HP 8610 - cannot get past Cartridge Problem screen

[ronhpuser]

I have an older HP 8610 Printer that admittedly does not get the same amount of use that it once did. It recently stopped working and is now "stuck" on the Cartridge Error screen. It shows the Yellow cartridge as the problem. All of the cartridges are original HP, and while 2 of them were recently replaced, the Yellow was not one of them. I cannot try to update the firmware since I cannot get past the Cartridge Error screen, but have attempted everything else I could think of to resolve this, including unplugging the printer for over 12 hours at one point. Same thing, as soon as I power it back on, it goes to that same Cartridge Error screen and will not allow me to go any further. Any assistance will be GREATLY appreciated.

[Garp_senchau]

@ronhpuser, 

Thanks for reaching out to the HP Support Community! 🎉

I’m here to help you troubleshoot your issue and get things back on track. Just follow these steps below, and we’ll have you running smoothly in no time:

Verify the Cartridges

Check the Yellow Cartridge:

• Even if the Yellow cartridge wasn't recently replaced, it could be damaged or improperly seated. Remove the Yellow cartridge and inspect it for any visible damage or dirt on the contact points.
• Re-seat the cartridge by gently pressing it into the slot until you hear a click, ensuring it’s correctly aligned and installed.
• Try replacing the Yellow cartridge with a new, genuine HP cartridge to rule out a defective one.

Check the Other Cartridges:

• Make sure all other cartridges are seated properly and that there is no obstruction or damage. Even though you mentioned two of the cartridges were recently replaced, it’s worth double-checking them as well.

Perform a Reset

Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer and from the electrical outlet.
• Wait for at least 1 minute to ensure all capacitors are discharged.
• Plug the power cord back into the electrical outlet and into the printer.
• Turn the printer back on and check if it gets past the Cartridge Error screen.

Hard Reset (Factory Reset): If the issue persists, you can try performing a factory reset, which can help reset any firmware settings that might be causing the error:

• On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the Setup menu.
• Go to Printer Maintenance or Restore Defaults (depending on the model).
• Follow the prompts to restore the printer to factory settings.
• After the reset, check if the error still appears.

[Garp_senchau]

Clean the Cartridges and Contacts

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Open the cartridge door and gently remove all cartridges from their slots.
• Using a soft lint-free cloth, clean the electrical contacts on both the cartridge and the printer’s contact points where the cartridges sit. Sometimes dust or ink residue can create poor contact.
• Reinstall the cartridges and check if the error clears.

Check for Firmware Issues

Since the printer’s firmware cannot be updated due to the error, you may try one of these methods to attempt a firmware reset:

• Try a Printer Firmware Update via USB:
  • If possible, download the latest firmware update for your HP 8610 printer from the HP support website.
  • Transfer the firmware file to a USB drive.
  • Insert the USB into the printer, then turn it on to see if it allows you to update the firmware via the USB connection.

Try to Bypass the Error Screen

Sometimes, printers get stuck in error loops due to certain screen prompts.

• Attempt to Clear the Error Screen:
  • With the printer powered off, remove all cartridges.
  • Power on the printer without the cartridges installed and wait until the printer tries to load and possibly display an error message related to missing cartridges.
  • Turn off the printer again, reinstall the cartridges one by one, and check if the error is cleared.

Test with the Printer’s Diagnostic Tools

• Use HP Print and Scan Doctor: HP provides a free utility that can help diagnose issues with your printer.
  • Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP's support website.
  • This tool can guide you through troubleshooting steps and possibly clear up minor errors.

You can refer this guide: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors

I’m pretty confident this will do the trick! But hey, if you run into any bumps along the way or need a little extra help, just give me a shout! I’ve got your back. 💪

And if this reply solved your problem (or made you feel like a tech wizard 😎), please click "Accepted Solution". It helps others, and I promise I’ll do a little happy dance. 🕺 Also, if you could click 'Yes' under ‘Was this reply helpful?’—that’s like giving me a virtual high-five. 🙌

Thanks again for being awesome, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 🌟

Cheers,