-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- New ink cartridges empty

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
04-11-2021 09:07 PM
A few days ago when I was printing something out printer was showing low ink. So I had my boyfriend go buy a color and a black. I just went to put the new ones in tonight and the printer is not reading the ink cartridges. It's got a small red light flashing. It's showing the cartridges are empty. I tried to reinsert the old cartridges and they still showed low ink. I do not have the receipt from them but I do have the boxes they came in. I'm not sure what to do
04-15-2021 06:48 AM
Hi @PACERFLIRK,
I'd like to help!
Try the below suggestions-
Reset the product
- With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
- Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
- Wait at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
- Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
- Turn the printer on. HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.
Clean the electrical contacts
Remove the cartridge indicated by the error message, clean the electrical contacts, and then reinsert the cartridge in its color-coded slot.
- Turn the printer on.
- Open the door to access the cartridges.
- Wait until the carriage stops moving before you continue.
- Remove the cartridge indicated in the error message from its slot, holding it by its side.
CAUTION: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections. - Remove any protective tape that still might be on the contacts.
CAUTION: Do not touch or try to remove the copper electrical strip - Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then clean only the copper-colored contacts on the cartridge.
- Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then clean the electrical contacts in the carriage, located inside the printer.
- Wait 10 minutes for the contacts to dry.
- Reinsert the cartridge.
- Insert the black cartridge into the right slot.
- Insert the tri-color cartridge into the left slot.
- Repeat these steps for the other cartridge, if necessary.
- Close the cartridge access door.
- If the error persists, repeat the previous steps to clean the cartridge and carriage contacts a second time.
- Check for the error message.
single cartridge mode
The printer you own can work in single-cartridge mode, wherein the printer will be able to print with one cartridge in the printer.which will help us identify if its a cartridge issue or a printhead issue
To try single-cartridge mode follow the below steps:
remove the black ink from the printer, leave the color in and try printing
then remove the color ink and, insert the black in and try printing
If the issue persists, I'd suggest you Contact HP in your region regarding the service options for your printer
Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
And, Welcome to the HP Support Community.
Please click “Accept as 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