HP 940XL ink cartridge reads as empty

After remanufacturing it is possible for the ink cartridge chip has failed to be reset, and therefore will read as empty in the printer when used. The cartridge is full. Users can have rest the chip manually by pushing the reset button on the printer in for 5 seconds. If you don't have a "Reset" button then look for either "Stop", "Cancel", or "X".  On some models holding down the right arrow key on the display for 5 seconds will let the printer function again. (This does not reset the chip back to full, it just allows the printer to continue to print)

If we have an further updates we’ll post it here.

HP Serial and Parallel Cables

Serial

Parallel

Sometimes the serial cables don't work for bigger files, and to try the parallel cable (some people will tell you that there is no difference between parallel and serial in delivery of data). The drivers for this cable (parallel ) might  install instantly and automatically (unlike the serial cable).  Don’t forget not to get the LPT ports mixed up either. The printer will not recognize that it is even connected to the computer.  Using the  parallel cable you’re to find the pc will download and install it’s driver, it may also download and install automatically the PCL5 driver.

A printer might  print much faster on a PCL5 driver, and it even prints pdf files (even reading the page size and pulls paper from the correct drawers) correctly.

Documentation from HP says to use only PCL 6 drivers for this printer, and to use serial port. Try the parallel cable you  more likely to have success.

HP Laserjets - Entering Service Mode

Note: service mode is intended for repair technicians and generally the only reason to enter service mode is to change the maintenance count

HP Laserjet 8000, 8100, and 8150 Series service mode
1. Hold down SELECT and JOB CANCEL while powering on the printer, until all lights are illuminated and the Display is blank. (If the Display Panel reads INTERNAL TEST at this point, the keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2. Press MENU, then SELECT. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed briefly, then the printer automatically begins an INTERNAL TEST. After several seconds, both Control Panel Indicators turn off. (The printer may display WARMING UP if it has not warmed up completely.) After the printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press MENU once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press GO.
HP Laserjet 5si service mode
1 Hold down [Items] and [+] while powering ON the printer, until all lights are illuminated and the Display is blank. (If the Display Panel reads INTERNAL TEST at this point, the keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2 Press [Select]. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed briefly, then the printer automatically begins an INTERNAL TEST. After several seconds, both Control Panel Indicators turn OFF. (The printer may display WARMING UP if it has not warmed up completely.) After the printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press [On Line].

HP Laserjet 4V and 4MV service mode
1. Hold down the [On Line], [Form Feed], and [Enter] keys while powering ON the printer, until all lights are illuminated and the Display Window is blank. (If the Display Window reads 05 SELF TEST at this point, the keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2. Press the [Form Feed] key, then the [Enter] key. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed briefly, then the printer automatically begins a 05 SELF TEST.
After several seconds, both Control Panel Indicators turn OFF. (The printer may display 02 WARMING UP if it has not warmed up completely.) After the printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press the [On Line] key.
HP Laserjet 5000 series service mode
1. Hold down [Select] and [Cancel Job] while turning on the printer.
(If the control panel reads INITIALIZING, the keys were released too soon.)
2. Press the right side of the [Menu] key, then press [Select]. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
To exit the Service Mode press [Go].
HP Laserjet 4100 series service mode
1 While turning on the printer, hold down SELECT and CANCEL JOB until all of the lights on the control panel are lit.
2 Press the right side of the MENU key, then press SELECT. The message SERVICE MODE temporarily appears and will reappear when the printer completes the initialization process.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
5. To exit the service mode, press GO.
Note: If READY appears in the control panel, the keys might have been released too soon, or the wrong keys were pressed.
HP Laserjet 4000 and 4050 series service mode
1 Hold down [Select] and [Cancel Job] while turning on the printer until all of the lights on the Control Panel are lit. (If the Control Panel reads INITIALIZING, the keys were released too soon.)
2 Press the right side of the [Menu] key, then press [Select]. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
5. To exit the Service Mode press [Go].
HP Laserjet 4 and 4 plus series service mode
1. Hold down the [On Line], [Form Feed], and [Enter] keys while powering ON the printer, until the ON LINE and FORM FEED indicators are both illuminated and the Display Window is blank. (If the Display Window reads 05 SELF TEST at this point, the keys were released too soon. Repeat this step until successful.)
2. Press the [Form Feed] key, then the [Enter] key. The message SERVICE MODE is displayed briefly, then the printer automatically begins a 05 SELF TEST. After several seconds, the ON LINE and FORM FEED lights turn OFF.
(The printer may display 02 WARMING UP if it has not warmed up completely.) After the printer has warmed up and passed the self test, SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. Press [Menus] once to display SERVICE MENU.
4. Once it says SERVICE MENU press ITEM to scroll through service mode items.
5. To exit the Service Mode press the [On Line] key.

