Yellow ink shows defective. Bought two sets and both do not work. Tried all the suggestions

[Clueless2025]

I am getting error message that Yellow cartridge appears to be damaged.  I have bought two new sets of ink and both are getting that message....only the Yellow.  I have tried all the online suggestions so far and nothing fixed it.  It was working fine until I replaced the ink the first time when the yellow did not work.  

[Max3Aj]

Hi @Clueless2025, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
If your HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 is showing a "Yellow cartridge appears to be damaged" error despite trying multiple new cartridges, here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot:

Check for Authentic HP Ink

• Ensure you're using genuine HP 950/951 cartridges. 

Clean the Cartridge and Printer Contacts

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Open the ink cartridge access door and remove the yellow cartridge.
• Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol to gently clean:
  • The gold-colored chip on the yellow cartridge.
  • The metal contacts inside the printer (where the cartridge connects).
• Let everything dry completely before reinserting the cartridge.

Reset the Printer

• Remove all ink cartridges from the printer.
• Unplug the power cord while the printer is on.
• Wait 5 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on.
• Reinsert the yellow cartridge and check if the error persists.

Try a Different Cartridge Again

• Since you've tried two sets of new cartridges, test another one if possible—preferably from a different store or batch.
• If you still have the old yellow cartridge, try reinstalling it to see if the message changes.

Check for Firmware Issues

• If the printer firmware is outdated, it might misidentify cartridges.
• Update the firmware via:
  • Printer control panel: Setup > Printer Maintenance > Update the Printer
  • HP website: HP Support

Bypass the Cartridge Check (Temporary Workaround)

• Try printing with only the black cartridge installed.
• If it works, reinsert all cartridges one by one to see if the error returns.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted 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! 

Max3Aj

HP Support