247ink Technical Sheet

HP Photosmart Printers - How to Install, Remove, and Clean the Ink Cartridges, Address Ink Cartridge Rejections, and Inspect the Ink Cartridge Cradles
Installing the ink cartridges Removing an incorrectly installed ink cartridge Cleaning the ink cartridges and cradle contacts Addressing ink cartridge rejections All Print Cartridges Are Being Rejected Inspecting the carriage cradles for damage Broken lid keys or lid key locks Broken or bent ink cartridge tension spring Cradle contacts General inspection Examples of incorrectly installed ink cartridges Cartridge installed backwards Print head installed first Ink cartridge overview

Introduction
Numerous errors and print quality issues may occur if the printer ink cartridges have been incorrectly installed or are in need of cleaning. Use the information below to properly install, remove, and reinstall new ink cartridges, clean dirty ink cartridges, address various ink cartridge rejection issues, and inspect the ink cartridge cradles for damage.

Installing the ink cartridges

To ensure proper installation of the ink cartridges, make sure the copper contacts are facing into the printer, and that the cartridge is sitting in the guide rail channels in the appropriately numbered slot with the label facing up. The ink cartridge should slide in easily into their respective slots and the locking arm should drop and lock in place with very little effort.
Figure 1: Ink cartridges properly installed in older printers

Figure 2: Ink cartridges properly installed in newer printers

1. Turn on the printer 2. After opening the ink cartridges packages, remove the shipping tape that covers the print heads. 3. Inspect the contacts, print heads, and the copper strip of each cartridge for any noticeable signs of damage. 4. After lifting the top cover of the printer, wait about three seconds for the carriage to unlock from the capping station then unlock the cartridge locks. On most printers the print cartridge cradle should be all the way to the right hand side before ink cartridges can be installed or removed.
Note: If applicable remove the old cartridges and set them aside.

5. Install each cartridge one at a time, ensuring the following:

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247ink Technical Sheet

That the cartridge number/symbol corresponds to the number/symbol on the cartridge lock flap o That the colored cartridge cap is in the up position. o That the copper contacts are facing toward the interior of the printer. o That the label on the cap can be read Align the rim of the cartridge cap with the guide rails built into the carriage cradle. Gently push the cartridge(s) into the printer until it seems to drop into place. Secure the cartridge locks. Close the top cover. o

6. 7. 8. 9.

Note: If an ink cartridge has been improperly installed, it is possible that the carriage cradle may be damaged when the ink cartridge is removed. To ensure that the carriage cradle is not damaged, remove the ink cartridge as gently as possible. Do not attempt to twist or turn the cartridge, and pull the cartridge straight out, following the configuration of carriage guide slots.

Removing an incorrectly installed ink cartridge

If the ink cartridge has been improperly installed, it is possible that in the process of removing the ink cartridge the carriage cradle may become damaged. To ensure that the carriage cradle is not damaged consult the suggestions below: On most printers the print cartridge cradle should be all the way to the right hand side before the ink cartridges can be removed (see the Users Guide for more details). Some printers may also have a plastic bar that raises up along the bottom of the print cartridge cradle when it is locked. If this bar does not drop down, try unplugging power to the printer. Then plug power back into the printer and make sure it stays powered on when the lid of the printer is raised. Gently remove the ink cartridge, avoid forcing the ink cartridge from the ink cartridge cradle. Do not twist or turn the cartridge. Pull the cartridge straight out, following the carriage guide slots.

Cleaning the ink cartridges and cradle contacts

This process will require a dry lint free cloth, a paper coffee filter or two to three foam swabs. Do not use a paper towel of any type. Begin with the printer turned on and in a ready state. 1. 2. 3. 4. Lift the top cover and, if applicable, unlock all cartridge lock flaps. Remove the cartridges and re-secure all cartridge lock flaps, if applicable. Close the top cover, turn the printer off, and wait for the printer to shut down. Remove the power cord from the printer then unplug the adapter from the wall outlet or surge protector. 5. Locate the copper contacts on each ink cartridge. 6. Position the cartridge so the colored cap is on top and the print heads are facing down. 7. Wipe the contacts with the lint free cloth, paper coffee filter, or foam swab.

Note: Wipe the contact from the top to the bottom edge of the cartridge. Do not touch the print head or contacts at any time, and do not attempt to re-prime the print heads by dabbing them on a towel. Paper fibers may accumulate in the area surrounding the print head on HP Photosmart 300 and 8000 series printers. If the buildup of fibers becomes excessive, white streaks may appear in printouts. Carefully wipe them off without touching the mirrored print head surface. Refer to item 8 in figure 6 below to see the gold area to wipe that surrounds the silver printhead.

