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‎07-16-2026 12:02 PM

HP Recommended

How do I get an old HP Photosmart Premium Printer to stop giving me the message that an ink cartridge appears to be damaged when it is not, so that can start printing.

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11 REPLIES 11

‎07-17-2026 09:16 AM

HP Recommended

Hi @tomlutz 

 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

 

Thank you for posting your query.

 

I understand how bad this can be, especially when the cartridge is not actually damaged. This message is commonly caused by a poor electrical connection, a cartridge compatibility issue, or a printer hardware problem. Please try the following steps:

Reset the printer

  • Turn the printer on.
  • Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer while it is powered on.
  • Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
  • Wait 60 seconds.
  • Reconnect the power cord directly to a wall outlet, then reconnect it to the printer and turn it on.

Inspect and clean the ink cartridges

  • Open the cartridge access door and remove the affected cartridge.
  • Check for any protective tape left on the cartridge.
  • Inspect the copper-colored electrical contacts for ink, dirt, or damage.
  • Gently clean the contacts with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with distilled water. Allow them to dry completely before reinstalling.

Clean the carriage contacts

  • With the cartridge removed, inspect the corresponding contacts inside the carriage.
  • Carefully clean them using the same method, taking care not to touch the nozzles.

Reinstall the cartridges

  • Reinsert each cartridge firmly until it clicks into place.
  • Close the access door and check whether the error clears.

If the error persists after completing these steps, please let me know:

  • The exact HP Photosmart Premium printer model
  • The cartridge picture showing the number and  installed
  • Whether the error identifies a specific cartridge (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Photo Black). Please share me the picture of the error displayed.

With this information, I can provide model-specific troubleshooting steps.

 

Take care and have an amazing day!

I'm an HP Employee.


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‎07-21-2026 09:45 AM

HP Recommended

Pallipurath:

I turned the printer off and on.  I unplugged the printer as you suggested and also cleaned the ink cartridges and carriage contacts as you suggested.  And I reinserted the ink cartridges.  I plugged the printer in.  Still the message: "The following cartridges appear to be missing or damaged" showing the five colored ink cartridges. The printer is a HP Photosmart Premium C410 Series.  I'm attempting to send you a photo of the printer.  Tom Lutz
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‎07-21-2026 10:14 AM

HP Recommended

Can I get a response?

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‎07-23-2026 08:13 AM

HP Recommended

Hi @tomlutz 

 

Thank you for responding.

 

Thank you for performing all the troubleshooting steps and for the detailed update. I understand that even after power cycling the printer, cleaning the ink cartridges and carriage contacts, and reinstalling the cartridges, the printer is still displaying the message "The following cartridges appear to be missing or damaged" for all five color cartridges.

I appreciate your efforts and your patience. Please go ahead and upload the photo of the printer or the error message. Once I review it, I'll be happy to assist you further and determine the next appropriate troubleshooting step.

 

Have a good day.

I'm an HP Employee.


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‎07-23-2026 10:13 AM

HP Recommended

I'm having difficulty sending you a photo of the computer. The error message reads: Ink Cartridge Problem. The following Ink Cartridges appear to be missing or damaged. (Showing the five cartridges by color) Refer to Printer Documentation. More info which shows nothing.

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‎07-23-2026 02:51 PM

HP Recommended

I've done everything you asked me to do. What next?

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‎07-23-2026 03:09 PM

HP Recommended

Hi @tomlutz 

 

Thank you for responding.

 

https://support.hp.com/co-es/document/ish_1739881-1493381-16 I would request you to please refer to the HP support document and follow the troubleshooting steps provided for the ink cartridges. If the issue persists after completing those steps, I would also request you to try using an alternative genuine HP cartridge, if available, and let us know whether the issue continues

 

Have a good day.

I'm an HP Employee.


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‎07-23-2026 06:57 PM

HP Recommended

I did use a genuine HP cartridge and still the printer does not print.

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‎07-24-2026 08:33 AM

HP Recommended

Hi @tomlutz 

 

Thank you responding.

 

I would request you to please follow the troubleshooting steps provided in the link for your cartridge. Additionally, please share a clear picture of the error message displayed on the printer so I can assist you further.

 

https://support.hp.com/co-es/document/ish_1739881-1493381-16 

 

Have a good day.

I'm an HP Employee.


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