HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 Printer does not recognized non-HP ink cartridges

[ldhoney3]

Error message on power on initialization:

Cartridge Problem

M C Y K

Remove and reinstall the indicated cartridge, making sure it is correctly installed.

Corrective action I have taken:

Removed and cleaned the contacts both on the cartridges and the priner.

Make sure he cartridges are properly seated in the carriage.

Powered on and powered off the printer at each corrective action with still same error message.

Firmware: MCP2CN1716AR

[Jeet_singh]

@ldhoney3,

Welcome to HP Support Forums!

I see from your post that you're having issues with the non Ink cartridges not working on your HP OfficeJet 6978 printer. Don't worry we'll work together to help you find a solution.

In the meantime, let's try these steps here: 

Step 1: Update printer firmware

Let's start off by updating the printer firmware. If your printer connected wirelessly, make sure to temporary connect the device with USB and then follow the link to install the latest firmware update on your printer from our HP support website, using this link. Alternatively you can also try to update the printer firmware directly from the printer control panel. Once done, restart the computer.

For more details on how to update, please use this link: HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

If the issue persists, I would suggest here is to do a hard reset on the printer and make sure that the printer is connected directly to the wall outlet and not to the surge protector.

With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

Remove USB cable, if present.

Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.

Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord and then plug back the power cord to the printer.

Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.

Next thing, I would suggest here is to follow the steps suggested in this support document for - HP Printers - 'Used or Counterfeit ink cartridge Detected' or 'Counterfeit ink cartridge Advisory' E...

Hope this answers your question.

Good luck and keep me posted about the developments. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue and give the post a Kudos for my efforts to help. Thank you and have a great week ahead. 🙂

[ldhoney3]

I followed your instructions to do a firmware update from the HP website.  However, the firmware update failed - I think due to the error on all the cartridges being non-HP cartridges during the initialization process.

"The update failed on 1 printer.  Please, turn the printer off and then on and retry the update."

Each time I turn the printer back on, the HP cartridge validation fails for all 4 cartridges and I it to hide the error, but the firmware update continues to fail again.

I have a PNG file of the error message, but cannot figure out how to get it to be included in this post box - I ried the PHOTO selection above with no success.

[Jeet_singh]

@ldhoney3,

I would suggest this could be an issue with the printer itself.

I would recommend you contact our HP support team for further assistance. HP support team can be reached on www.hp.com/contacthp

I'm sure they should be able to go ahead and address your issue, Let me know if you encounter any difficulty contacting them. I'll be more than happy to help you.

that said, If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.