If you receive an error message stating that the “alignment failed” or that the ”alignment could not be completed”, this may indicate that the printer is not properly recognizing the cartridge.

• Remove the cartridge from your printer and locate the copper contacts. Ensure that the copper strip is intact; and if so, you will want to clean the contacts from any obstruction or debris as this may be preventing the alignment from completing. 
• Using a lint free cloth (such as a coffee filter), gently wipe the copper contacts to remove any obstruction or debris. 
• It may also be helpful to clean the nozzle plate to ensure a proper ink flow. Dampen a lint-free cloth with bottled water and gently wipe the nozzle plate 2-3 times until you see ink appearing on the cloth. Please note that the ink will stain any underlying surfaces so please use caution and discard the cloth as soon as the nozzle plate has been cleaned. 
• Reinstall your cartridge into the printer and attempt the alignment process again. 

If the error continues, it may be necessary to perform a cleaning cycle to improve the quality of the print and allow the alignment process to be completed. Every printer is different so please consult your printer’s user manual for instructions on performing a cleaning cycle on your specific printer.

If you are not able to perform a cleaning cycle or if the alignment fails even after performing a cleaning cycle, please ensure that the scanner glass is clean and free from fingerprints or debris (this applies to certain models only).

If these steps do not allow the printer to align the cartridge(s), you will need to return the cartridge(s) to the place of purchase.

If you encounter an error message stating that the cartridge cannot be recognized, is an incompatible cartridge, the wrong cartridge is installed or if your printer has blinking lights, there may be a simple solution to fix this.

• Confirm that the cartridge pictured matches the cartridge you have in your hand or installed in your machine.
• Confirm that the printer you are using is listed in the printer compatibility table as a suitable printer for the cartridge you are trying to install.
• If ONE of these TWO criteria do NOT match, you have most likely received the incorrect cartridge for your printer. Please visit our PRINTER COMPATIBILITY page in order to determine what cartridge you need for your machine.

Once you have confirmed you have the correct cartridge for your printer, open the cover on the printer and remove the cartridge.

Upon removing the cartridge, you will need to locate the copper contacts. If the copper strip is missing, the cartridge will not function and will need to be replaced.

If the copper strip is intact, you may need to clean the contacts from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.

• You may use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts. 
• Gently brush the copper strip with the pencil eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris. 
• You may also use any type of lint free cloth or a coffee filter. 
• Again, gently wipe the copper strip with the lint free cloth removing any type of obstruction or debris. 

Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle, close the lid and then follow any on screen prompts that may appear.

If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.

• This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed. 
• Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes. 
• Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again. 

If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.

Confirm that the cartridge pictured matches the cartridge you have in your hand or installed in your machine.

Confirm that the printer you are using is listed in the printer compatibility table as a suitable printer for the cartridge you are trying to install.

If ONE of these TWO criteria do NOT match, you have most likely received the incorrect cartridge for your printer. Please visit our PRINTER COMPATIBILITY page in order to determine what cartridge you need for your machine.

Once you have confirmed you have the correct cartridge for your printer, the first step is to remove the clip from the cartridge. The clip protects the nozzle on the cartridge and also keeps the cartridge from leaking.

Please keep in mind that there are various styles of clips and that the clip we are removing in this video may not be identical to the one on your cartridge. Clips will vary in color, size and shape depending on the cartridge model and supplier of your remanufactured inkjet.

Once the clip has been removed, your cartridge is ready to be installed into your printer.

If, after you remove the clip, your cartridge is still not fitting into the machine, you will need to confirm that you have been given the correct cartridge for your printer. To do so, peel back the product label to reveal the OEM label. Confirm that the supplier label and the OEM labels match.

If the labels do not match, your cartridge has been packaged incorrectly and will not fit into your printer properly. You will need to return your cartridge to the place of purchase.

If the labels do match, please make sure that you are installing your cartridge into the correct location in the printer. Please consult your printer’s user manual to learn how to correctly install your remanufactured inkjet cartridge.

Some remanufactured cartridges come with a clip that protects the printhead and helps to preserve and maintain the quality of the cartridge.

To remove this clip, place the cartridge on a solid surface. Holding the clip with one hand, press down on the cartridge with the other hand and pull back on the clip.

You may also find it helpful to think of the clip as the tab on a soda can. Place the cartridge on a solid surface with the clip at the top. Hold the cartridge in one hand and "peel" the clip back with the other.

Some resistance is normal so don't be alarmed.

You may notice some residual ink on the pad or some ink on the printhead of the cartridge. This is also normal as some clips serve to prime the cartridge in order to allow it to function properly.

Once the clip has been removed, you may install the cartridge into your printer as normal.

If you encounter an error message stating that the cartridge cannot be recognized, is an incompatible cartridge, the wrong cartridge is installed or if your printer has blinking lights, there may be a simple solution to fix this.

• Confirm that the cartridge pictured matches the cartridge you have in your hand or installed in your machine.
• Confirm that the printer you are using is listed in the printer compatibility table as a suitable printer for the cartridge you are trying to install.
• If ONE of these TWO criteria do NOT match, you have most likely received the incorrect cartridge for your printer. Please visit our PRINTER COMPATIBILITY page in order to determine what cartridge you need for your machine.

