"at least one of the cartridges has a problem.

[Hatfield604]

I know there are similar issues that have been discussed involving the error message "at least one of the cartridges has a problem." I have tried all the fixes suggested that I can find here:

• I have removed and reseated the printer cartridges.
• I have used a water moistened coffee filter to clean the contacts on both the cartridges and the printer.
• I have done a hard reset (removing the power cord from the back of the printer and the wall, and reinstalled in reverse order after waiting roughly 60 seconds)

The only reason I haven't replaced the cartridges is simply because the closest retailer carrying the HP 63 cartridges is roughly a 20 minute drive and I'm on vacation and don't WANT to go out if I don't have to!

I do not believe this is an issue with ink levels in the cartridges, as just the day before I had been printing several bits of work related documents without any problems ... and the current cartridges are less than a month old. I don't do THAT much printing ... so the cartridges usually last several months, which is also part of why I've not signed up for the automated purchase program.  I WORK for the afforementioned retailer.

Okay so...
I've tried everything I can think of, and that YOU have suggested.  I'm open to ideas!

[TEJ1602]

@Hatfield604, Welcome toHP Support Community!

Try the steps mentioned below:

• Turn on the printer, if it is not on already.
• Gently grasp the handles on either side of the printer, then raise the ink cartridge access door until it locks into place.
• The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
• Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you proceed.
• To release the ink cartridge, lift the lid on the ink cartridge slot, then gently push the lid back until it stops.
• Pull up on the ink cartridge to remove it from the slot.
• Inspect the contacts for any protective tape that still might be on the nozzles.
• Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
• Remove the protective tape from the contacts, if necessary.
• Do not try to remove the copper electrical strip.

To isolate the issue, let us try the single cartridge mode.

• The color ink cartridge is on the left, and the black ink cartridge is on the right
• Hold the color ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, then slide the ink cartridge forward into the slot.
• Close the lid on the ink cartridge slot to secure the ink cartridge into place.
• Close the lid and try printing.
• Now remove the color ink cartridge and try to print only using black ink cartridge.

Let me know the outcome.

Cheers 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Hatfield604]

---

To isolate the issue, let us try the single cartridge mode.

• The color ink cartridge is on the left, and the black ink cartridge is on the right
• Hold the color ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, then slide the ink cartridge forward into the slot.
• Close the lid on the ink cartridge slot to secure the ink cartridge into place.
• Close the lid and try printing.
• Now remove the color ink cartridge and try to print only using black ink cartridge.

It would appear the issue is revealed in this step!  Following your instructions, I removed the color cartridge.  Test page printed fine on just the black cartridge.  However when I removed the black cartridge and ran a test sheet with just the color cartridge, I got an error message stating that the color cartridge was not installed correctly and to assure that it was before printing, and then ... test sheet wouldn't print!

Is there a way to assertain if the issue is the cartridge or the printer?  A bad ink cartridge ... not a problem.  Bad printer (out of warrantee) could be a problem!

Much thanks for your help thus far!

[TEJ1602 · Accepted solution]

@Hatfield604

If you have an old color ink cartridge try installing it on the printer and see if the error message appears, if yes, it could possibly be a hardware issue.

If there is no error message, it is an issue with the ink cartridge. Check the cartridge expiry date, if in warranty you can try our other support options to get it replaced.

This document will help you locate the warranty end date on the cartridge.

Follow the steps below to reach out to our HP Support team:

Step 1. Open link: www.hp.com/contacthp/
Step 2. Enter the product number or select to auto detect 
Step 3. Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your contact options"
Step 4. Scroll down and click: HP contact options - click on Get phone number and phone number appear.

Thank you.

Keep me posted.

Cheers 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Hatfield604]

This final step will be unnecessary.  While the shop I buy supplies from does carry HP packaged products, in an effort to save a couple of dollars, I had purchased a remanufactured, recycled product.  It is likely that this may prove part of the provinance of the issue.

I will return to the store and pick up a proper set of HP 63 cartridges and fully expect these to resolve the problem forthwith!

Much thanks for your assistance!

Hatfield604
aka Ron in Anderson Indiana

[TEJ1602]

@Hatfield604,

Sure. Do get back to us if you need further assistance.

Cheers 🙂