INK TANK – The print heads are not integrated into the cartridges.  Do NOT perform the paper towel method.

This is a re-manufactured cartridge which means this is an OEM HP cartridge that has been rechipped/reset and refilled.

The black cartridge is physically larger than the color cartridges.

Not Recognizing

 

Verify you have the correct cartridges for your specific printer model.

 

There is a smart chip located on the back of the cartridge.  Check the chip for damage or debris.  A clean, soft, lint-free, cloth can be used to gently clean the gold contacts.

 

In rare occasions the cartridge may read as expired.  To get past this, press the OK button on the printer.  The ink level will still read correctly and the cartridge will print as normal even though it read as expired.

 

Check to make sure the correct color is going into the correct slot.  The slots on the printer are colored keyed as well as shape keyed.

 

Verify that the cartridge is fully inserted and that the cartridge holder clip is locked into place.  To install the cartridges into an HP C6180 printer do the following;

For installation instructions on different HP printers that use the HP02 cartridges, the User’s Guide are available on HP’s Support Site.

–          Open the printer cover

 

–          Squeeze the tab on the bottom of the cartridge holder clip and lift it open

 

–          Match the color and shape pattern of the cartridge to the correct slot in the printer.  Push the cartridge into the slot then close the cartridge holder clip until it snaps into place.

 

–          Close the printer cover and allow the printer to initialize the new cartridges.  This takes around 5 minutes.

 

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Click on the YouTube video below to view a video on removing and installing the HP02 cartridge into an HP C6180 printer

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQi2WtMqaaE[/youtube]

 

 

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For ink system error messages, there is one troubleshooting technique that may resolve the issue.  This worked on a C7280 printer;

1. Press and Hold the * key on the key pad
2. While holding the * key, press down on the # key
3. Once pressed, release both buttons at the same time.
4. A message will display asking for a technical code,  type in the code ‘123’
5. Using the right arrow key (located next to the OK button), scroll through the options until you see System Config displayed on the panel
6. Press OK to select
7. It should now display error conditions with the option to “clear”, do so using the OK button
8. Hit the Cancel button several times to clear out of the menu
9. Power Machine Off/On

The machine will go through a startup sequence and once completed, the ink system failure error will have been removed and you should now be able to print.

It is possible to receive an Improper Shut Down message after clearing the initial error condition. Powering the printer on and off will still continue to have the message displayed until you select the OK button to continue.  Afterwards, the printer will go through the startup sequence and you will be able to print.

 

Print Quality Issues

 

Try gently shaking the cartridge and make sure that the cartridge holder clip locks securely over the cartridge.

 

For any print quality related issue a print head cleaning should be ran.  To perform the cleaning on an HP C6180 printer do the following;

–          Press the Setup button

–          Use the up and down arrows to select Tools.  Press OK.

–          Use the up and down arrows to select Cleaning.  Press OK to begin the cleaning process.

 

 

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Click on the YouTube video below to watch a video on accessing the Cleaning on an HP C6180 printer

 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO2x7swK8Ww[/youtube]

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For instructions on different HP printers that use the HP02 cartridges, the User’s Guide are available on HP’s Support Site.

Sometimes a second cleaning may be required to fully resolve a print quality issue.  If the second cleaning does not resolve the issue try running a third cleaning but allow the printer to sit for 10 minutes after cleaning BEFORE attempting to print again.  This allows the ink to soak on the print head.  Print head cleaning does consume ink so it should be done sparingly.

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify you have the correct cartridges for your specific printer model.  Make sure the correct color is going into the correct slot.  Each cartridge and slot are color keyed as well as have a specific shape symbol.  Check that cartridge is being installed in the correct direction.  The chip should be facing the printer and the label should be upright and facing you.  In rare occasions the label on the cartridge may be upside down so try flipping the cartridge and re-inserting.