Purchased two HP cartridges, Cyan and Yellow.

[NancyB21619]

I purchased two new HP cartridges from Amazon, 1 Cyan and  1 Yellow.  I installed them and did not print that day, but when I went to print the next day, they showed depleted.  I also installed an HP Magenta cartridge which was new but out of date and the same thing happened.  Showed full and next day depleted.  I have gone through all the troubleshooting tips, and the printer still shows  "Printer Failure"  So now that I have spent over $68.00 on Sept 1st and 2nd for new cartridges, showing they are depleted and I haven't been able to print anything.  Can someone tell me what to do or should I just throw the printer away?

[Qsaifoddin]

Hi @NancyB21619

I understand how frustrating it is to install brand-new cartridges only to have them show as depleted, along with a “Printer Failure” message. Here are some steps you can try to resolve this issue:

1. Verify Cartridges

• Use Genuine HP Ink: Make sure the cartridges are genuine HP 950/951 series. Sometimes older or expired chips cause incorrect ink level readings.

• Check Authenticity: You can confirm cartridge authenticity through the HP Anti-Counterfeit and Fraud Program.

2. Power Reset

1. With the printer on, unplug the power cord.

2. Wait at least 60 seconds.

3. Plug it back directly into a wall outlet (not a surge protector).

4. Turn the printer back on.

3. Reseat and Clean Cartridges

• Open the cartridge access door.

• Remove each cartridge, check for any dust or ink buildup on the copper contacts, and gently clean them with a lint-free cloth.

• Reinstall the cartridges until they click securely into place.

4. Firmware Update

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup → Printer Update → Check for Update Now.

• Updating ensures the printer can correctly recognize the cartridge chips.

5. Printhead Maintenance

• From the control panel, go to Setup → Tools → Clean Printhead or Align Printhead.

• This can fix ink detection issues and improve performance.

6. Observe Behavior

• After these steps, check whether the cartridges are still being marked as depleted.

• If the error persists consistently, it could point to a worn printhead or an internal chip reading fault — both known issues as these printers age.