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April 17, 2005
Do HP Inkjet Cartridges Expire?
So yesterday, I notice that my home printer, an HP Officejet 6110 4-in-1, has a blinking exclamation point and the LCD shows this:
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Error:
Left cartridge incorrect
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Incorrect? How can it be "incorrect?" It's the same cartridge that has been in there for 6 months or so now and has worked great for several dozen pages. Why is it suddenly "incorrect?"
Looking for an answer on HP's website, it provides unsurprising advice if cleaning the contacts doesn't work: "If the message recurs, replace the print cartridge indicated by the message."
Gee, yeah, at $30 a pop and with HP's financial problems mounting, I'm not surprised they're relying on built-in obsolescence of user-replaceable (but not serviceable) components. Coincidentally (or not), the date printed on the newly "incorrect" cartridge is 2005/05/24 -- one week from today.
I understand them wanting customers to have good printing results, so expiration dates on cartridges can help us avoid using ink that might not perform well. But, to just deactivate a cartridge at some arbitrary date regardless of the cartridge's ink quantity or quality, if that's what HP is doing, seems a bit disingenuous. That would be like the milk bottle suddenly locking its cap on the expiration date despite that particular bottle still containing some drinkable milk.
While I do think HP makes the best printers, this lack of honesty/consideration for its customers doesn't make for a healthy long-term outlook. You watch...someone with a better attitude and equally competent engineers will come along and eat HP's lunch.
Comments
** ERROR CAUSE BY INK LEAKAGE PROBLEM **
I just had the "Incorrect Print Cartridge" error with a new Black (56) (~ 10 months after manufacture, 1 month in low use) cartridge on a HP5510. I swapped it into a HP 6110 that showed the same error. Thus the problem is the cartridge, not the unit.
A close inspection showed ink leakage around the jets and under the flex wire. I used absorbant cloth to draw out the leaked ink. The cartridge then worked after being put back into the 5510.
I should also state that I had shut-down the computer and printer during the wicking process, but that should be irrelevant since moving the cartidge to the 6110 was effectively the same action.
Posted by: Jerry at December 19, 2005 2:44 AM
Now on 3rd black cartridge and still get "cartridge problem" message. I to wasted $30 with HP no-service phone troubleshooting.
Posted by: dick at January 13, 2006 2:57 PM
My 'All In One' 2175 Hp printer stopped. Indicated, remove both cartridges. I did this for half a day trying to get it to work. In and out, in and out. Thinking it was an electical connection, because it asked for the first time, that I remove both ink cartridges. I took the printer apart, and reconnected connections in hopes of a better electrical connection. NaDa, Nothing, Same problem. Not until now did I realize HP has engaged in anti-trust practices.
Posted by: haiki at April 18, 2006 12:54 PM
Hi!
Just find out tha same with my officejet d145... the out of date issue, her in Sweden they are realy expensive to aprox 40dollar
I have trying to find a easy solution but no luck so far.
If any one out there know what to do, let us know!
Posted by: JS at April 28, 2006 10:09 AM
Lots of suggestions, some of which worked for some people here:
http://www.gearbits.com/archives/2005/10/hp_inkjet_cartr.html
Posted by: John F. at April 8, 2007 11:00 AM
my experience is similar to the above comments. My printer started blinking with a request for change of cartridge. I checked and realised that the expiry date was overdue for over a year. But why did it work in the first place? I also noticed coloured cartridges do not have expiry dates. The expiry dates on black cartidges should be indicated on the packaging box
Thomas
Posted by: Thomas Blankson at June 27, 2007 5:29 AM
my hp 6110 has the same error replace cartridge light use nothing worked. i'm very careful know on what i buy, another piece of american garbage, gets u sick after a while, nobodys responsible for there product. bottom line stay away from hp there laser printers are also junk.
Posted by: ledge at June 24, 2008 5:54 PM