them dry completely, then reinstall.

5. Reset the Printer

• Unplug the printer while it is powered on.
• Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds.
• Reconnect the power and turn it back on.

6. Check for Firmware Updates

• Go to HP Support and check for firmware updates for your printer model.
• Some older firmware versions can cause cartridge recognition issues.

7. Try a Different Cartridge

• If possible, test with a different HP 564 cartridge (from an older batch or another printer) to see if the issue is with the cartridge or the printer.

8. Clean the Printhead (if applicable)

• From the printer control panel, go to:
  Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead
• If this doesn’t help, you can try manually cleaning the printhead assembly (let me know if you need guidance).

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[PaulHR1]

Thank you very much. Disconnecting the printer from the wall and reinstalling the cartridges worked!  I really appreciate your taking the time to walk me through this. 🙂 

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @PaulHR1 ,

That's great! Happy to hear that the issue has been resolved. I really appreciate your efforts on this and If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us. 

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accept as Solution and Kudos, Thumbs Up buttons on the public post, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day ahead!