Tech Help: Resetting HP inkjet printers

Hank Rearden | 10/25/03 | Hank Rearden

[Hank Rearden]

Have Googled without success - does anyone know how to reset an HP inkjet printer (specifically a Deskjet 5550) to remove the "low ink" warning?

I'm refilling my cartridge successfully, but the cart keeps telling the printer it's running low. I'm sure there's a way to spoof the printer into thinking it's got a new, full cartridge, but haven't been able to figure it out.

[Hank Rearden]

Some FReeper's got to know the answer to this one. Thanks very much.

[Pukin Dog]

You might have one of those new cartriges with a chip in them, that cannot be refilled or reset. Off to the store, dude.

[Hank Rearden]

Maybe. Sort of. It refills just fine, but won't reset to "full" status. Cart probably does have a memory; I'm hoping to find out how to get the printer to ignore the "low ink" warning the cart is sending. The warnings keep interrupting printing, so it's a nuisance more than a big problem.

[rs79bm]

Not if the cartridge is labeled or stamped "low" specifically by the printer, such as cartridges with a chip built in.

[Brian S]

My lexmark detects when a cartridge has been removed and replaced and asks whether its a old cartridge or new. If I select old...it keeps the old ink levels. When I select new, it resets the levels to full capacity.

I've been refilling this current set of cartridges for about a year now...

[rs79bm]

I should also mention that newer HP Printers internally keep track of your cartidges by a serial number embedded into the cartridge. When it's low, the printer remembers. This is entirely done within the printer itself, and not the printer software. However, most HP printers will only keep 2 cartridges in memory, so if you have 2 extra cartridges, (even empty ones) you could cycle them through to reset the printers memory, and reset the ink level to full. Basically, even though you've refilled your cartridge, the printers has the cartidge's serial number stored in memory. This will reset it.

[Lokibob]

Try looking here, Hank.
It is a dogpile search for programs to reset the chips.

http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/search/web/reset%252Bink%252Bcartrige/1/20/1/-/0/0/0/-/-/1/-/n153/Chip/dp12%253A1067107823597/n153/1

[ALASKA]

I found that a Diet Dr. Pepper spilled poured into the printer "reset" it. Easy, permanent fix.

[Rudder]

I've had sucess by unplugging the printer from the ac outlet for a few minutes.

[Always Right]

Isn't it cheaper to buy a new printer than a new cartridge?

[Consort]

Maybe this will help:

Resetting ink level indicators on HP deskjet 5550.

[woofer2425]

I purchased a Universal chip resetter for my epson ink cartridges. You touch it against the electrical contacts on the cartridge and it resets it to tell the computer that it is now a full cartridge. Plug Universal chip resetter, HP into Google and I 'm sure you'll find something...a bunch cheaper than buying a new cart.

[old-ager]

I had a similar experience with a new Epson printer. The newer cartridges have a "chip" that records usage, so even if you refill, the printer thinks the cart is out of ink. There is an aftermarket now in "resetters" (small hardware device for about $20) and even a couple of software-only cartridge resetters. I think this market will grow, and it would be great if some knowledgeable freepers would jump in to this discussion.

[PokeyJoe]

I bought myself an HP1000 Laser about 1.5 years ago. ($240 bucks at the time at outpost.com) An older HP Inkjet 712C sits beside it. I've not yet replaced the laser cartridge ($65) since I bought the darn thing, nor have I had to buy ink cartridges for the old 712C - as I ONLY use it if I want something with some color.

Replacing an Inkjet Printer with a Laser Printer is like getting DSL or Cable after being on dial-up.

Now that I did it - I sing that country tune, "What was I thinking?" I don't think I'll go without a Laser Printer ever again.

As for the question at hand - dump the inkjet and GET A LASER PRINTER!

[Cicero]

I have a LaserJet and an Ink cartridge printer in the house. The LaserJet is infinitely better, unless you absolutely need to print in color.

[Mannaggia l'America]

For printing black & white pages, I agree - a laser printer wins hands down. The cost per page is much less than an inkjet. A built-in duplexer makes it even nicer if you need to print both sides of a page.

They admittedly sell the inkjet printers at a loss and make it up with ink cartridges.

However, inkjets do have some advantages - in particular, photo printing and the ability to accept a wider variety of media. I've always had trouble trying to print on 90lb+ cardstock in laser printers - either it misfeeds, the toner doesn't fuse right, or the combination of heat and the rollers curls it.

My Epson 960 inkjet can even print on CD's. I buy blank inkjet printable CD's and use a tray included with the printer to print text and graphics directly on the CD face. Very cool.

The downside is that the printer takes seven (!) ink cartridges - two black and five of varying colors. It sets me back about $80 to replace all of them.

That's why I have both - a laser to print black & white stuff and an inkjet to print photos, cardstock, and CD's.

[FreedomFarmer]

You have obtained one of the Rainbow/PUSH cartridges of color, and have been selected to make a reparation donation in the name of descendents of printer slave cables and unwed printer ports.

[Brian S]

I hear you. My brother in law asked me about 6 months ago if I wanted a old Brother HL730 laser printer since his office upgraded.

Of course I accepted, bought a new toner cartridge off ebay for $25 dollars and now worship that machine.

Only use the fn lexmark for color jobs.

Your right about laser being like getting DSL or Cable.

I'm seeing ads from bestbuy/office deport selling new HP/Brother and Samsung lasers for around $100 with rebate.

[bvw]

16 pound sledgehammer does the most proper job on HP printers,

[DonQ]

I have one of the 5550 model. It does not use a microchip in the cartridges but it seems set to report that a cartridge is "low" while it still has enough ink for at least 50 more pages. I do not know why it won't reset when a new cartridge is put in but I will hazard a few wild guesses:

1. Is it possible the "new" cartridge is a dud, maybe one already used up?
2. Is the cellaphane tape completely off the mettalic sensors on the cartridge?
3. Is it possible that you've replaced the black ink cartridge but the "low" signal is for the color cartridge (or vice versa)?
4. Have you tried yet another new cartridge to make sure it's the printer and not the cartridge that has a problem? (Yes, I know they're expensive. If you think the cartridge is still good, keep it airtight in a baggie).
5. Try carefully cleaning the metallic sensor strip on the cartridge and the corresponding sensor in the printer to make sure the contacts are good.
6. I have usually had reasonably good results from e-mailing the Hewlett-Packard tech help feature on the HP website. Be sure to clearly and completely describe the situation.

Good luck.