"open or shorted control lines" repeated error - 344 cartridges

[owl99]

i have an officejet k7100.

i'm getting a repeated problem with original 344 hp  colour cartridges

the left red light flashes (indicating a colour cartridge problem) and the printer refuses to print.

when i do a TAP test, the error is "pen in left chute has 1 or more open or shorted control lines"

I tried - buying 2 more cartridges.

buying a second identical (used) printer on ebay.

same error each time, same refusal to print. whatever combination of printer/cartridge i try. very frustrated... !

ideas (apart from 'buy epson' ) most welcome!

[Bob_Headrick · Accepted solution]

There are a few things to try:

• Remove the color cartridge and try printing a page.  (The printer may still indicate a missing cartridge, but it should print in ink backup mode).  Does the printer now indicate the black cartridge is at fault?  If so replace the color cartridge and remove the black cartridge.  If this prints properly the black cartridge was at issue.
• Clean the cartridge and printer contacts as shown in the document here.  This is for a different printer but same principle.

If the above does not help I would suggest going through the troubleshooting steps in the document here.

[owl99]

hi bob

thanks for the answer.

yes it does print in backup mode.

i'd tried cleaning the contacts and the troubleshooter just says 'replace the cartridge'.

as a last resort i bought a final cartridge. and it worked fine.

so - either i was plain unlucky with repeat cartridges with a 'open or shorted control lines' fault, or the printer itself was causing cartridge errors.  i guess i'll never know. i plan to stick with (Second hand) printer no 2.

so problem overcome, but don't know what caused it.