Printer shows problem with ink supply system when a set of new cartriges put into HP 8710

[RADCO]

I was getting weak printing so I put in a set of new HP cartriges for a 4 types and got a message that there is a problem with the ink supply system.  Reset the printer power on/off and reinsert cartridges.  All new cartriges show depleted replace with new cartriges.  After another reset some cartriges now show that the cartriges have been refilled.  After another reset to the printer HP 8710 it says incompatible cartridge. The printer cannot use cartidges meant for a continuous supply system.  Tried another set a cartriges and they show printer cannot use cartriges for a continuous supply system or they show depleted.  Tried the first group of cartridges again and get any of the above errors.  Cannot print.  Cannot initialize and print alignment page.  Cartridges are all new out of the box 952 XL.  IS THE PRINTHEAD BAD AT THIS POINT?  RESETS DO NOT CLEAR THE ERRORS.  These are all new cartriges of HP for the 8710 yet all 8 cartridges of the 2 groups fail to work in the printer.  Any ideas??  

Today is a new day and I tried both sets of HP 952 cartridges again.  All 8 cartriges now show incompatable cartridges (They are all genuine HP purchased from Amazon)  It says the printer HP8710 does not work with continuous ink supply systems.  Replace cartridges with genuine HP cartridges which I have done.  For some reason the printer cannot read the information on the cartridge chip correctly.  It does not see that these cartridges are all new HP 952's.  So is it the printhead needs to be replaced.  I like this printer and would like to try and fix it.  Anew printhead can be purchased at Amazon.  What do you think.

[Teek4234]

I have the same problem. I checked and printer software is to date. How resolve?

[Sneha_01 · Accepted solution]

Hi @RADCO 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you are dealing with a frustrating issue, but fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the situation before considering replacing the printhead.

Here are some potential causes and steps to try:

1. Cartridge Chip Error or Faulty Connection

The error message "incompatible cartridges" often happens when the printer is not able to properly read the chips on the cartridges. This could be because of:

• Dirty Cartridge Contacts: The metal contacts on the cartridge and the printer might have dirt or ink buildup. Gently wipe both the cartridge contacts and the printer contacts (where the cartridges connect) with a soft cloth and some isopropyl alcohol. Be careful not to damage the chips or contacts.
• Damaged Chip: If the chip on the cartridge is damaged or malfunctioning, the printer may not recognize it properly. This is rare but can happen, especially with counterfeit or third-party cartridges.

2. Power Cycle / Hard Reset

Since you've already tried resets, let's ensure it’s done properly:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for at least 1-2 minutes.
• Plug it back in and turn it on while ensuring all cartridges are correctly installed.

This can sometimes resolve chip recognition issues or minor system glitches.

3. Firmware Update

HP printers sometimes experience issues with newer cartridge chips if the printer’s firmware is outdated. You can try updating the printer’s firmware to see if it resolves compatibility issues.

• You can do this by connecting the printer to Wi-Fi and checking for updates through the printer’s settings or HP’s website for instructions.

4. Try One Cartridge at a Time

Since all 8 cartridges are showing the same error, it might help to test each cartridge individually:

• Remove all the cartridges and try inserting just one to see if it’s recognized.
• Try each of the 4 individual colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) to check if any one of them is triggering the issue. This will help identify if a particular cartridge is defective.

5. Continuous Ink Supply System Message

The "continuous ink supply system" error message can sometimes appear if the cartridges are being misread as part of a third-party or continuous ink system. Even though your cartridges are genuine HP, it’s worth checking if you accidentally inserted an aftermarket chip or if the printer is misreading them.

• Double-check that the cartridges are correctly inserted and not stuck or misaligned.

6. Printhead Issue

If none of the above works, it’s possible that the printhead itself could be the issue. A failing or clogged printhead can sometimes cause these types of errors. However, before jumping to that conclusion, ensure all the troubleshooting steps above have been exhausted.

I hope this helps.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[RADCO]

