Troubleshooting
Inkjet & Toner Cartridge Troubleshooting Tips & Videos
My Ink Cartridge is not printing correctly?
You should run the print head cleaning utility after installing a new cartridge. This keeps the nozzles clean and ensures optimal print quality. Please refer to your printer manual for instructions.
Make sure to remove all adhesives and tapes to expose the air holes on the cartridge (if applicable).
Do not leave empty cartridges in your printer or your print head may become clogged. Perform a cleaning cycle through your printer utilities option (on your computer) and follow the instructions to print a test page. If you are not sure how to do this please reference your printers’ owner manual or refer to the manufacturer’s web site for further instruction.
As a last resort, replace the cartridge with a new one. If the problem persists then most likely your print head is clogged. The only way to clear this clog is to keep performing cleaning cycles.
Handle your cartridges with care: DO NOT squeeze or apply pressure to the cartridge when removing the tape or plastic cover. This may cause the cartridge to leak.
If the cartridge contains a chip, remove the cover carefully without touching the chip. Touching the chip may cause the cartridge to fail.
If the cartridge you received from Inkgrabber does not fit correctly into your printer, please verify you ordered and received the correct cartridge. Please note that we use part#s that are slightly different than the OEM Manufacturer part#s and that cartridges.
If you've verified that the cartridge is correct, please be sure that you remove the shipping clip and/or blue tape covering the print head. The shipping clip and blue tape are used to prevent damaged to the print head and circuitry of the cartridge. Please avoid touching the chip with your finger.. the natural oils on your hand can actually cause a recognition issue between the cartridge and the printer.
- Cartridges with a print head (All HP, Dell, Lexmark, some Canon)
This is caused by weak contact with the printer, or dirty contact points on the cartridge or printer. Clean the print head and the printer with a lint-free cloth or paper towel dipped in alcohol, distilled water or a non-greasy cleanser. Clean in a circular motion.
Try reinstalling the cartridge. “Drop” the cartridge into the holder and slightly wiggle the cartridge a few times to ensure correct seating. Then lock the cartridge in place.- Cartridges without a print head (Epson, most Canon, Brother, Xerox)
This is most common when using remanufactured Epson ink cartridges with a chip in the front of the cartridge. The reason is that the chip is not properly connecting with the printer. Try pushing it firmly down and make sure it is properly seated. If this does not solve the problem, turn the printer off, remove the cartridge and reinstall, making sure it’s correctly seated. Turn the printer back on and see if the cartridge is recognized. If not repeat this process until it is.
It is virtually impossible for you to receive an empty cartridge from Inkgrabber.com!!
Please understand that in most cases your printer does not “READ” the ink level from the cartridge itself. The printer software measures the level of ink by remembering the number of pages that have been printed since the last cartridge was installed. The printer then ESTIMATES how much ink is left and when the cartridge should be replaced. If you change the cartridge without letting the printer driver reset it will still think you are using the old cartridge. Install the cartridge again using the “install new cartridge” option. This will tell your printer software that you have installed a new cartridge and force it to reset the internal page counter if applicable.Does the printer itself say it's out of ink (blinking light), or does a printer related message box come up on your monitor saying it's empty?
If a light on your printer is blinking (saying 'out of ink'), make sure the contact points on the cartridge are clean.
If it's a printer control program or message box that's telling you it's out, the issue is probably that the printer control software hasn't been reset or told a new cartridge was installed.
99% of inkjet cartridges are foam based cartridges and do not leak in to the printer. It is physically impossible for a foam based cartridge to leak as the foam holds the ink and requires the printer to “pull” the ink out.
The ink that you notice in your printer is caused from frequent turning on/off of your printer, cartridge replacement, alignment & automatic cleaning cycles. The cleaning cycles draw ink out of the cartridge to clean the print-head. Overtime, the reservoir (area under the printer which is covered by thick cardboard or foam) gets filled with this ink and needs to be cleaned or the printer will need to be replaced. This happens especially if the printer is turned on and off every day or is a high usage printer. Some Canon printers will literally shut down if this tray gets full.
- My cartridge number ends with a different letter (A, G or D)? What is the difference and are your cartridges compatible with my printer?
The lettering at the end of a cartridge number indicates the amount of ink that a cartridge contains. All the models (A, G or D) use identical cartridges regardless of the lettering. All of our cartridges are filled to the top (high yield) regardless of the lettering and they are 100% compatible with your printer.
- My printer model is not listed on the cartridge box I received, is this cartridge compatible with my printer?
Not all of the compatible printers will be listed on the cartridge box. Some cartridges are compatible with 30 or more printers and there is simply not enough space on the box to list all the printers. As long as the numbers match your cartridge number, you have the correct cartridge. Physically try them in your printer…. If they are wrong, they will not print, and will not harm your printer.
- The cartridges I received look larger than the ones in my printer.
Some HP, Lexmark and other cartridges sit in a “protective, plastic clip”. In many cases it is black like the cartridge and is “L” shaped. This may make the cartridge appear larger in the pack than your original cartridge. Please open the package and remove the “protective, plastic clip”. After removing the clip the cartridge should look exactly the same as your original cartridge.
In this case you may need to cycle the printer by following these steps:
1- Turn off the printer, with the cartridge installed.
2- Unplug the printer from its power source for 30-60 seconds.
3- Plug in the printer and turn the power back on.
If cycling the printer does not alleviate the error message or flashing light, the cartridge is most likely defective. Please contact us for a replacement cartridge.
If you receive a warning, asking if you wish to continue using a non-OEM cartridges, click “Yes” to proceed and continue your normal printing operation.How to use a Refill Kit
