PrintHead error - Bad Cartridges?

[Wingzy]

Sigh .. I posted this question a little while ago.. even got emails telling me that I'm now a Creative Communicator.  And it was there .. until .. I decided to edit  it.  It was missing one fo the images I'd included in it.  So I decided to edit -- to put in the 2nd image.   And.. now.. it's gone.

So let me try again (3rd time must be the charm!)

I only use HP cartridges purchases directly from the HP Store so I'm starting to thinking I've got a batch of faulty cartridges.

Sigh .. I posted this question a little while ago.. even got emails telling me  I'm now a "Creative Communicator".  And it was there .. until .. I decided to edit  it.  It was missing one of the images I'd included in it (both images are on the server btw).  So I decided to edit it -- to put in the 2nd image.   And.. now.. it's gone. Sigh .. So let me try again (3rd time must be the charm!)

I only use HP cartridges purchased directly from the HP Store so I'm starting to think I've got a batch of faulty cartridges.

I've got a printhead error that is persisting even after installing two new cartridges. Each of the new cartridges .. right out of the box by the way .. have a little "X" on the top of them.  Don't know what the "X" means.  I've run thru the diagnostics software .. which is why I replaced two of my cartridges (yellow and cyan) that were very low -- low enough to cause the light to display but not low enough for the ink level software to show a red "x" rather than a green checkmark next to the colors.

Had some problems getting the new cartridges to be detected .. had to reseat them multiple times.   When all 4 cartridges were finally detected OK, the printhead error did not go away.   Reseating ALL 4 of the cartridges didn't solve things either. In fact, the magenta cartridge temporarily was not detected either.

Another fix I tried (recommended by the diagnostic software) was to force the printer to reset itself by unplugging the power cord for a good solid minute or more.  That didn't work either.

So what's the problem? Bad cartridges? Or something else?  If bad cartridge -- should I just keep running thru my supply of cartridges until the print head error goes away?  How do I exchange these faulty.. under warranty  (expiring March 2018 or December 2018).  What does the large "X" on the top of the cartridge mean?  Is the printhead error referring to the printhead on each of the ink cartridges?  Or something else?

For your reference, have attached 2 pictures -- of my old cartridges -- including the ones I replaced last night.  And the cartridges installed in the printer itself.

Looking forward to some good help.

[Dvortex]

Welcome to HP Support Forum. I hope you're well @Wingzy
 

I read about the printer error that you are facing and wanted to stop in to share my suggestions with you 🙂

I see that you are getting a print head error on your HP printer. The print head is the part which gets the ink from the cartridge to the paper. This is a factory installed part on your printer.

I found a wonderful document to help you fix this issue. Follow the steps listed here: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/ish_1776648-1643972-16

Once the firmware is updated, try a power drain on the printer as suggested below:

• Remove the cartridges from the printer.
• 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 (This is important) 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.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!

Good luck 🙂
 

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[Wingzy]

Thanks for your response but before I spend time on a solution that may not match my problem  let's 'chat' about this a  little more.  Especially given that the error message shown in the link you provided does not match the error message I'm getting.  

When I run the HP Printer Assistant, open the "toolbox" for my printer, here is what I see on the inkjet cartridges themselves:

what I get for the PrintHead Health:

and lastly, for the overall diagnostic report:

Which, as you can see, does not match the error message reported in the link you provided.  

Further, I investigated my printer using the Printer EWS Home Page starting from the Toolbox Device InfoPage shown below:

From there I verified that I have legit HP cartridges -- two of which are labeled "used" and two showing as new.  (The Printer Assistant toolbox also gave me a message about my black and magenta cartridges being "previously used", which of course they are, I'm the one using them.  And have removed and reseated them a few times.  Which may be what's confusing things.)  Below is the report I saw on the EWS HomePage.  

Just noticed .. the end of warranty dates on the black and magenta cartrdiges.  Which make no sense especially since (a) I bought this printer in January 2016 and (b) the Magenta and Black cartrdiges were part of a batch I bought direct from the HP Store in August 2016.   So how could I have been shipped a cartridge with a warranty expiration date over a year before I bought the printer or bought the cartridge??  Am referring  here to the black cartridge. That explains a bit of the difficulties I've had with it since the day I first installed it.

I also ran the test to verify that my firmware is current. Which it is.

Sorry to sound a bit difficult but I want to give you the full picture.  Also . what I didn't mention is that the lights over the cartridges keep cycling  .. over and over again.

Also -- please allay my concerns about my cartridges.  I actually opened up all the boxes of my still unused cartridges -- and each of them has this little symbol on top of them.  A black vertical bar with a large X over something I can't quite give a name to except that it looks like a cone on its side.  What does this mean? Especially since ALL my new cartridges have them .. and btw .. the magenta cartridge in my printer right now .. does not (the other 3 do).

Many thanks in advance!

[Wingzy]

In addition to the error message cited in the link provided not corresponding to my error message, it's also not for my printer or print cartridges.

[Dvortex · Accepted solution]

Hello, @Wingzy

Thanks for the detailed reply!

First off, about the X symbol on the printer cartridge. Check the image below. Are you talking about the symbol I circled in red? If yes, then it is nothing but a routine symbol which asks you not to throw the cartridges in the dust bin and to discard them properly after use. This is a new symbol which comes on all new cartridges. Even the cartridge on my printer which is a completely different model carries the same symbol. 🙂

Now, about the cartridge expiry. Does it say the expiry date? It could be the manufacturing date on the cartridge. 

Also, the printer EWS page shows that the cartridges are installed and is reading them correctly as well. So I do not believe the issue is with the printer cartridges. You mentioned that all the cartridge lights are blinking - that means that the printer is in an error state. Check HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter Series - Blinking Lights

Let me know if that helps!

Cheers 🙂

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[Wingzy]

Thanks. I've done the power cycle "fix" before with no joy. Will try again. Printer is a few months past warranty. Only cost $80 (bought during a sale direct from HP) so the "answer" may be to just buy a new one if power cycle still doesn't work. Sigh. I think there's a labor day sale going on right now.

And at least now I know what the icon means. I started to wonder if perhaps the "x" was one of those don't do" symbols.

I'll check back in later with an accept and kudo.

[Dvortex]

Hello, @Wingzy

Thanks for the update!

Visit us again if you have any concerns!

Thank you again and may you also have a great day and even better tomorrow 🙂

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[Wingzy]

Did the power cycle . no joy.  Have ordered a replacement. Same model -- have too many cartridges that work with this model to look at a different one.  Looked at doing a trade-in to see if I coudl get SOMETHING for it; but no joy there either.  Not on the list of printers they accept.  Oh well.  Not good tho that it only lasted 20 months.  Its predecessor -- an HP 6800 -- lasted 5 yrs .. at least.  It would have kept going except for some small piece of paper left behind by a paper jam that I couldn't ..no matter how hard I tried .. locate and remove.  And why I bought the 6230.  Let's hope it lasts longer ...eh?

By the way .. if you view that icon correctly (hold the cartridge on its side) .. it does like a garbage can!  (what you Brits call a dust bin --:smileyhappy:)

Thanks for your help!