Oneor

[BjjBasketball1]

printer saying one or mor cartridges appear to be damaged.  I have replaced all aartridges with new ones. I have cleaned the copper connection, but still getting the same message.  what can I do

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @BjjBasketball1 

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

Thank you for already replacing the cartridges and cleaning the copper contacts—that’s a great start and shows your dedication. 

If your printer still shows a “cartridge appears to be damaged” message even after replacing all cartridges and cleaning the contacts, the issue may lie in cartridge recognition or internal electrical contact. Let’s walk through a precise recovery process to restore smooth printing.

 

Step 1: Power Reset the Printer

This clears temporary memory and resets cartridge recognition.

1. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cable from the rear of the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
3. Wait at least 60 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet and then into the printer.
5. Turn the printer back on and check the display.

 

Step 2: Reinstall the Cartridges Carefully

Even new cartridges can misalign slightly during installation.

1. Open the cartridge access door and remove all cartridges.
2. While they’re out, gently wipe the copper-colored contacts on each cartridge and the corresponding contacts inside the printer using a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
3. Let everything dry for 5 minutes.
4. Reinsert the cartridges one at a time, ensuring each clicks firmly into place.
5. Close the access door and check the printer screen.

 

Step 3: Use the HP App to Check Cartridge Status

1. Open the HP App on your Windows PC or mobile device.
2. Select your printer.
3. Go to Supplies Status or Printer Reports.
4. Check if any cartridge is flagged as incompatible or damaged.

If one is, remove just that cartridge and reinsert it. If the message persists, try swapping it with another new cartridge if available.

 

Step 4: Update Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause recognition issues with new cartridges.

• Visit: https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers
• Enter your printer model and download the latest firmware update.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

 

Step 5: Clean the Printhead (if applicable)

Some models allow printhead cleaning via the HP App:

1. In the HP App, go to Printer Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead.
2. Follow the prompts and allow the cleaning cycle to complete.

 

Step 6: Try a Different Cartridge (if available)

If the error persists with one specific cartridge, try inserting a different new cartridge of the same type. This helps isolate whether the issue is with the cartridge or the printer’s internal contact.

Let’s bring your printer back to perfect working order—once you’ve tried these steps, feel free to share what you observe. We’ll keep moving forward together.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye