Technical information

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1. Press and hold the Power button, and then press the Cancel button once.

2. Release the buttons. The 10-tap test prints.

3. Review test pattern; ensure all colors are firing. A missing block or blocks within the nozzle

stair step pattern indicates a misfiring ink nozzle. Perform cartridge cleaning to correct.

-- Providing the color cartridge is partially functioning the Tap 41 diagnostic test print will be printed

(this is a forced service print test which is mainly used for the evaluation of ink cartridge electrical

health. A good HP 61/61XL color cartridge should display 612 good nozzles, while a good HP 61/61XL

black ink cartridge should show 336 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink

cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced.

--- If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern (1 page) then the printer is general ly

considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed, but the printer attempts to print the

pattern, then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or severely electrically damaged (black

ink cartridge is not used). You can remove the tri-color cartridge, reactivate the tap 41 test and the

printer will print the diagnostic test print in black ink. Both the ‘Tap 41’ and ‘Tap 10’ tests are ‘forced

print tests’ – the printer will make every attempt to print the pattern whether the ink cartridges are

good or bad…the patterns should be utilized to diagnose cartridge health. If ‘regular’ printing is still not

possible then one (or both) of the ink cartridges is damaged.

*Many cartridges eventually do encounter problems or failures, especially after their original ink is gone

and they are re-used, and this is often unrelated to the refill process. The “Incompatible Cartridge(s)" /

“Print Cartridge(s) Problem - Refer to printer documentation." error message is typically indicative of

failed micro-electronics internal to the ink cartridge(s). Also, it is common to have a marginally

performing ink cartridge (which was performing ok before) in the adjacent slot (i.e. color), then when a

marginally performing cartridge is installed into the other slot (i.e. black), both of the ink cartridge(s)

then get flagged with electrical errors. Running the 'Tap 41' cartridge health diagnostics test will confirm

the active state of both cartridges.

Please note this type of failure is quite rare with an ink cartridge that that has only been refilled once or

twice. For reference, the following page provides a complete review of the majority of cartridge error

messages you may observe on your printer at one point or another:

http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=415

As a temporary workaround, or if you are unable to determine which cartridge is causing the issue,

remove one of the ink cartridges from the printer....this will place the printer into the 'single cartridge

printer mode'....print jobs may then be executed from the computer (only).

If your printer works routinely after inserting a brand new cartridge in it, you should discuss the

possibility of a refund with your local Costco (for the refilled cartridge purchase). We regret your

inconvenience, and we hope that you will continue to consider the compelling value of inkjet refilling in

the future.