Troubleshooting Tips: Fixing HP 45 Cartridge Printing Problems After Refill

Question: I am having difficulty refilling HP 45 Black ink cartridges. The print results are inconsistent after filling and trying to remove air from the cartridge. Sometimes, the print is missing, erratic, or gray rather than black. Although they have had some success with refilling, they are experiencing these issues on six cartridges, and they would like to know what might be wrong with their refilled cartridges.
 
Answer: Thank you for your inquiry, and I apologize for the late response. Printer problems can feel urgent, and I appreciate you wanting a comprehensive, well-thought-out answer. Again, we sincerely thank you for your time, especially for taking the time to subscribe to our YouTube channel, BCH Technologies—your feedback matters as it continues to sharpen our technical expertise.
 
If we look at your write-up, the problem you face in HP 45 cartridges is more oriented towards air pockets, ink not flowing out, or pressurization. Here’s a look at some possible explanations and solutions:
 
Air Trapped in the Cartridge:
Even though you do your best to bleed the air out, some air may remain trapped within the ink chamber, resulting in intermittent or missing print. A standard method is to suck ink out through the nozzle with a syringe or with a vacuum refill method. Please make sure you see a steady, consistent ink flow (no bubbles). If you can’t get this to happen, you’ll need to repeat this a few times or use a more effective vacuum-based refill method to get a thorough purge.
Nozzle Drying:
If the nozzles look good on a paper towel but are not all right on paper outside the printer, they may be partially dried. For proper printing, the ink cartridge needs moisture in a specific amount. To rehydrate the cartridge, put the printhead lightly on a wet tissue for 10–15 minutes. This should soften the dried ink and get it flowing again.
Ink Saturation:
If you’re still spotting gray prints instead of black, that may be a sign that the sponge inside the cartridge isn’t fully saturated or that there’s some old ink mixed in with the new stuff. If the cartridge has been empty for an extended period, the entire cartridge must be flushed before refilling for optimal print quality. Residual ink or previous use could dilute the coloration or lead to uneven prints.
Cartridge Pressurization:
HP037 cartridges use a specific internal pressure to force the ink out. Once refilled, press the cartridge's top with slight force (don't squish it too much) and wipe the printhead to equalize internal pressure. That can sometimes help start an ink flow, and the print quality is back to normal.
Refill Hole Sealing:
Not sealing the refill hole is one of the most common mistakes, except the refill may be cheap. If there’s an air leak, it can distort the internal pressure and cause erratic printing. Be sure to seal the refill hole airtight after refilling. Strong tape or a plug for refilled cartridges can keep the ink flowing smoothly.
Electrical Contacts:
Dirty or corroded electrical contacts could also cause sporadic printing. Because the HP 45 relies on proper communication with the printer, keeping its electrical contacts clean is essential. A lint-free cloth and some isopropyl alcohol can be used to clean both cartridge and printer contacts.
 
HP 45 cartridges are tough to refill, but following these steps will help you get them to work. If it doesn’t work, please do not hesitate to reach out again, and we will gladly assist you further!
The nature of printer problems makes dealing with them complex, as the issues are hands-on. So, we cannot offer you remote troubleshooting, recommendations, or printer repair support. Due to many requests, local in-person assessment and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) is available on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it may take several weeks to get your printer into service. Our services are either whole printer repair or specific parts repair, along with instructions on how to proceed. But we also know that we are not the most affordable choice. And so, we would suggest you do this with self-help through online research. Check out YouTube or Visit our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) to see the specific videos using the search icon beside "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. Daily, I get dozens of questions asking for videos about a particular topic. Nine years of videos make it hard to remember them all. So, it would be best to search using YouTube's search feature. In addition, YouTube might recommend videos on other channels that might help you.
 
Once again, thank you for your engagement, and I hope this resolved your HP 45 cartridge refilling problem!