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- HP Community
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- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Printer 6520 says fraudulent cartridge after following troub...

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11-22-2024 04:25 PM
I have a 6520 printer. it does not print black consistently. I implemented troubleshooting steps multiple times - deep clean to include printhead and other cleaning steps. replaced good cartridges with new and no change, but when i reinstall used cartridge, it says fraudulent cartridge installed. how do I resolve the issue of not printing black ink cinsistently?
11-24-2024 04:53 AM - edited 11-24-2024 04:54 AM
Hi @ACTION193,
Welcome to the HP Support Community.
I'd be glad to help you!
I'm really sorry to hear that your HP 6520 printer isn't printing black consistently, especially after you've tried several troubleshooting steps; that must be incredibly frustrating.
- Is the "fraudulent cartridge" message showing up only with the used cartridge, or do you see it with the new cartridges as well?
- Have you recently updated the printer’s firmware or software, which might be causing compatibility issues with your cartridges?
- Does the printer print black ink at all (even faintly), or is it completely absent when trying to print in black?
- Are you using HP genuine ink cartridges?
Let's try these steps.
Check Ink Cartridge Contacts:
- Remove the cartridges (both new and old) and inspect the contacts for any dirt or debris. Use a soft lint-free cloth to gently clean the electrical contacts on both the cartridge and the printer.
Reset the Printer:
- Unplug the printer for 10-15 minutes to reset it. This can help clear out any software glitches or errors, including the “fraudulent cartridge” issue. After reconnecting, try printing again.
Update Printer Firmware:
- Visit the HP Support website to ensure your printer firmware is up-to-date. Sometimes, outdated firmware can trigger incorrect cartridge errors or cause inconsistent printing.
Reinstall and Align the Printhead:
- Since you mentioned performing a printhead clean, also try reinstalling the printhead. Go through the alignment process after reinstallation to ensure the printhead is functioning properly.
Try a Different Set of Genuine Cartridges:
- If you haven’t already, try installing a brand-new set of genuine HP ink cartridges. Sometimes, even new cartridges can be faulty, and ensuring they are authentic HP cartridges will eliminate the “fraudulent cartridge” warning.
For more information, you may refer to this article.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it might be worth contacting HP Phone Support to check if there’s a deeper hardware issue with the printer.
Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee