Inkjet Sensor failure

[TexasZ]

Have recently been unable to print with my 8600. It will receive a print job, but fails to print with the error.  Printer may be out of ink.  Digging deeper, the Yellow print cartridge yields the message, "ink sensor error."  The Supply Level showed that there is ink in the cartridge. That was verified by removing and shaking the cartridge.

Troubleshooting...

1. Have done the standard power cycle with the system unplugged for a minute.  No joy.

2. Removed all the cartridges and cleaned the contacts to the cartridges in the print head. No joy.

3. Deleted the printer driver and all other HP software on my Mac, downloaded latest and reinstalled. No joy.

4. Bought a HP 951 OEM yellow cartridge for $24 (ouch!) and replaced.  No joy.

5. Attempted to update the printer firmware, but was unable as the printer "is in fault."

Does anyone else have any ideas?  Can I call HP for help....or at least get reimbursed for the HP 951 cartridge that I think I just wasted.

I'm thinking that this is a failed hardware sensor and there's not much that can be done....except buy non HP next time.  Have only bought HP for the last 25 years, but this printer might be turning me. The screen has also failed "white" and can't be read.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Tardis40]

Hi @TexasZ,

Thanks for becoming a member of the HP Support Forums. I understand you are having an issue with an ink cartridge or print head. I will be glad to help you.

I know you did some of the steps in this document but please follow the step from 'Ink System Failure' Error document # c03253201.

Yes, you can call for support. the inks and print head have their own warranty from the printer.

Please use the following http://www.hp.com/contacthp and create a case for your issue and contact HP. If you live outside the US/Canada, please click the link below to get the contact information for your region.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

Please keep me informed of how things went. 

If you require further assistance, let me know and I will gladly do all I can to help you.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue by marking this post as "Accept as Solution".
To simply say thanks, click the Thumbs up below! 🙂

Thanks.

[TexasZ]

Many thanks for your help.  I actually ran exactly the same troubleshooting process that you sent and completed all steps with the exception of updating the firmware on the printer.  Because there was a print fault, the printer would not accept the downloaded update.

I've completed the contact HP form and have a Case # and a phone number to call.  I'll let you know what kind of luck I have with HP.  I checked out buying a replacement print head....something crazy like $150 for OEM and $75 for a 3rd party refurb. I suspect that would solve the problem, but I might as well put that $ into a new (Epson) printer!

Thanks sincerely for your help. Will be in touch.  Cheers.

[TexasZ]

Just spoke to HP Customer Care. After taking them through all my troubleshooting, they said I'd done everything they would have told me to do and then some. They came to the same conclusion that the printhead was bad and, since the printer was out of warranty,  I could either buy a new printhead or buy a reconditioned, same series HP printer, 8610, for the roughly the same price as the replacement printhead.  $130.  Roughly the same price it sold for in a store. 

Asked if I could get reimbursed for the HP 951 cartridge I bought per the troubleshooting procedure.  Was asked if the box was opened....hmmm, how could I use the cartridge for troubleshooting without opening the box.  Bottom line is I'm pretty much out of luck and need to buy a new printer.  This HP 8600 had two failures, the yellow ink sensor and the touchsceen was whited out.  Not used very hard at home. Pretty disappointing. The proverbial "they don't make 'em like they used to."