OK some of what you were saying ended up being true.  My printhead in the 8710 was toast.  2 colors and black were all clogged up because the printer was 8 yrs old and I never did a head cleaning one in eight years until **bleep** happens.  The 8710 printer will flag System Supply error if it cannot send ink thru the printhead and at the same time this error can also be Cartridge depleted because if the print head is dry for various colors the 8710 thinks the cartridge is depleted because the printhead is able to monitor supply levels in the 4 little tanks inside the printhead and if they are empty you get a cartridge depleted error or system supply error depending on whatever the 8710 wants to report.  I was using genuine HP 952 cartridges but with my printhead in such bad shape there was no way new HP 952 cartridges put into that bad printhead that the system was going to work.  If you could tell me why at the end of pulling cartridges in and out and resetting the printer all four HP 952's reported incompatable cartridges Cartridges are detected as part of a continuous ink supply system  replace cartridges with genuine HP cartridges.  I wasted alot of money and agrivation replacing the failed cartridges with another new set of HP cartridges only to have the same sequence of errors appear.  I think your new update of firmware has a bug in that if a genuine HP cartridge is flagged as being incompatable it is automatically assumed to be part of a continuous ink supply system when it is not.  The 8710 printer does not like it if you are taking cartridges in and out of the printhead and assumes the customer is try to cheat HP and not buy a genuine HP cartridges.  But thats what HP says to do and never explains that these error codes are due to a very bad clogged printhead which is thermal toast.  This was a very good printer for eight years and I am trying to buy another one off ebay  since a new printhead is $110-$125.  And I put that cost to another HP 8710 with the idea that I will clean my printhead sooner that 8 years.  Can you follow up.  Is 99% isopropal alcohol ok to be used to clean out the printhead every 6 months?  Does that sound ok to you.  I also would like to know how the printer is able to know that I am using a Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS).  Why cannot the firmware report BAD PRINTHEAD nozzels are plugged up and the printhead is toast.  Printer cannot supply fresh ink to a BAD Printhead.  Incompatable cartridge is not the right thing to say to a customer.  Don't assume the customer is trying to cheat HP.  By the way this is a big problem because the 87xx series and 9xxx series printers are similar and there is alot of different kinds of inks out there in the marketplace comming from China, India, you name it  and they all say HP compatible.  Which brings up another question.  What type of ink will not plug up the printhead nozzels???

[Sneha_01]

Hi @RADCO,

Thank you for your response. It sounds like you've been dealing with a frustrating series of issues with your HP 8710, especially with the clogged printhead and the various error codes you're encountering. Let's break down the issues and questions you're asking:

Printhead Issues and System Supply Error

When you’re dealing with the "System Supply" or "Cartridge Depleted" errors after installing new HP 952 cartridges, it seems like the issue is likely due to the state of the printhead. If the printhead is clogged or damaged, it can't properly send ink to the paper, and that's what causes the system to flag these errors. The printer is likely assuming that it's a cartridge issue when, in fact, it's the printhead that is causing the problem. The printhead monitors the ink levels in the cartridges, but when the printhead is clogged or defective, it might incorrectly flag the cartridges as being incompatible or empty.

The Firmware Bug You Mentioned

It's possible that the printer's firmware is misidentifying the situation when it detects errors with the printhead and cartridges. Firmware can sometimes struggle to correctly diagnose hardware issues like a clogged printhead, especially when the printer firmware is designed to prioritize warnings about ink cartridges and supply issues. If the printer detects multiple cartridge problems and it can't properly detect ink flow due to a clogged or failed printhead, it might falsely identify the issue as related to the ink cartridges themselves, instead of diagnosing a more complicated hardware issue like a bad printhead.

Cleaning the Printhead with Isopropyl Alcohol

Using 99% isopropyl alcohol is generally a safe and effective way to clean the printhead, though it’s important to be cautious. This is especially true if you're cleaning the printhead manually, by removing it from the printer (if it's a removable type) or soaking the affected parts. Here's a suggested approach:

1. Remove the printhead (if possible) and place it in a shallow dish.
2. Soak the printhead in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to clean the nozzles.
3. Allow it to dry completely before re-inserting it into the printer.

Cleaning it every 6 months sounds like a good maintenance plan, but keep in mind that the condition of the printhead might determine how effective the cleaning is. If you continue to face severe clogging or issues, replacing the printhead might be inevitable.

Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS) Detection

HP printers have a variety of sensors to detect certain types of ink systems, including Continuous Ink Supply Systems (CISS). These systems typically use larger, external ink reservoirs, and the printer may flag them as incompatible because they're non-standard or not certified by HP. However, when you experience issues with the printhead and cartridges being misdiagnosed, the firmware could be mistakenly associating the error with a CISS.

Regarding why the printer doesn't just report "BAD PRINTHEAD" instead of the "incompatible cartridge" error, it’s mainly a result of how the firmware interprets the signals it receives from the printhead. The printer may simply not have a built-in diagnostic tool to directly tell you that the printhead nozzles are clogged beyond repair. The firmware is more likely to identify supply chain issues (like cartridge compatibility) and signal those errors to the user, even if the real issue is the printhead.

Ink and Printhead Clogging: Recommended ink: Always use genuine HP ink, or if you're using third-party ink, ensure it's from a reputable supplier with high-quality formulations. Some brands specifically design their inks to be less likely to cause clogging, so if you do use alternatives, make sure the ink is recommended for your printer model.

I hope this helps.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[RADCO]

Thankyou so much for your final information.  I wish I knew all of this a week ago but I hope that the community will see your response to me and spread the information.  Problem solved.

[RADCO]

The End of Problem Thank you all.