8. Lift the printer top cover and unlock the cartridge lock flaps, if applicable. 9. Using another part of the dry cloth, paper coffee filter or another foam swab, clean the contacts in each cartridge cradle. 10. Lock the cartridge lock flaps, if applicable, and close the top cover. 11. Connect the power adapter to a wall outlet, and plug in the power cord to the back of the printer. 12. Turn on the printer, and wait for it to fully power up. 13. Lift the top cover, and wait three seconds for the carriage to unlock from the capping station. 14. Unlock the cartridge lock flaps, if applicable, and begin installing all of the ink cartridges. 15. Lock the cartridge lock flaps, if applicable, and close the printer top cover.
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247ink Technical Sheet

16. If the printer does not automatically print a calibration page, print a self-test.

Addressing ink cartridge rejections

The steps below outline the procedure for correcting an ink cartridge error or any other error known to occur as a result of an ink cartridge rejection. If the printer is an HP Photosmart 7260, 7450, 7660, 7755, 7760, or 7960 series printer and all cartridges are being rejected even after the customer has replaced all the cartridges skip to the section titled." All cartridges are being rejected ." 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Remove the specified ink cartridge from the printer. Check the ink cartridge to insure it is the correct ink cartridge for the printer. Check and record the Warranty date and lot information to insure the ink cartridge is still in warranty. Inspect the ink cartridge contacts for damage. Follow the instructions above to clean the ink cartridge. Clean only the cartridge specified by the error message. Reinstall the ink cartridge using the instructions above. Print a self-test page. If the printer is still rejecting the ink cartridge, repeat the process fro cleaning all the ink cartridges. If after cleaning all the cartridges the printer is still rejecting the cartridge, remove all cartridges from the printer. Install only one ink cartridge. This will allow the printer to print in reserve mode Print an internal clean ink cartridge test page. Check the printed color bars for missing colors, missing lines, or streaks. If the reserve mode test fails and the ink cartridge is not out of ink or beyond the warranty date, replace the ink cartridge. Repeat the procedure for the remainder of the ink cartridges

Note: Not all printers support reserve mode printing. Check the printer users' guide for supported print modes.

All Print Cartridges Are Being Rejected

The power module for the HP Photosmart 7260, 7450, 7660, 7755, 7760, and 7960 series printers may cause false cartridge rejection. If the power module is the cause of the issue, all print cartridges will be rejected. Replacing any or all of the cartridges will not resolve the issue. If, after ensuring the correct cartridges are properly installed and having cleaned the cartridge contacts, the printer is still rejecting all cartridges and is an HP Photosmart 7260, 7450, 7660, 7755, 7760, or 7960 series printer, follow the steps below. 1. Turn off the printer. 2. Disconnect the USB and power cables from printer. 3. If the printer is powered through a surge protector or a power strip, move the printer to a wall outlet that is known to work. 4. Reconnect the power cord only. 5. Turn on the printer. 6. If the printer is still rejecting all cartridges, move the printer to another room and try again. 7. If after moving the printer to another room, the printer still rejects all print cartridges, replace the power module. Do not replace the cartridges or attempt to service the printer. 8. If replacing the power module fails to correct the issue, replace the printer only.

Inspecting the carriage cradles for damage Broken lid keys or lid key locks
Damage to the lid key and lid key lock may occur if a ink cartridge is installed backwards (see Figure 2). If this occurs, the ink cartridge lid key will press down on the finger grip on the back of the ink cartridge causing the lid key lock to break. Inspect the lid key lock for cracks, missing or broken springs, cracked or broken ink cartridge arm. The lid key lock, with firm pressure, should move up and down in its groove with tension being felt from the spring.
Figure 3: Damaged lid key due to incorrectly installed ink cartridge

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247ink Technical Sheet

Broken or bent ink cartridge tension spring
The ink cartridge tension spring is located on the lower right side of each carriage cradle. This wire-like spring, which extends out to the side and slightly upward, should move freely and should not be bent in any direction. This spring prevents horizontal movement of the cartridge to reduce wear on the copper contacts.

Cradle contacts
Check to insure both of the cradle contact sheets look the same. Look for loose or torn contact sheets and broken copper leads.

General inspection
When checking for damage, compare one cartridge cradle with the other one. The two bays should look identical with no loose or broken parts.

Examples of incorrectly installed ink cartridges Cartridge installed backwards

In the figure below, an older style #57 ink cartridge on the left is installed backwards, while the right on the right illustrates a new style ink cartridge installed backwards.
Figure 4: Ink cartridges installed backwards

Print head installed first

The figure below illustrates the two ways an ink cartridge can be improperly installed with the print head first.
Figure 5: Ink cartridges installed print head first

Ink cartridge overview

Use the graphic right to identify the various parts of an HP ink cartridge.
Figure 6: Ink cartridge parts

1. Contact strip 2. Warranty date and lot number 3. Cartridge cap ridge that fits into the cartridge guide rails 4. Lid key 5. Product label 6. Finger grip 7. Part number label 8. Print head

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