Ink Error

[Newberry1]

Hello! I am having trouble with my ink cartridge. When I replace the ink cartridges with new ones I get a message saying that I need to fix the color cartridge and retry printing.

The cartridge has been placed in correctly I do this monthly and for some reason this particular cartridge isn’t working. 

I have taken out the new cartridges and put the old one back in and everything is fine, no error message. I have tried rebooting it, cleaning it, nothing seems to work.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Newberry1 

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

I'm really sorry your printer is rejecting the new color cartridge—it’s frustrating when something you do routinely suddenly refuses to cooperate. Since the old cartridge works fine, the issue likely lies with cartridge recognition or chip contact. 

Let’s walk through a few precise steps to help restore smooth printing.

Try these steps to resolve the “Fix Color Cartridge” error:

1. Power cycle the printer with the new cartridge removed

This clears memory and resets detection.

• Turn off the printer and unplug the power cord
• Remove the new color cartridge
• Wait 60 seconds
• Plug the printer back in and turn it on
• Reinsert the new cartridge firmly and evenly

 

2. Clean the cartridge contacts

Ink cartridges rely on clean electrical contact points to communicate with the printer.

• Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water
• Gently wipe the copper-colored contacts on the cartridge
• Also clean the corresponding contacts inside the printer
• Let everything dry for 5 minutes before reinserting

 

3. Check for protective tape or packaging

Some cartridges ship with a thin plastic film or tape over the contacts or ink nozzles.

• Remove the cartridge and inspect for any remaining tape
• Peel off any protective strips completely
• Reinsert the cartridge and close the access door securely

 

4. Try a different cartridge (if available)

If you have another new color cartridge, test it to confirm whether the issue is with the cartridge or the printer.

• If the second cartridge works, the first one may be defective
• If neither works, the printer may need a deeper reset

 

5. Run the Diagnose & Fix tool in the HP App

This can detect and resolve cartridge recognition issues.

• Open the HP App on your computer or mobile device
• Select your printer
• Go to Support > Diagnose & Fix
• Follow the prompts while the printer is powered on and connected

 

6. Check cartridge compatibility

Ensure the cartridge matches your printer model exactly. Even small variations in part number or region can cause rejection.

• Visit the HP Cartridge Compatibility Guide
• Enter your printer model and verify the correct cartridge series

Let me know how your printer responds after these steps. Once the cartridge is recognized, you’ll be able to print with vibrant color and confidence again.

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