Hi,
My HP PSC 2100 all-in-one has been flashing "Remove and Check Cartidge" for a few months now. Before, it had been flashing ink low, so we figured that's what it wanted, that the ink was finally gone. We didn't need to do much printing at that time, so I didn't buy new ink cartidges until a few weeks ago. Despite adding new cartidges, and checking several times, it's still flashing "Remove and Check Cartidge" and the hardware is basically incapacitated as it won't even scan, let alone print. We had a virus on our computer, so we figured maybe that was the issue, but even after formatting the hard drive and setting up the computer all over again, the printer continues to flash, "Remove and Check Cartidge" with the yellow print, fax, scan, and copy buttons all flashing simultaneously. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Evelynn

Evelynn, January 2005

how to repair this information

yoovy mix, May 2014

I have always replaced the cartridges and had no problem, until recently. So I checked the parts. The cover for the black ink cartridge has a tiny part that has broken off. I can tell by comparing it to the cover for the color ink cartridge. So I googled parts for the HP printer I have (2210 all-in-one) and found the part, refurbished, for $35. Well worth it to avoid cost of a new printer, IF I trust myself to replace it correctly. There's a manual for sale somewhere, but it'd be nice to avoid any additional costs. Anyone done this before?

Sarah, May 2014

I have had the same problem repeatly on my 2210. Usually do all the same ole same posted fixes. Nothing but a new cartrige usually fixes a stuborn episode. The last time I corrected this problem was with a "new" unused cartrige with a four year old date! So what does that say for the date expired theory? I believe that due to infrequent use or poor manufacturing the cartriges fail too frequently.Ink may just dry up or clump and then we are screwed. Maybe a thin oil added to the formula would prevent this, or bagging the printer between uses. I wonder if people in high humdity areas have this trouble.

rick, October 2012

Did everything people suggested. Finally just removed both ink cartridges and replaced with new ones and turned off left alone for a couple minutes. restarted and it asked me to print the alignment page. Now it works perfect. Apparently, HP doesn't want me using any ink that is not theirs. Why it did work for a month, I don't know. They both have alot of ink left. HP ink is so expensive. So now my only dilemma is I have windows Vista. Not compatible with my Hp 2175. I found a program that lets me print from office and internet explorer, but not from google chrome. Which I use 90% of the time. Want to just throw this HP out the window!

michelle, May 2012

I see that the "Remove and Check Cartridge" problem has been around since 2005. I had struggled with this command for the color cartiridge for a couple of hours a week ago, bought new re-manufactured cartiridges because could not find my extras and $70 at Wal-Mart seemed outrageous. Worked on the problem for about 3 hours this afternoon, and finally decided to go ahead and replace the black cartiridge as well.
Low and behold! I noticed that the little clear plastic protector over the ink had not come off the color cartridge even though I had pulled the pink tab hours before. I gently peeled it off and after several false starts got the align page to print, then everything else would print. Can't say anything about tomorrow. But this afternoon all is well. Of course you know what happened as soon as the page printed ---naturally I found the previously purchased replacements. Go figure

Bill39, March 2012

I have the PSC 2175 all-in-one and had "remove and check cartridge" error. I used Jacques advice, cleaned that "notch" that was all gunked up. Cleaned the connectors of the toner cartridges and noticed that the black cartridge was expired. I put it back in to see, but still same error. I purchased a new black cartridge, put it in then it ask me to align. Then that stalled and nothing happened. Did the complete unplug from both the machine and the outlet. Plugged all back in, align cartridge message came on, pushed Enter and it worked. Now all is fine. Thankful for this thread!

Beth, January 2012

The comment of Nuvic is great! I only use black and suddenly my psc 2115 stopped printing with the well known message. I removed the color cartridge and the remove and check cartridge message disappeared. Instead I got a message insert left cartridge. Just neglect that and start printing....
Why is this simple advice not present on the HP website? My advice would be: be wise and don't buy HP ever again.

h.s., August 2011

Had a similar problem with my hp psc 2175 all-in-one.
My solution did not cost any money. Just a few Q-tips and some water or alcohol.
If you open the printer the cartridges slide to the middle. Push them further tot the left. Then look in the printers inside on the right. That is where normaly the cartridges rest in power off mode.
I spootted a "notch" there all covered in ink.
If you see the same, that will probably cause the problem.
I cleaned that part and also the connectors of both the catridges and the printer with a few Q-tips with boiled water or alcohol.
Removed the power cable, plugged it in and switched on.
Then came the request tot push the button tot align the cartridges.
After that, it worked properly again.

Jacques, May 2011

I changed both cartidges for new ones and it works. Thank you so much.

Marco, February 2011

We had this same problem with my mom's hp psc 2175 all-in-one, i.e., Error Message: "Remove and check cartridge". (It hadn't been used in at least a year.) I tried several of the suggestions to clear the message and none of them worked for me. However, in the process I noticed that the black cartridge had the expiration date 2009/09/15, and the color cartridge had the expiration date 2009/10/04. I replaced both cartridges with new genuine hp cartridges (56 & 57), the message cleared, and a new message appeared to print the alignment page. I pressed the black start button and the alignment page printed in black, then I pressed the color start button and the alignment page printed in color. Then, to complete my test, I made a color copy of the alignment page printed in color, AND ALL IS BACK TO NORMAL!!! What a relief!!!

My mom had purchased the combo pack of toner with 2 black & 1 color cartridge for $78 + tax at Office Max, and they have a new hp 6500 all-in-one with sheet feeder on sale for $99 + tax... so, after reading everyone elses horror stories, it was a dilemma whether or not to open up the pack of new toner cartridges, OR just to buy a new printer for $21 more. I told my mom she had to make the decision since it was her money; she wanted to make copies right away so told me to try the new cartridges. Fortunately it worked out VERY WELL for us installing the new "genuine hp" toner cartridges. I always use the "genuine hp" in my own hp photosmart C6180 all-in-one and have never had any problems at all (once I had a paper jam when I borrowed some of my mom's cheap paper, but that's the only jam I've ever had since I purchased it 4+ years ago; my printer and I prefer the xerox 24 lb paper I get at Sam's Club, it's only $6.00 for 750 sheets! The sheet feeder doesn't like thin paper either.). I purchased mine refurbished with full warranty at Office Depot for $129 (at the time they were selling new for at least $229). Hope our experience helps someone else.

srs, August 2010

I have had the same problem, tried all the suggestions, and the one from "abfuad" WORKED. My black #56, altho purchased recently, was expired. I bought a new one, and I'm back in business. Thanks everyone.

Lee, June 2010

I have tried every solution posted on here up to today (April 27th, 2010), and none have worked for me. If any work for you, congratulations. If not, you are not alone.

Dan R., April 2010

I'm an ex HP ink fill engineer. I have always refilled my cartridges. My 2210 gives me the "remove and check cartridge" error each time I refill a pen and install it. The easiest way to reset to normal printing and stop the error is by turning it off, then lift the lid and press the on button. It will go into a clean mode and the error should cease. Put the lid back down. Then press 5, 2 and align the cartridges and it will print a test alignment sheet. That should do it. Lastly, when refilling a cartridge, always place a piece of tape over the fill holes to keep it from drying out. Do not cover more that the label or you will shut off the small vents to the foam and ink reservoir. Happy printing.

Ink Fill Man, March 2010

My eternal gratitude to JJ. We have an OfficeJet K60xi giving the same error message. JJ, the advice worked ... presto! Kudos and best regards.

sra, January 2010

I have the "check right cartridge" problem on the PSC 2175 also. I am pretty sure after reading the boards and my personal observations that HP doesn't want you using an old ink cartridge regardless if it works, is full, refilled, etc. so they can make more money. This only is the case for the right (black cartridge). You can apparently use older color cartridges without problem.

