INK TANK – The print heads are not integrated into the cartridge, do NOT perform the paper towel method.

These are the 1st generation HP 564 and 564XL cartridges and are NOT compatible with printers that use the 2nd generation cartridges.

There are 5 cartridges in this series; Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.

The black is pigment based ink whereas the photo black and colors are dye based.

 

Not Recognizing

 

Verify they have the correct cartridges for their specific printer model.  This is very important with the 564 series cartridges as there are two generations that have different part numbers and chips.  The first generation cartridges will NOT work in printers that use the second generation cartridges.  For more information on the HP 564 generation change click on the link below to view the CSR Blog post on it;

 

http://ldproducts/csr/2012/01/26/hp-564-and-564xl-generation-change/

 

There is a smart chip located on the bottom of the cartridge.  Inspect the chip for damage or debris.  A lint-cloth can be used to gently clean the four gold contact points.

 

IMPORTANT:  These cartridges will NOT read the correct ink levels.  It’s normal for a message to pop up and say that non-genuine HP cartridges are not installed and that the cartridges are low or empty.  You will need to press OK to continue for each color installed.  A paper insert is included with the cartridge that goes over two steps which may be necessary.  View the pictures below to read the instructions (click on the pictures to enlarge them);

 

Verify they have the correct color installed into the correct color slot.

 

To remove and install these cartridges into a HP PhotoSmart C5324 printer do the following;

NOTE:  For specific instructions on a particular printer model that also uses these cartridges please view the User’s Guide for the printer available on HP’s website.

–          Open the ink cartridge access door by lifting from the front right of the cover, until the door locks into place.  Wait until the print carriage moves to the center of the printer.

 

–          Press the tab on the front of the color ink cartridge that needs to be replaced, and then remove it from the slot.  Make sure to make note of the different locations of the color cartridges.

 

–          Make sure you have the correct color cartridge for the cartridge being replaced.  On some printers, such as the PhotoSmart C5324, the printer uses a Photo Black as well as a normal pigment Black.  The Photo Black will install on the left furthermost slot and the normal Black installs into the right furthermost spot.  Slide the cartridge into the slot until it clicks into place.

 

–          Close the ink cartridge door.

 

Click on the picture below to view an animation on removing and installing the cartridges into a HP PhotoSmart C5324 printer

 

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Print Quality Issues

 

There is a tape seal on the top of the cartridge which must be removed prior to installation.  This opens a vent hole that allows the ink to evacuate the cartridge properly.

 

There’s an orange plastic protective clip which must be removed prior to installation.

 

Print quality issues can occur for a variety of reasons.  There is a print quality report that can be printed from the printer that will help you determine what the issue is.  To print this print quality report on the PhotoSmart C5324 do the following;

–          Make sure plain white paper is loaded.

–          Press SETUP

–          Press the down arrow button to highlight TOOLS, and then press OK.

–          Press the down arrow button to highlight PRINT QUALITY REPORT, and then press OK.

 

Look at the print quality report to try to determine if the problem is occurring with a particular color, if it is a paper issue, or narrow down what the issue is.

 

For all print quality issues a printhead cleaning should be performed.  To run a printhead cleaning on a PhotoSmart C5324 do the following;

–          Press SETUP.

–          Press the down arrow button to highlight TOOLS, and then press OK.

–          Press the down arrow button to highlight CLEAN PRINTHEAD, and then press OK.

–          Press any button to return to the TOOLS menu.

 

A second cleaning may be required to fully resolve a print quality issue.  If the problem still isn’t resolved after 2 cleanings run a third cleaning but allow the printer to sit for 10-15 minutes before attempting to print.  This allows the ink to soak on the printhead.  Printhead cleanings should be done sparingly as they do consume ink.

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify they have the correct cartridges for their specific printer model.

 

Make sure that any protective clips or pieces of tape have been removed.

 

Check to make sure that the correct color cartridge is being installed into the correct color slot.  On some printers that use these cartridges there will be a Photo Black in addition to the pigment Black.  The Photo Black is physically the same size as the color cartridges whereas the XL pigment Black is physically thicker.  Make sure they are not trying to install the Photo Black into the pigment Black slot and vice versa.

 

The 1st generation 564XL pigment black is physically much larger than the 564 standard yield pigment black.  If they were running a standard yield black before and now are trying to install the 564XL black they may feel as if the cartridge is too large.  The cartridge will fit into the space.  Also, when installing a 564 standard yield black in place of the 564XL black there will be some space on the sides of the cartridge due to it being much thinner.  This is normal.

 

If the cartridge is not clicking down or keeps popping up then this may be caused by the tab on the side of the cartridge being bent too far into the cartridge body.  Bend the tab away from the cartridge body until it stays at a 45 degree angle.  The tab is pretty malleable and can bend quite a bit without breaking.

 

 

Click the YouTube video below to watch a video on resolving the HP 564s not clicking down

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WWQ4nmjRFM[/youtube]

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Check inside the printer for any obstructions.  Check the cartridge itself for any physical damage.