black cartridge does not communicate with 8702 printer

[jwp1033]

black cartridge does not communicate with printer and black ink is in the bottom right corner of printer

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @jwp1033 

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

Thank you for explaining the issue so clearly. It’s understandably concerning to see your HP OfficeJet 8702 report that the black cartridge isn’t communicating—especially when you’ve noticed black ink pooling in the bottom right corner. 

This combination suggests a possible cartridge seating fault or ink leakage, which can interfere with electrical contact and trigger communication errors.

Let’s walk through a focused recovery path to help restore proper cartridge recognition and prevent further ink issues.

Step-by-Step Fix for Cartridge Communication and Ink Pooling

 

1. Power Down and Inspect Safely

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Open the ink access door and carefully remove the black cartridge.
• Use a lint-free cloth to gently blot any visible ink in the bottom right corner—avoid pushing ink deeper into the mechanism.

 

2. Clean Cartridge Contacts

• On the cartridge, locate the copper-colored contacts.
• Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water to clean them.
• Do the same for the contact area inside the printer where the cartridge seats.
• Let everything dry for 5 minutes before reinserting.

3. Reinstall and Reset

• Reinsert the black cartridge firmly until it clicks into place.
• Close the ink access door.
• Plug in the printer and power it on.
• Wait for initialization and check if the error clears.

 

4. Check for Firmware Update

• Visit the HP OfficeJet 8702 Driver Page.
• Download and install the latest firmware update for Windows.
• Restart the printer after installation.

 

5. Try a Different Cartridge (If Available)

• If the error persists, try inserting a different black cartridge—preferably a genuine HP one.
• This helps confirm whether the issue is with the cartridge or the printer’s internal contacts.

If the printer still doesn’t recognize the cartridge after these steps, let me know whether the error message changes or if any lights flash—I’ll guide you further based on that. You're close to restoring smooth, reliable printing.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye