C9390A, C9448A, C9449A, C9450A, C9451A, C9453A, C9454A, C9455A, C9456A, C9457A, and C9459A

INK TANK – THESE DO NOT HAVE THE PRINT HEADS INTEGRATED.  DO NOT DO THE PAPER TOWEL METHOD WITH THESE CARTRIDGES.

 

There are 10 different colors and 1 gloss optimizer in this series so it is important to verify they have the correct cartridge for their specific printer model.  Not all colors may be compatible with all the printers that use the HP 70 series.

These are all pigment based.

 

Not Recognizing

 

Verify you have the correct cartridges for your specific model of printer.  This is very important since this series of cartridges contains 11 different colors and a gloss optimizer which may not all be compatible with every printer that uses the HP 70s.

 

There’s a smart chip located on the bottom inside of the cartridge.  Check the chip for damage or debris.  A Q-tip can be used to reach and wipe the gold contacts.

 

Make sure the cartridge is firmly pressed into place and installed correctly.  If the cartridge is not pushed down far enough the chip will not make proper contact.

 

To remove and install these cartridges into a HP Designjet Z3100 printer do the following;

–          Press the Menu key to return to the main menu and select the ink menu icon, then Replace Ink Cartridges.

 

–          Open the ink cartridge cover completely.  Gloss enhancer, gray, blue, green, magenta, and yellow are in the left side, while light magenta, light cyan, photo black, light grey, matte black, and red are in the right side.

 

–          Grip the cartridge you wish to remove, in this case the magenta.  Pull the cartridge straight up.

 

–          Insert the new cartridge into the slot.  Make sure the right color is being inserted into the correct slot.

 

–          Push the cartridge into the slot until it snaps into position.  You should hear a beep and see confirmation that the cartridge has been inserted.

 

–          Close the cover.  The front-panel display confirms that all cartridges have been correctly inserted, press the OK key on the front panel.

 

Print Quality Issues

 

This printer automatically periodically cleans the print heads, however you can manually clean the print heads on the Designjet Z3100 by doing the following;

–          Press the Menu key and select Image Quality

–          Click on the Maintenance Menu Icon and then select Clean Print Heads

 

Smearing, missing lines, and spotting are usually print head related issues.  Sometimes print head cleaning can resolve this however the print head may also be at its end of life and need to be replaced.

 

These cartridges install into separate, replaceable, print heads.  The print heads are maintenance items and will need to be replaced after a certain amount of usage.  There are two colors to each print head, IE Yellow and Magenta are one print head.  HP doesn’t provide any specific page yield for the print heads however the printer will notify you when they need replacing.  They should also be replaced if a print quality issue is narrowed down to one.

 

Do NOT attempt the paper towel method with this cartridge.

 

Covering the nozzles on the bottom with a paper towel, try gently shaking the cartridge.

 

The print heads themselves can be physically cleaned.  To remove and clean the print heads on an HP Designjet Z3100 do the following;

–          Press the Menu key to return to the main menu and select the ink menu icon, then Replace Print Heads.

 

–          The printer will move the carriage into position and the front display asks you to open the window.

 

–          Locate the carriage on the right side of the printer.  Pull the handle up and toward you to release the wire loop.

 

–          Push the handle back to raise the carriage lid.

 

–          This gives you access to the print heads.

 

–          To remove a print head, lift up the blue handle.  Be sure to note the locations of the colors and the slot the print head you are removing is located.  In this example it is the yellow/magenta print head.

 

–          Using the blue handle, use steady force to disengage the print head.

 

–          Pull the blue handle upward until the print head is released from the carriage.

 

–          Using a cotton swab moist with a little de-ionized or distilled water, gently clean the bottom of the print head to make sure no dried ink residue is present.  Be careful not to touch the contacts on the side of the print head.

 

–          The print head is designed to prevent you from accidently inserting the wrong color into the wrong color slot.  However, it is important to verify that you are inserting the print head back into its proper color slot.  Use the label on the print head to match the label on the slot in the printer.

 

–          Push down on the top of the print head and make sure it fully seats.

 

–          Close the carriage lid.

 

–          Ensure the end of the blue handle catches the wire loop on the near side of the carriage.

 

–          Lower the handle to rest on the carriage lid.

 

–          Close the window.

 

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify you have the correct cartridges and colors for your specific printer model.  This is important due to the number of colors in this series.  Check the inside of the printer for obstructions.  Check the cartridge themselves for physical damage.