Low yield from HP305 black cartridge

[Pisces19]

I changed the black cartridge yesterday, printed 35 pages and received a message stating low ink. This is nowhere near 120 pages. Please advise.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Pisces19,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you are facing low ink so soon after replacing a cartridge.

Actual yield will vary depending on the amount of content on the page. Highly "dense" documents, such as text documents, may yield fewer pages, while less dense ones such as the organization chart would yield more pages than the standard. Printing that uses primarily one color could cause lower yields for that color and higher yields for colors not heavily used. The yield you experience will depend upon the content that you print.

 Here are a few steps you can take to address the issue:
 

• Check Cartridge Installation: Make sure the black cartridge is properly installed. Sometimes, if it's not seated correctly, it can cause inaccurate low ink readings.
   
• Clean the Cartridge Contacts: Gently clean the electrical contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer with a soft, lint-free cloth. Sometimes, residue can cause issues with ink level detection.
   
• Verify Cartridge Authenticity: Ensure that the black cartridge is an authentic HP cartridge. Counterfeit or refilled cartridges may not perform as expected.
   
• Run a Printer Diagnostic: Many HP printers have built-in diagnostic tools that can help identify issues. You can usually access these from the printer's control panel or HP Smart app.
   
• Check Ink Levels via HP Smart App: Use the HP Smart app or the printer’s control panel to check the actual ink levels. This can sometimes give a more accurate reading than the printer's display alone.
   
• Update Printer Firmware: Make sure your printer’s firmware is up to date. Firmware updates can sometimes resolve issues with ink-level reporting. Update the firmware on an HP printer
   
• Print a Test Page: Print a test page or a diagnostic page. This can help you determine if the issue is with the cartridge or something else, such as the printer itself.
   

Refer to this document: HP DeskJet Plus 4120 All-in-One Printer User manual

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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