TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
This page contains information that can help you quickly resolve any issues or problems you may be having with your cartridges. Many times, problems can be easily solved using the simple suggestions below.
Click on one of the foll
owing link or scroll down.
My printer is giving me an error message.
My cartridge prints streaky or with lines.
My cartridge leaked while in shipment.
YOUR PRINTER IS GIVING YOU ERROR MESSAGES
If message reads: "CARTRIDGE ERROR" or "CARTRIDGE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY"
There may be some ink residue on the contact points of the cartridge. Sometimes poor electrical contacts will trigger a printer error. Try cleaning off both the cartridge and printer contacts with a lint-free cloth or paper towel dipped in alcohol, distilled water or a non-greasy cleaner. Cleaning in a circular motion works best.
When installing the cartridge into your printer, "drop" the cartridge into the holder, then slightly wiggle the cartridge left to right a few times to ensure proper seating. Then lock the cartridge into place.
In rarer cases, a resistor inside the cartridge may have burn out and could be causing the error message. If this is the case, the cartridge cannot be fixed and would need to be replaced.
If cleaning the contact points doesn't work, please go ahead and send it back and we'll get a replacement sent out to you right away. Read and follow the instructions on our Returns & Exchanges page.
If Message reads: "CARTRIDGE EMPTY"
First, figure out if the printer itself that says 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 completely clean and free from any grime or residue.
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.
The printer software is what measures the cartridge ink fullness level. The printer software actually remembers the number of pages that have been printed since the last cartridge was installed, and then ESTIMATES when the cartridge should be empty. (There is no internal device inside the cartridge itself that measures the ink level.) If you change the cartridge without letting the printer driver know to reset, it will think it's still using the old cartridge. This would show you error messages saying low ink.
Here's what to do... Try installing the cartridge again making sure your computer and printer are both on (power turned on). Change the cartridge on the printer by taking it out, and then putting it back in. Close the cover, or press the button on your printer that tells it to return to normal. The printer control program should come up. If it doesn't, you may have to search around somewhere in your printer utilities and try to find where the "Install New Cartridge" option is. When you find it, open the printer utilities and select "Install/Change cartridge". (Go through the steps described in this printer function)
This approach will tell the software that a new cartridge has been inserted and force it to reset the internal page counter to zero.
If you are still having problems, please read and follow the instructions on our Returns & Exchanges page.
CARTRIDGE PRINTING STREAKY OR WITH LINES
Before we begin, make sure that any plastic shipping clip and blue printhead tape is removed from the inkjet cartridge (HP or Lexmark). If you can't see the electrical contacts on the cartridge, the plastic shipping clip is not removed.
If colors are missing, it's likely that the cartridge has become "deprimed". This means an air bubble may be trapped inside cartridge between the ink and the printhead, preventing proper ink flow. Many times, all it takes is a couple of cleaning cycles with your printer utilities program, or a few hard shakes with a paper towel over the end to get the cartridge primed and working again.
First, run 2-3 cleaning cycles using your printer's utility program to try and get the ink flowing properly.
Go to your "Control Panel" folder and right-click on your printer's icon. Under "Printer Preferences" or "Properties", you should find your printer utilities and see an option for "cleaning" or "priming" the cartridge.
If you have run at least 3 cleaning cycles without success, try this:
- Take a slightly damp warm paper towel (use distilled water) and fold it in half two times.
- While holding the cartridge, place the towel on the printhead (the bottom of the cartridge where the ink comes out), and hold it on securely with your fingers.
- Shake the cartridge quickly and firmly downward to drive the ink toward the printhead as if you would trying to reset a medical thermometer. -- (Shake approx 2-3 times)
Now "Blot" your cartridge onto the folded paper towel to see if all of the colors appear. To "Blot" test, hold the folded paper towel over your fingers of one hand and press the printhead into it with the other hand. All colors/chambers should appear in uniform size. If not, repeat shake proceedure 3-4 times. Sometimes this can be a quick fix to prime the cartridge printhead. Sometimes it works great, other times it may not.
Customer tip
Another trick to help prime the printhead is to blow a little air through the vent hole on the top of the cartridge until a small amount of ink has been expelled. This will force the ink down to the bottom of the cartridge. Repeat the "Blot" test above.
When storing cartridges, always make sure to store them with the printhead side facing down to keep them primed. Although the shelf life is longer, we do not recommend storing cartridges for periods longer than 6 months.
If you are still having problems, please read and follow the instructions on our Returns & Exchanges page.
PACKAGE LEAKED WHILE IN SHIPMENT
Sometimes during the shipping process, the package handling can cause leaking problems. If the package experiences higher than normal altitude pressure changes, or even remains upside-down for an extended period of time, it may leak some ink. It only takes a small amount of ink to look like a disaster, even though the actual amount leaked is relatively small.
If there is any leaking of ink, please clean the cartridge up with water and paper towels. The cartridge is most likely still full and should print fine. However if you would prefer a replacement it's not a problem -- just let us know.
If you accidentally get some ink on your hands, the quickest and most effective way to get it off is water and bleach -- then use soap to wash off the bleach residue. If you do use bleach on your hands, please make sure to do this next to running water because contact with skin can begin to burn if left on too long.
To return your cartridge, follow the instructions on our Returns & Exchanges page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Remanufactured cartridge?
A remanufactured cartridge is a recycled cartridge that has been refilled and restored to "like-new" quality. The remanufacturing process cartridges go through is extensive. They are first inspected to insure there are no visible marks or defects. They are then drained of any remaining ink and ultra-sonically cleaned to ensure a clog-free printhead. Cartridges are then refilled with high quality ink, print tested to ensure quality printing, and then given a final inspection. If a cartridge doesn't pass every step and quality test in this process, it is thrown out.
What is "O.E.M."?
O.E.M. (or OEM) stands for 'Original Equipment Manufacturer'. This refers to the original manufacturer such as HP, Epson, or Lexmark. OEM is the new "name-brand" product which you would buy at the store.
Are your products O.E.M.?
Some products are, but most of them are not. Many of the cartridges we carry are high quality remanufactured and brand new compatible cartridges. Each cartridge listing is individually labeled as to whether it is a new compatible, remanufactured, or a genuine OEM cartridge. Furthermore, we guarantee their quality and performance to be the highest of quality or your money back.
Is Remanufactured the same as Refurbished?
No. Refurbished usually means an item was originally defective, but was reworked by the factory and repaired. Remanufactured means that the product worked perfectly well for it's initial purpose. Then is was been taken apart down to it's key components, cleaned, inspected, reassembled and tested for use again. Just because a cartridge ran out of ink, doesn't mean the printhead and electronics are not still in perfectly working order.
Will these products void my warranty?
No. In fact, there is legislation in place to prevent this. The manufacturer is not allowed to void the warranty on your printer because you use a compatible supplies or a refill kit.
How do I know which cartridges I need?
Look on the cartridge itself for the model number. This number is the one to reference in our inkjets section or look on your printer model.
Do you sell "G" (half-full) starter cartridges?
No, we don't. However we do sell the appropriate replacement fully-filled cartridges ("A", "AN", etc.). Typically, "G" cartridges (designated by the last letter of an HP cartridge model number) are the cartridges that come with new printers. These cartridges are not completely filled to lower the cost of new printers. When you order a cartridge from ASAP Inkjets, you will always get a full cartridge.
Should I try to print with my old cartridge after it's empty?
No! An inkjet printer works by heating a very small amount of ink, which is then jetted onto the paper. The ink cools the resistors used to heat the ink. If there is no ink, the resistors overheat and burn out. This shortens the life of the printhead. So, when the low ink warning light glows, it is time to change your cartridge. Keep a spare cartridge ready to go, and you won't have to stop printing, except to change cartridges.
How do I buy a cartridge online?
At the top of any page, use the dropdown box labeled "Quick Product Links" to select the product you're looking for. Find the replacement cartridge model you need and then click on the appropriate "Buy" icon to add it to your shopping cart. When finished shopping, click the "Check Out" button from the Shopping cart contents page to complete your mailing and payment information.
Can I order by mail?
Yes. Follow the instructions and a form to fill out at ....
How much is shipping?
Shipping charges are explained in detail on our shipping information page.
Are your products guaranteed?
Yes. We offer a 30-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee and 1 full year guarntee on everything we sell. For more information, please review our Guarantee page.
Which credit cards do you accept?
We currently accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Paypal.
Do you accept international orders?
We do only accept orders in Canada and the continental United-States.
Can I to combine two orders?
Sorry, we cannot combine orders. Once orders are placed they are immediately put into the processing queue. On rare occasions we can, but only if you notify us quickly before your first order is processed. Once an order is processed by our shipping department, you will have to place a second order online.
How can I contact you?
Yon can contact us with a Toll Free number 1-877-877-2590 or by email at sale@inkjetgo.com .
Why won't my cartridge fit into my printer?
Depending on the cartridge model, a temporary plastic clip may be attached to the cartridge. This clip is to help seal and protect the cartridge during transit. Check to make sure this plastic transport clip is removed from your inkjet cartridge. If this is not the problem, check to verify that you have the correct inkjet cartridge model for your printer.
My printer gives me an error message.
If an error message pops up on your screen, it is most likely due to dirty electrical contacts on the cartridge, or possibly on the printer where the electrical contacts meet. Clean off the contacts with folded paper towel dipped in alcohol or household degreaser, and try again. Be careful not to pull up the edges of the cartridge electrical contact ribbon. Circular motions work best.
My cartridge doesn't seem to print properly.
Check out our Troubleshooting page to find help with your cartridge problems.
How do I return an item?
Please review our returns & exchanges page.