HP Laserjet 5 series service mode
1. Hold down the Menu+ and Value+ keys while powering on the printer. Hold the keys down until SERVICE MODE is displayed.
2. The interrupted power-on self test is resumed. If the test completes successfully, the message SERVICE MODE is displayed.
3. To exit service mode, press the Go button.

Laserjets 5P, 6P, 2100, 2200 and other printers that do not have a display panel (LEDs only).
These models are designed as low volume personal printers and do not have a maintenance count that needs to be reset or a readily accessible service mode. You can cold reset these printers or completely reinitialize the NVRAM (nonvolatile ram) to factory defaults. Cold resetting will reset most of the system parameters to factory defaults and reinitializing the NVRAM will reset ALL system parameters to the factory defaults. Also, there is a service mode for these printers but it is only accessible through software using PJL service mode commands. Buy the printer's service manual if you want to learn more.
HP Laserjet 5L, 6L, 1100, 1200 do not have a service mode. You can only perform a cold-reset and continuous self-test.
Multifunction printers - printers/copiers/fax/scanners (e.g. HP 3100, 3150, 3200, etc.)
Service modes in these printers are more extensive because of the scanning and faxing features. We recommend buying the service manual for these units if you will be doing any repairs beyond mechanical components.

Perform Printer Maintenance

HP LaserJets - Clearing the maintenance count and service message

If the display panel on your HP LaserJet reads "perform printer maintenance", "perform user maintenance", or anything along those lines it means your printer needs a preventative maintenance kit, which includes a fuser and various rollers. Once you have installed the maintenance kit the message will only go away if you clear the maintenance count. For example the LaserJet 4000 has a 200,000 page maintenance interval. Once you reach 200,000 pages the error message appears and you need to reset the maintenance count to zero to make the message go away.

Reset the maintenance count on an HP LaserJet 4000, 4050, 4100, 5000
"The Short Cut Method"
1. Turn the printer off.
2. Hold down the Item key (minus side of the button) and Value key (minus side).
3. Turn the printer on.
4. Wait for RESET MAINTENANCE COUNT to be displayed and then release both keys.

NOTE: Some versions of the 4000, 4050, 4100, and 5000 will NOT have their maintenance count reset by following the preceding "short cut" method. This is due to the many different formatter board revisions. If the short cut method doesn't reset the maintenance count then you will need to go into service mode to manually reset the maintenance count to zero.

Reset the maintenance count on an HP LaserJet 8000, 8100, and 8150
The Service Manual indicates you need go into the Configuration Menu and set the SERVICE MESSAGE = to OFF to clear the PERFORM PRINTER MAINTENANCE message. We have found that this does not always work (probably due to different formatter revisions). We recommend the following procedure to manually set the maintenance count to zero.
After installing a maintenance kit, reset the maintenance count to zero by:
1. Enter service mode as described on our entering service mode page.
2. Go to the MAINTCOUNT screen and press + or - to scroll the number to zero (all zeros).
3. Press the Select button to enter the settings into the printers memory (an asterisk will appear next to the zeros).
4. Exit service mode by pressing the GO button.
NOTE: Do not change the MAINTENANCE INTERVAL value, which is another option in service mode. This value is the interval at which a maintenance kit should be installed (350,000 pages on LaserJet 8000, 8100, or 8150 series).

