Technical information

NOTE: You may also refer to this document for specific printer model ‘Tap 41’ diagnostic & ‘Cartridge

Error Bypass’ step-by-step instructions: http://inkjet411.retailinkjet.com/wp-

content/uploads/2013/04/HP-74-75-Problem-Resolution_v10.pdf

--- 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 75/75XL color cartridge should display 600 good nozzles, while a good HP 74/74XL

black ink cartridge should show 672 good nozzles. If the results yield anything different then the ink

cartridge is likely damaged and will need to be replaced. Refer to video on how to read the printout.

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

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.

You can also test general printer performance by running the 'Tap 10' diagnostic test, use same

procedure above and enter "code = 10". 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.

NOTE: It is possible to 'temporarily' bypass the cartridge error message (for emergency printing

purposes only), please refer to link above/below for video/documentation instructions:

http://inkjet411.retailinkjet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HP-74-75-Problem-Resolution_v10.pdf

However, if the cartridge is determined to be electrically damaged, largely dependent on the 'Tap 41'

diagnostic test results, the cartridge will eventually need to be replaced with a new one. With a

marginally performing ink cartridge, this typically results in allowing 1 entire print job to be printed at a

time. If this does not permit any print operations then the cartridge has severe internal electrical

damage and will need to be replaced.

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

and they are re-used, and this is often unrelated to the refill process. The “Incompatible Print

Cartridge(s)" / “Print Cartridge(s) Problem” / “Refer to printer documentation” / “Cartridge Error:

Cartridge must be replaced” / “Cartridge in left/right slot is not intended for use in this printer“ / "Now

printing alignment page" error messages are typically indicative of failed micro-electronics internal to

the ink cartridge(s). Also note that 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 electrical state of

both cartridges.

Please note these types of failures are 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=509