My 8610 OfficeJet will not accept new HP black ink cartridges, saying the cartridges are damaged.

[Commodore77]

I have tried 2 new HP 950XL cartridges with the same results---the printer won't accept them and says they are damaged.

[Bob_Headrick]

What exactly is the error message on the printer screen?  Are the cartridges HP or a third party?  What is the date on the cartridge package (or on the side of the cartridge if the original package is not available)?

[Commodore77]

Bob---thanks

The error message is as follows:   One or more of the cartridges appear to be damaged.   Remove them and replace with new cartridges.

I have inserted 2 new HP black cartridges both with expiration dates of Jan 2024, and still get the same reaction from the printer.

I have also gone thru the process of unplugging the power and restarting the printer,...to no avail.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

Scott 

[Bob_Headrick]

You probably have done the steps in the document here, I would not expect the issues there to show up on two different replacement cartridges.  If the cartridges are genuine HP (not third party) there are a few more things to try: 

• Get the following supplies:  a small bright flashlight and a magnifier.
• Open the printer as if you were going to replace a cartridge.  Remove all the cartridges and put them aside.
• Use the flashlight and the magnifier to examine the cartridge holder.  Near the top are four blocks, each has four gold pins.  Look carefully at the block on the right, where the black cartridge would plug in.  Compare the position of the pins with those of the next block to the left (where the yellow cartridge would fit).
• The sets of pins should look similar between the black set and the others.  If one or more pins on the black post are missing or bent some repairs will be needed.  Here is a picture of the area you should be examining:

Did the pins for the black cartridge appear the same as those for the yellow and the other cartridges?  If not then please take a picture of the black pins and post it here, I may be able to make some suggestions.

If the pins looked normal (compared to the others) the only other suggestion I would have would be to check the firmware version.  You can find the instructions for updating the firmware in the document here.  I would only suggest this if you are using genuine HP cartridges, some recent updates have made using non-HP cartridges more problematic.

[Commodore77]

Bob,

Thanks for your professional advice.

The pins appear identical to the other cartridges.

so I updated the firmware and drivers,...but still no luck.

I have cycled the printer on and off, reinstalled all cartridges,..

All is for naught....

Any other ideas or is HP trying to gently suggest that it is time for

a new printer?

Scott

[Bob_Headrick]

Sorry I could not suggest something that worked better.  I actually use an Officejet Pro 8600 Plus as my daily printer, it is a generation older than your 8610 and I hope to keep it running for years more.

At this point I should probably ask - do you have the original black cartridge (that was presumably replaced because it was depleted)?  If so try reinstalling it in the printer.  Do you get the same printer error message?

Also, one easy thing to try (but not a high probability of a fix) would be to open the printer panel like you would to change a cartridge. See the steps in the document here, use steps 1-6 in part 3 of the type 2 printheads.  release the latch, wiggle the carriage slightly side to side, then up and down, then reseat and close the latch.