Reset the maintenance count an HP LaserJet 5si
After you install the maintenance kit, you can clear the PERFORM USER MAINTENANCE message by going to the printers control panel Configuration Menu and setting the SERVICE MESSAGE = to OFF. Note: this message will only appear in the Configuration Menu if the PERFORM USER MAINTENANCE message appears.

Reset the maintenance count on an HP LaserJet 4100MFP, 4101MFP, 4200, 4300, 4250, 4350, 9000

1. Turn the product off.
2. Turn the product on.
3. Press and hold down the checkmark (Select) button while the memory is counting. The memory starts counting at 000MB immediately after you turn the power on.
4. Continue to hold down the checkmark (Select) button until all three LEDs are illuminated.
5. Release the checkmark (Select) button.
6. Press the up arrow (Navigation) button until the message New Maintenance Kit appears on the control panel display.
7. Press the checkmark button once.

(Note: on LaserJets 4200, 4300, 9000 you can hold down the checkmark button as you turn the power on, then wait for the three LEDs to illuminate. On the LaserJets 4250, 4350 series you need to wait until you turn the power on and the memory starts counting before you hold the checkmark button.)

A message New Maintenance will appear in the control panel display and the printer will reset.

Note: HP LaserJets 4V, 4, 4 plus, and 5 do not have a maintenance count to be reset.

Why no ink is coming out of the ink cartridge I just got refilled

Signs that there is a problem with the ink cartridge that just got refilled

• Text document printed starts to fade
• "Banding" a document does print at first with white lines through text but then gets better down the page
• No ink coming out of cartridge
• Cartridge is empty

There is a partial blockage to the printhead nozzles that deliver the ink onto the paper.

An air bubble/air lock in the cartridge chamber between the internal sponge and the printhead

The electrical circuit to the cartridge is damaged enough

The cartridge is indeed empty

List of DIY remedies to get the ink flowing out of the cartridge assuming there is ink

• Regular and then deep print head cleaning cycles
• Let the printhead sit in hot water (just deep enough to cover the nozzles) and let thoroughly dry
• Used a humidifier to steam the clogged printhead

Some other suggested methods we have found

• You need Ammonia based glass cleaner, a small dish, tissue (soft toilet paper will do)
  1) Fold a few sheets of tissue, let it sit on a dish, and spray ammonia-based glass cleaner on the paper until its thoroughly wet.
  2) Let the printhead sit on the wet tissue.
  3) Let a few drops of the glass cleaner on the metallic pickup discs.
  4) VERY GENTLY, push the printhead on the tissue and then pull a little faster. Repeat a few times. Ink should appear on the tissue.
  5) Throw away the wet tissue and repeat steps 1-4. The second time you should notice ink or cleaning fluid appearing on the pickup discs as you push the printhead.
  With a dry sheet of tissue, clean up the printhead contacts and the areas around the pickup discs.
  Don't brush the nozzles or the pickup discs. Don't let the printhead dry; insert it in the head carriage, insert your cartridges and run a cleaning cycle.

(Disclosure: we only offer these as: use at your own discretion)

Lexmark 100XL tries to stop you using compatible inks

Lexmark recently released a new firmware and upload to their website. New Firmware will block 3rd party 100xl cartridges to use on their printer. If your customers are using Remanufactured Lexmark 100XL all colors, please DON'T download this new firmware. Thank you.

Please click following link for details.

WARNING  !!! LEXMARK FIRMWARE SITE INFO

http://tonernews.com/Message.aspx?vy=bb&id=23858
http://tonernews.com/Message.aspx?vy=bb&id=23857

What does the chip on a cartridge do?

Some are aimed at helping toner cartridge users avoid using counterfeit cartridges, software communicates the information from the smart chip to an authentication service through the Internet back to the printer manufacturer.

Most of the time it's to make it more difficult for the consumers using after market (remanufactured) cartridges being used in the printer-- or in other words to prevent you from saving money. The printer interrogates the chip to see whether the cartridge is from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), in order to protect their revenue stream.

Other functions it can perform are ink/toner levels, page count, automatic re-ordering through the OEM web store thereby by passing consumers right to choice.