Once you have confirmed you have the correct cartridge for your printer, open the cover on the printer and remove the cartridge.

Upon removing the cartridge, you will need to locate the copper contacts. If the copper strip is missing, the cartridge will not function and will need to be replaced.

If the copper strip is intact, you may need to clean the contacts from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.

• You may use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts. 
• Gently brush the copper strip with the pencil eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris. 
• You may also use any type of lint free cloth or a coffee filter. 
• Again, gently wipe the copper strip with the lint free cloth removing any type of obstruction or debris. 

Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle, close the lid and then follow any on screen prompts that may appear.

If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.

• This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed. 
• Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes. 
• Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again. 

If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.

If you have printed a document and are unsatisfied with the print quality, you may need to clean your cartridge printhead in order to improve the quality of your print.

Please consult your printer’s user manual for instructions on performing a cleaning cycle. (Or you may go to the manufacturer's website to view your printer's user manual.)

When the cycle is complete, your printer will print a test page.

Once the test page has been printed you may select DONE, or you can also perform another cleaning cycle if you are not satisfied with the test page.

• Please be aware that cleaning your printhead does consume ink; and therefore, should only be completed when necessary. 

If the print on your test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.

If you are still not satisfied with the print, the next step is to try blotting the cartridge in order to make sure that the printhead nozzles are not clogged with dry ink.

• You will want to use a lint free towel such as a coffee filter. Fold the filter in half. 
• We also suggest using a paper towel or other absorbent material to place under the lint free cloth to protect your surface from the ink as it may stain your underlying surface. 
• Remove your cartridge from the printer. 
• Locate the printhead. This is on the bottom of the cartridge. Do not touch the printhead or bottom of your cartridge as this can damage the cartridge. 
• Hold the cartridge with the printhead facing downward. 
• Simply press the printhead of the cartridge onto the coffee filter and hold for 3 seconds. 
• Upon lifting the cartridge back up, you should see an ink blot on the lint free cloth. 
• If using a black cartridge, a black ink blot should appear on the lint free cloth. 

If a good blot does appear on the cloth, reinstall your cartridge and attempt your print again.

If your cartridge does not provide a good blot, it is possible that the ink has all been consumed; and you should replace your cartridge.

However, if you are just installing the cartridge for the first time and/or have recently installed the cartridge and are experiencing this problem, you should return your cartridge to the place of purchase.

If you have printed a document and are unsatisfied with the print quality, you may need to clean your cartridge printhead in order to improve the quality of your print.

Please consult your printer’s user manual for instructions on performing a cleaning cycle. (Or you may go to the manufacturer's website to view your printer's user manual.)

When the cycle is complete, your printer will print a test page.

Once the test page has been printed you may select DONE, or you can also perform another cleaning cycle if you are not satisfied with the test page.

• Please be aware that cleaning your printhead does consume ink; and therefore, should only be completed when necessary. 

If the print on your test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.

If you are still not satisfied with the print, the next step is to try blotting the cartridge in order to make sure that the printhead nozzles are not clogged with dry ink.

• You will want to use a lint free towel such as a coffee filter. Fold the filter in half. 
• We also suggest using a paper towel or other absorbent material to place under the lint free cloth to protect your surface from the ink as it may stain your underlying surface. 
• Remove your cartridge from the printer. 
• Locate the printhead. This is on the bottom of the cartridge. Do not touch the printhead or bottom of your cartridge as this can damage the cartridge. 
• Hold the cartridge with the printhead facing downward. 
• Simply press the printhead of the cartridge onto the coffee filter and hold for 3 seconds. 
• Upon lifting the cartridge back up, you should see an ink blot on the lint free cloth. 
• If using a black cartridge, a black ink blot should appear on the lint free cloth. 

If a good blot does appear on the cloth, reinstall your cartridge and attempt your print again.

If your cartridge does not provide a good blot, it is possible that the ink has all been consumed; and you should replace your cartridge.

However, if you are just installing the cartridge for the first time and/or have recently installed the cartridge and are experiencing this problem, you should return your cartridge to the place of purchase.

You may encounter an error stating that you have a Previously used genuine cartridge installed.



If you encounter this message, please click "Continue" to continue printing.

You may also encounter an error stating that "The original HP ink in one or more cartridges has been depleted. If they were sold to you as new, genuine HP cartridges, they might be counterfeit".



In order to continue or begin using your printer, click OK.

If you encounter an error message stating "User Intervention Required", there may be a simple solution to fix this.

• Restart both your printer and computer and attempt your print again

If that does not resolve the error, please try to clear the Print Spooler:

• Search Windows for Services, and then click Services in the list of results. (The Search Bar can be found by clicking the Windows button in the lower left corner of the screen.)
• Select Print Spooler from the alphabetical list.
• Right-click Print Spooler and choose "Stop".

Next close the Services window and use Windows Explorer to go to C:\Windows\System32\Spool\PRINTERS.

• Open Windows Explorer (the icon that looks like a file folder).
• Select the (C:) drive in the left pane under "Computer".
• Double-click the Windows folder.
• Scroll down and open the "System32" folder.
• Open the "spool" folder and delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.
• Restart your computer and attempt your print again 

If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.

If you need to print right away and this troubleshooting did not solve the problem with your cartridge, please select the option entitled "One Cartridge Printing".