I have 3 older black cartridges and refill them. When I see the "check right cartridge" problem, I just rotate it to one of the other cartridges. For some reason it seems to fool the memory into not recognizing the older dates - it just knows that you replaced the cartridge. If you take out the cartridge more than a few times to clean it in the future, however, the printer might suddenly recognize that it is expired and declare "check right cartridge". So the solution for me so far is to rotate another old cartridge into the mix and it seems to work. Try it.

jw, October 2009

With my HP 2110 I am having the problem of "remove and check black cartridge".

a. I cleaned the black cartridge with tissue paper - did'nt work
b. Replaced with a new one - no joy
c. cleaned colour cartridge - still the same

In between, the machine suddenly worked twice, printed seven papers, printed alignment instructions, then back to sqaure one!!!!!!!!!!!! Wouldn't do a thing.

Kumar, September 2009

Buy A new one,
basically it means that the printers hard drive has gone corrupt from a virus or old age.

JJ, March 2009

Hello everyone,

I am going to post this same message on all of the forums Ive found so far for the "remove and check cartridge error" Ive had for the last 10,000 years on my HP PSC 2210. After I refilled my black ink cartridge (56), I got this endless error. After trying everything from cleaning the heads, to new cartridges, to installing patches...I finally fixed it, and it was by doing nothing Ive read about so far, so I'll share. Please let me know if it works.


I read something about a sensor wire, maaaybe this has something to do with it...but quite simply: Instead of installing the cartridge using the spring loaded top latch to hold the cartridge in place, I just pushed the cartridge in (without touching the tab which 'catches' the top/back part of the cartridge and eventually loads the spring). I then pulled the latch over the cartridge and secured it in place (so the door can close and the cartridges can move back and forth). Error message finally went away...Now all I hear is the beautiful sound of printing. Let me know if this works or if you need clarification..I endlessly searched through forums as well...to no avail! good luck.

tavino, February 2009

Your advice was a great help NUVIC , by taking out the black cartridge the machine prints fine.I'm assuming the black cartridge had a fault thank you!

Brigid, November 2008

I had the same problem with my HP 2175 ALL IN ONE printer, here is what I found out. Some printers can and will print with just one cartridge in them. I had both of the cartridges REFILLED and after i reinserted them into the printer I still had the remove and check cartridge. I then started the process of elimination.
I removed the color catridge and with the black left in I still got the same remove and check. I then switched the cartridges by removing the black cart and inserting the color cart and then I got a reading of insert the right cart. NO more remove and check. With just the color cart in the printer, I went to word pad and typed "TEST TESTING" and hit print and you got it, it printed the TEST TESTING alright.
This told me that something was wrong with the black cartridge. I when back to where I had both cartridges filled and told my tale, the man tested the black cartridge and found that it was faulty so he gave me another refilled black cartridge and everything works just fine now.
I hope that this will help someone who is having the "remove and check cartridge" issue. I believe that ONE of the cartridges has to be faulty.

NUVIC, October 2008

Evelynn, I'm hoping you found and answer and can share. My printer has been blinking the same error message for about a year now. I've done all I can do to remedy the problem. I'm hoping you found an answer and can share?

Shay, November 2005

You cannot refill HP cartridge either.
This is a trick HP make fool of customers: Sell you a printer at low price then make money on ink cartridge.

So answer is DO NOT BUY HP!!!!

Lou, August 2005

I have/had the same problem so I called HP and they told me to look at the expiration date on the cartridge. I looked it was expired even though it was almost full in my case. So the answer is make sure that the new cartridge is not expired, if it is get a new one.
Good luck.

abufuad, January 2005

Evelynn,
I'm sorry I'm not able to help solve your issue, only because I have the same problem. If you find the answer please post the solution.

Thank you

Howard, January 2005