Aligning cartridge message never stops

Question

I've had this printer for over two years with no problems. I changed the color ink printer cartridge today and the message "Aligning printer cartridge" runs forever and never finishes. If I cancel the alignment, the process starts again. I've replaced the color ink cartridge again. I've turned it on and off. I've taken the cartridges out and turned it on and off. I've restarted my computer. Thanks for any help! 

Answer 1

The alignment page has blocks of black and cyan that are used to align the cartridges.  Are both printing properly?  If either the black or cyan are not printing properly the alignment will fail.
The document here may help resolve the alignment failure.
If the above does not resolve the issue and both black and cyan are printing properly the issue may be because the sensor has become clogged.  In this case you may be able to resolve the issue by cleaning the underside of the sensor with a damp Q-tip.  The sensor is located on the carriage that holds the cartridges, it is below and to the right of the black cartridge toward the back of the carriage.  You could access this as follows:  turn on the printer and open the lid as if you were going to change a cartridge.  Next pull the power cord out without closing the lid or turning off the printer.  You can now gently move the cartridge to the left an inch or so, the alignment sensor will not be accessible.  Gently clean the underside with a damp Q-tip.  Avoid getting the Q-tip into the ink in the service station below the sensor.  After cleaning the sensor move the carriage back to its original place, then plug the printer back in, close the lid and turn it on.
Bob Headrick,  HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
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