Why can't I scan with Deskjet 2050, is it because the machine has no ink cartilage error?

[FarshadTami]

I have not used the Deskjet 2050 for some years, and now i need to do some scanning but the ink is dry and i removed the cartilages. I tried to scan using the Printers & Scanners in Macbook System Preferences, but I can't find the scanning option anywhere. Is it because there are no cartilages and the error message is blinking on the printer? Or is there another problem that i can easy fix and will be able to print?

Thank you in advance.  

[Jay_G24]

Hi @FarshadTami,

I'd like to help!

I understand you do not see a scan option on the printers and scanners tab on your mac os.

If the printer is not added as a bonjour multifunction kind then the scan option will not come up.

Follow the steps to add the printer with kind bonjour multifunction-

Add the Air Print printer to the Mac printer queue

Confirm you are using Air Print by adding the printer in System Preferences.

1. Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.
2. Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, and then do one of the following steps.
   • If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to confirm it is set up for Air Print. Click the printer name, click the minus sign "-" to delete the printer, click the plus sign "+"click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then continue to the next step.
   • If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer, and then continue to the next step.
3. Confirm Air Print or Secure Air Print displays in the Use or Print Using menu and kind is selected as "bonjour multifunction", and then click Add.
4. Open a document or photo, click File, and then click Print.

Follow the steps to troubleshoot the ink cartridges-

Reset the printer

Reset the printer to recover from printer errors or failures.

1. If your printer has a rechargeable battery, remove it.

2. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

3. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

4. Wait 60 seconds.

5. Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and to the printer.

   NOTE: 

   HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

6. Turn on the printer to complete the reset.

Clean the ink cartridge and carriage electrical contacts

Remove any debris or buildup from the contacts on the cartridges and in the carriage.

1. Open the door or lid to the cartridge access area. Wait until the carriage stops moving before continuing.

2. Remove the cartridge indicated in the error message from the carriage.

   • Carriages with cartridge latches: Open the latch, and then pull the cartridge up and out of the slot.

     

   • Carriages without cartridge latches: Gently press down on the cartridge to release it, and then pull it out of the slot.

     

3. Holding the cartridge by the sides, remove any protective tape that still might be on the contacts.

   CAUTION: 

   Do not touch the ink nozzles or the copper-colored electrical strip. Touching or trying to remove these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

   

4. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water, and then wipe the copper-colored contacts on the cartridge.

   

5. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth or swab with distilled water, and then clean the electrical contacts in the carriage.

   

6. Wait 10 minutes for the contacts to dry, and then reinsert the cartridge into its color-coded slot.

7. Repeat these steps for the other cartridge if it was indicated in the error message.

8. Close the door or lid to the cartridge access area.

   If the error persists, clean the cartridge and carriage contacts a second time.

Try the single-cartridge mode

The printer you own can work in single-cartridge mode, wherein the printer will be able to print with one cartridge in the printer. Which will help us identify if its a cartridge issue or a printhead issue

To try single-cartridge mode follow the below steps:

• remove the black ink from the printer, leave the color in and try printing
• then remove the color ink and, insert the black  in and try printing

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[FarshadTami]

Hi,

Thanks for the message. I couldn't proceed after this:

1. Confirm Air Print or Secure Air Print displays in the Use or Print Using menu and kind is selected as "bonjour multifunction", and then click Add.

Because there was no such options displayed in the Print Using menu.