Printer thinks it needs ink

I have an HP Deskjet 5940. Whenever I print something, I get a screen that shows ink levels, which I usually can just close and the document gets printed. Now this screen says it is only an approximation of how much ink there is, and the pages that it printed earlier this evening in grayscale were sharp and clear...ink color nice and dark. So I do not think I needed a new cartridge, I think the printer does a poor job of approximating the remaining ink. But the machine refused to print, instead the "drop-shaped" light on my machine started furiously blinking, as did the power button and the "down-arrow" button.
Recently it did this same thing, and I just opened the machine cover and re-closed it, and it went ahead and printed my document. But tonite it just refused to printno matter what I tried, so I gave in and replaced the ink cartridge.
So here is my question...since the printer knows that it can only approximate the level of ink remaining in my cartridge, why would it refuse to print without giving me a way to "override" it to go ahead and print when I know the ink level is okay? Or am I doomed to replace the hellaciously expensive cartridge every time the machine thinks I need to?

It seems simple enough, but this is one of the most effective ways of fixing printer cartridge error. Mostly, printer cartridge error occurs when the printer head is unable to identify the cartridge properly. And the basic reason behind this is that the cartridge is improperly attached.
To reattach the cartridge check the following steps :
turn on the lid of the printer and then remove the cartridge from the printer head.
Check the cartridge to make sure that there are no scratches or other damaged parts that can contribute to a printer cartridge error report.
Take note that the cartridge should not be left open for more than 30 minutes; otherwise the ink will start to dry up and the cartridge will get clogged.

Similar Messages

Do I need ink in my 6500A printer to send a fax

do i need ink in my 6500A inorder to fax? also ho do I darken my text in order to copy?

@virgiv
Welcome to the forums!
Yes, you will need to have ink installed to fax. The printer should go into an "error state", and ask for you to replace an ink cartridge to proceed with the functionalities of the printer, whether it be printing, scanning, copying, etc.
As for changing the copies from light to dark or vise versa, select the Copy Menu, Settings, and Lighter/Darker to change these settings.
I hope this helps you
R a i n b o w 7000I work on behalf of HP
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C5380 - I want to print using ONLY black ink cartridge. Is this possible?

Hi Folks,
I now understand that this model, HP C5380 and I'm guessing many others too, are programed to use an amount of colour ink even when selected to print in Black.
My question is: Can I somehow program the printer to 'only print using the black ink cartridge' and not use the colour cartridges at all?
I have heard that this is possible with some models but need the specifics.
I am even willing to permanently disable the colour function if needed. The replacement ink catridges are so very expensive, if I'm unable to do this then I'll be looking for another printer and it won't be HP. Thi is unfortunate because I think they make a good quality product - however they need to be on notice that their customers 'good will' and return business will not be forthcoming when they (and other compaines) continue to use money making strategies like this.
Many Thanks in advance for your time, B

Hi berni7 ,
I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post serial numbers and case details.
If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, this post has instructions.
Please click “Accept as Solution " if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
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Jamieson
I work on behalf of HP
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Printing from Photoshop to EpsonR3000 on MacOSX.8.5 on photoshop manages colors I cannot print with matte black ink

Because it doesnt recognise the matte paper selection and defaults to glossy. If I select matte black ink at the printer manually and send to print, it will not print amd asks for black ink to be switched to photo black. Help! I've spoken to Epson and switched the printer once and they have demonstrated it works in Preview and say talk to Adobe.

Tom-Rockwell wrote:
I think you need to re-install the Epson print driver. I've seen this issue with upgrades to Lion, too.
Yup, its the Gutenprint driver that replaced the Epson driver. As you say, reinstall the correct driver from Epson. Then NEVER let Apple’s Software Update ever update drivers (that’s the kiss of death).

Printer won't print email with black ink, how do I correct this?

I am new here, and seek some help. My wife's i-Mac computer has a problem of not printing email with black ink. However, the printer will print email text in all colors, but not with black ink. The printer goes through all the motion/movements like it is printing in black, but only a blank sheet of paper is the result. However, it will print a black horizontal line (topic divider) across the paper in black ink, if that is shown in the email. Strangely, the printer will print using black ink when asked to print a word doc. The ink jet cartridge is new, so it is not an issue of being low on black ink.
I have changed printers, but still experience the very same strange problem. Is this a software problem, or a computer setting that needs to be adjusted? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rooster2 wrote:
I am new here, and seek some help. My wife's i-Mac computer has a problem of not printing email with black ink. However, the printer will print email text in all colors, but not with black ink. The printer goes through all the motion/movements like it is printing in black, but only a blank sheet of paper is the result. However, it will print a black horizontal line (topic divider) across the paper in black ink, if that is shown in the email. Strangely, the printer will print using black ink when asked to print a word doc. The ink jet cartridge is new, so it is not an issue of being low on black ink.
I have changed printers, but still experience the very same strange problem. Is this a software problem, or a computer setting that needs to be adjusted? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Your profile indicates you are running 10.0.x
Without knowing your real OS, it's not easy to answer your question
Message was edited by: nerowolfe

Why can't I print in just black ink?

