Technical information

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HP OFFICEJET PRO 8000/8500/8500A (HP 940s) –“DEPLETED INK” ERROR MESSAGE/INTERMITTENT OPS

Regarding your recent inquiry about the HP 940 ink cartridge error ("DEPLETED INK", or similar error

message language) which is preventing printing....let's run thru a quick checklist to ensure we cover

everything, per below. For additional error conditions and solutions please refer to our support page at

the following link: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1457

1) For intermittent printer operations (i.e. you uninstall and reinstall ink cartridges to get printer to

work) there could be air bubbles/gaps in the ink lines – refer to NOTE 1.

2) If you observe "Unauthorized ink", "non-HP ink", "counterfeit ink" or similar messages, you may

ignore/dismiss this message by pressing 'OK' once for each cartridge (LCD equipped printer models),

so that the printer resumes its normal operation. HP does not allow an automatic reset of the HP

940 electronic chip on the cartridge after a refill, so the ink level indicator is sending a f alse message

that the ink level is low. If you recently refilled your cartridge(s), then your cartridge(s) is not low on

ink. The ink level indicator cannot be manually re-set, so the ink level indicator is often not usable.

However, losing this feature is not necessarily significant, because the ink level indicator usually has

substantial usable ink remaining when it shows "low on ink".

3) If the error continues, then we suggest you remove the refilled ink cartridge and inspect the smart

chip contact surface (located in bottom/rear portion of cartridge). If there is any ink on the surface

of the chip please clean thoroughly using isopropyl alcohol dampened lint-free towel, or similar:

http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1457

4) Open and close the ‘cartridges access’ door - in the past we have observed

firmware/communication issues which were caused by the interlocked cartridges access door.

5) Reset the printer (FULL-RESET PROCEDURE):

a. Turn the printer off with the front panel button

b. Disconnect the power cord from the product, and then wait 20 seconds.

c. Press and hold # and 9 keys while reconnecting the power cord.

d. Wait 10 seconds, and then release both buttons. The product resets and prints an alignment

page.

Printer Models with NO LCD screen:

i. For “Depleted Ink” error messages, where RESUME button is flashing, simply push the RESUME

button (typically located directly to the left of the power button). The printer will no longer be able

to warn you when the cartridge is running out of ink or otherwise keep track of ink/pages remaining,

but it will work. If the ink cartridge light continues to blink, remove and reinstall the cartridge in an

attempt to correct the error condition.