new, barely used photo cartridge is showing as almost empty already

[Dunidar]

Hello SGamgee

I am sorry you experienced a false out of ink error. There are a large number of variables to be taken into account, that could contribute to a false error. This can happen in several different ways.

One, your printer may not be getting enough power. This is the most common factor that I have seen with computers, printers and other devices. Most people use power bars and surge protectors for convenience. However, the power requirements of a printer are very particular. Think of it like a person who is not getting enough sleep each night. One night is okay, two nights can still manage, but over time the accumulated effect begins to affect how the person functions. It is like that with a printer; they should be plugged directly into the wall.

Another possible factor is if firmware needs to be updated. I have no idea what printer you have, but you may want to check to see if there are any firmware updates available. I am providing a page that explains exactly how to do that: How to update your printer Firmware.

The cartridge itself could be the issue. If you are using refilled cartridges, the cartridge itself could be the issue. That being said, even a brand new cartridge has a small chance of failing. That is not likely the issue in your case, as you indicated that two cartridges have failed.

In the end, remember the printer displays the estimated ink levels and it means exactly that; it is an estimate. I know the error you received is not exactly convenient, but it is just an error. If everything you said was true, try removing the ink cartridges. Afterward, power cycle your printer and put the ink back in. If you still get the error, you should contact HP technical support for repair options.

US support link to contact options for laptops purchased in the US.

Outside of US support link to contact options for laptops purchased outside the US.

I hope this helps you with your photo cartridge issue. I would like to thank you for posting on the HP Forums. Have a great day!

[mtman1]

YOUR NEW INK CARTRIDGES ARE BAD AND IM ON THE PHONE NOW WITH HP AND THEY JUST DON'T GET IT YET

{Private Information Removed}

[mtman1]

its the ink cartridges they are not fill email me {Private Information Removed}

[mtman1]

its not the printer its the ink not fill right my c5180 did the same thing after replaceing with new ink well on the 3 set i fill

them first yes new ink i had to fill them and they work A+  no more low ink,out of date they work and yes i call HP and i'm

happy to say they will be looking into it... so keep that printer and the window {Private Information Removed} hp don't remove my email i put it there to help

[Gnokrojam]

I'm using new HP ink cartridges I bought through Amazon or Wal-Mart. I do not refill cartridges.

Are you saying HP is selling ink cartridges that are almost empty? That would explain why these cartridges get used up so quickly with no globs of ink on the paper, on the print head, or inside the printer. I keep wondering where it is going. No ink in the cartridges would answer that.

Do we have proof? What does a correctly filled cartridge weigh? 

[Serenity1930]

HP won't allow your e mail so you can't tell people that they are in the wrong and got caught.  Is there a link to a site that shows how to refill an ink cartridge?  I use 3 color cartridges and 1 black, and rarely use the color, but all 3 colors go out at the same time.  i expect if you put your e mail in here, your computer would crash from all the unhappy people wanting to know how to resolve this.  {Content Removed}

[cinders374]

I have complained about this also. I tried to call and ask about a new print head but the guy in India (?) was no help. No help,at all. It's tough to,get customer service when the guy can't understand what you are explaining and you feel like you are talking to a brick wall. I think my print head was/is bad, but couldn't get any help,before my warranty ran out. Good plan HP, frustrate customers with outsourced customer service so they can't make their warranty claim!

My photo ink disappears too. It was gone in 3 months and I printed zero photos in that time. I always use draft. We don't print that much, maybe a page every couple of days and occasionally several pages for a report or something. (Black text). I never shut my printer off, though it does seem to sleep, but it doesn't do anything to,use ink when it wakes (except print my document). I also noticed that the colors (magenta, blue, yellow) are disappearing faster now too. It's a photosmart 7520, uses ink 564. It is 14 months old. I wish I knew how much the ink should weigh. It does seem like they are under filled or something.

Also, my ink "gauge" is stupid. Assume the display is 1-inch high, it always tells me it is out of ink and I have to replace when there is still a 1/4 inch showing on the gauge. I can't even tell what is considered "empty" on the gauge so I can't change the ink because I am never sure if it's going to show up as empty when I print or not. I have to wait for a page to print poorly. I have spent more in ink for this printer than ever in my printing life (have had printer since home computers were common, 90's) I have had several photos,arts and nine sucked down ink like this. My last one used the 02 cartridges, so,similar multi cartridge system. I will be doing research and buy something else next time. I have spent as much in ink, or more, as the printer cost and I am a home user. Main printing is shipping labels labels and college reports, not a ton of either.

So, is it defective printers or hp just sticking us with cartridges with drops of ink in them?

[cinders374]

https://www.hpinkjetprintersettlement.com/FAQ.aspx

#2 in the settlement section refers to "underprinting" I bet that is the problem! How do I turn this off?

You'd think they would have fixed this stuff. I got my printer in 2012, AFTER the settlement!

[Serenity1930]

I'm sure no expert, home user, but I print a LOT of shipping labels, all black ink.  I have an HP printer from several years ago and it works great.  but I did notice that in the last year or so, the ink would run out faster than before, and read that others were also experiencing this.  I was having pc issues and thought it was my old printer not working, so i went to the store to buy a new one.  the salesman used the pitch of...now if the color cartridge runs out, you don't have to replace all the colors (it takes 1 color cartridge with all 3 colors in it), you now will only replace the color that runs out, so you'll be saving lots of money!  It wasn't an HP store (office supply store) or I would take the printer back and tell him where he can put those 3 color cartridges that "will not all run out of ink at the same time"!  My old printer did not need color ink to print in only black, I can actually remove the color cartridge and it still prints, using the black cvartridge.  this is a joke....a very sad, expensive joke. 

I sure understand about customer service reps who can barely speak English.  VERY irritating!!

[Serenity1930]

are you serious???  they were sued for this very reason??  How did it come out??  HP must have won, since nothing has changed.