I keep being told my colour ink has run out. It is VERY expensive. Why can't I choose to print just in black?

Please read this post then provide some details. What printer model?
HP and other printer manufacturers have different printer technologies for different needs. For inkjet printers:
Some have printheads built into the ink cartridges. These printers can typically print with one or more of the colors completely empty, or even with color or black (but not both) cartridges removed. The Deskjet 6980 series is an example, or for an all-in-one see the Officejet 8040.
Other printers have separate ink supplies and replaceable printheads. An example would be the Officejet 8600 series printer. The printhead in these printers can be replaced if they are damaged by running the printhead with colors out. Some of these printers will allow printing with a color out, other will not. If the printer is run without ink in one or more colors the printer may be damaged, but the user may be able to recover without having to send the printer for service.
Other printers have permanent printheads. To run these without some ink in all the colors would risk causing damage to the printhead due to clogs, air ingested in the printhead or burned out printhead firing resistors. The Officejet 6700 is an example of this type of printer. For printers with fixed printheads this could require service to get the printer to print properly again when the ink is finally replaced.
The document here describes how ink is used. While the document is written for HP Inkjet printers the same principles apply to inkjet printers from other manufacturers.
If you never print in color a laser printer would likely be a better choice. If you occasionally print color but mostly black an IPH printer like those in the first category above may be a good choice.
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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I think I need help with driver (software) settings for D110a

I think I need help with driver (software) settings for D110a all-in-one
Product: D110a all-in-one
OS: Windows XP Professional
Error messages: None
Changes before problem appeared: None--new installation
The quality of photo images (mostly JPG files) in printouts is awful even though the files display beautifully on the PC screen. I am using
IrfanView software for displaying/printing. As far as I can tell, IrfanView is not the problem.
When I print the same images on a Deskjet 5150 attached to a different PC also running XP Pro and IrfanView, the quality of the printouts is at
least acceptable, Some would probably say good or very good.
It's dificult to explain in words the problem with the printouts. A picture of really pretty vegetables (squashes, tomatoes, watermelon, etc) comes
out much too red. Moreover, the red, which appears shaded on the screen, seems to be all one shade in the D110a printouts.
Something similar happens to a view of a huge tree in full leaf. On screen, there are subtle variations in the "greenness" of the leaves. In the
printout, all green is the same shade. In the same printout, the trunk of the tree is all a single shade of grey. It isn;t even obvious that the
trunk is a round, solid object.
I liken the effect to audio that disappears entirely when you lower the volume and gets clipped into square waves in even moderately loud passages.
I don't know whether the D110a driver software permits adjusting the parameters that appear to be set incorrectly, and if adjustments are possible,
how I would identify which parameters to adjust, how I would access them, or how I would adjust them. I'm hoping that someone can help. Thanks.
I forgot to mention that I have used the diagnostic application and it tells me that there are no problems.
e-mail me at [email protected]

brazzmonkey wrote:
Hi everyone,
I noticed the following message when network starts on my gateway
Warning: This functionality is deprecated.
Please refer to /etc/rc.conf on how to define a single wired
connection, or use a utility such as netcfg.
Then I realized the way network settings should be written in rc.conf has changed. But I can't figure out how this should be done.
Currently, my set up is the following (old way):
INTERFACES=(eth0 eth1)
eth0="dhcp"
eth1="eth1 192.168.0.10 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255"
ROUTES=(!gateway)
eth0 is on DHCP because the IP is dynamically assigned my ISP.
eth1 has a fix IP because it's on the LAN side.
No problem to use DHCP on eth0 with the new settings.
But for eth1, I don't know what I am supposed to write for gateway.
Wiki isn't clear on that one either, and it looks like many articles still refer to the old way.
Any guidance appreciated, thanks.
brazzmonkey,
you can't define 2 interfaces the old way (even though I saw some tricky workaround somewhere in the forums).
Use, f.e., netcfg:
Comment your old lines.
In /etc/rc.conf insert:
NETWORKS=(Eth0-dhcp Eth1-static)
DAEMONS=(..... !network @net-profiles ....)
In /etc/network.d create 2 files:
First one is named Eth0-dhcp.
Contents:
CONNECTION="ethernet"
DESCRIPTION="Whatever text"
INTERFACE=eth0
HOSTNAME="your hostname"
IP="dhcp"
DHCP_TIMEOUT=15
Second one is named Eth1-static.
Contents:
CONNECTION='ethernet'
DESCRIPTION='whatver'
INTERFACE='eth1'
HOSTNAME='hname'
IP='static'
ADDR='192.168.0.10'
GATEWAY='192.168.0.1' # your gateway IP
DNS=('192.168.0.1') # your DNS server
The names Eth0-dhcp and Eth1-static are not magic. They just must be the same in rc.conf and in /etc/network.d.
Hope it helps.
mektub
PS: netcfg must be installed.
Last edited by Mektub (2011-07-20 14:07:05)

Do I need INK in every slot to work my hpphotosmartall-in one machine???

HELP!!!

Hi,
Yes, uou need ink on every slot to allow printer to work properly.
Regards.
BH
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Unable to scan due to printer cartridge low on ink.

Is there anyway to bypass that there is no ink in a cartridge to allow me to only scan at the moment? It will not find printer due to being out of blank ink.

Hi,
As in few of my posts/messages before which said "Vendors (all, not just HP) should allow users to scan withou inks" but the reason behind: their main functions: PRINT therefore no inks, no work. They need inks to protect themselves.
Hope this makes sense.
Regards.
BH
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HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 1515 printer wont print after replacing black ink cartridge

Hello.
My HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 1515 printer has been working correctly since a year.
I had to replace both ink cartridges and I changed only the black one since I needed that one most.
But, the lights keep flashing and the printer wont print. Please help?

Hi @RRGS,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
I see that your HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 1515 printer will not print after replacing black ink cartridge, and your lights are still flashing. I am happy to help!
What lights are flashing on the printer?
In the meantime, please see this guide, Blinking Lights on the HP Deskjet 1510 and Deskjet Ink Advantage 1510 Printer Series.
Hope this guide helps!
RnRMusicMan
I work on behalf of HP
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Printer Printing only in Blue Ink

Printer is only printing in blue ink. I recently changed all the cartridges (HP brand) and also did the clean pin head function on the printer under tools. Nothing is working! Any tips?? Thanks!

Hi , Welcome to the HP Forums! I see that your HP Officejet 6700 is only printing in blue. I am happy to help you with this printing issue! Please, try the steps within this print quality guide, Printer Prints a Blank Page or Does Not Print Black or Color Ink for the HP Officejet 6600 e-All-in-One and 6700 Premium e-All-in-One Printer Series. If this does not resolve your issue, then the printer will need to be serviced/or replaced. Please contact HP, phone support for further assistance. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region. Country-language selector. Best of luck! “Please click the Thumbs up icon below to thank me for responding.”

Lost connection between Power Book G4 and Brother Printer/Fax. Need help.

I am a new Mac user and until recently had a successful wireless connection to the Brother printer/fax. Address # 192.168.1.100 While printing a job I ran out of ink. I turned the printer off to replace the cartridge and lost the connection to the wireless powerbook. The printer works because it prints jobs from the PC that it is connected to by wire. So far I have clicked on "system preferences", clicked print and fax, Clicked + ato add printer and put the address in. Nothing is working. The message says, cannot connect to printer. I need serious, detailed help. My husband connects everything and gets it running and he just left for Iraq! Thanks so much!!

Hello! In the printer setup utility choose "show Jobs" and see if you can click on "start jobs". It's probably gotten stuck because it ran out of ink. Tom

Blackberry World thinks I need to update Apps that are already up-to-date. (Infinite Update Loop)

Hello,
I have been having trouble with Blackberry World. It states that I have apps that need updating, but I already have the most recent update of these apps. In addition, BBW states that I need updates for apps that I no longer have installed on my phone. (and I cant seem to uninstall these apps via BBW)
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Hi, I've tried clearing the cache multiple times. With or without reboot, it doesn't seem to fix the problem.
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any other suggestions?

Does anyone know the power cord part for HP A532 printer? I need a replacement cord. THANKS!

Does anyone know the power cord part for HP A532 printer? I need a replacement cord. THANKS!

Here's the steps to follow if your printer isn't turning on.
If you've gone through all those steps and you still don't have power, there are a lot of places that sell a replacement cord and supply for that printer.
I am an HP employee.

I'm a newbee, (Win Tech) Would like to know what command it is for reaching the reinstall menu at boot-up. I do not meen cmd r menu wich just install OSX above the OS. I think I need a totally fresh installation. Do you have any clue?

I'm a newbee, (Win Tech) Would like to know what command it is for reaching the reinstall menu at boot-up.
I do not meen cmd r menu wich just install OSX above the OS. I think I need a totally fresh installation.
Do you have any clue? Have several issues on a new MacBookPro but it's propably "PEBKAC" made..
Uffe

It is Command+r or for the online internet system it is Command+option/Alt+r keys. Then you use Disk Utility to erase the macintosh partition, from the built in recovery hd, or you can repartition the drive as one partition from the online system.
To actually get to the online internet system you have to hold that key combo down until you see a globe on the screen. Otherwise it will just boot from the built in recovery hd on the internal drive.

Printer thinks it needs ink

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