Question:
Hello, I need your help. My HP 7612 printer does not recognize the printhead. I’ve had this problem multiple times with refurbished printheads bought from AliExpress. I’ve already replaced the cables with new ones, checked the contacts, measured resistance, and even swapped the board with another one running the same firmware. The cables seem fine, but I noticed that the original black cable (80cm) has 0.24Ω resistance, while the white replacement cable from AliExpress (80cm) measures 0.3Ω. Could the printer be so sensitive that it’s rejecting the printhead due to this? I’ve even tried adding magnets to the cable, but nothing works. Do you have any ideas? I’ve already spent a lot of money on this.
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us and for providing such a detailed explanation of the issue! I’m sorry to hear about the ongoing trouble with your HP 7612. I know printer problems like this can be incredibly frustrating, especially after investing so much time and money. At BCH Technologies, we always aim to treat these issues carefully, and we greatly appreciate your support, particularly on our YouTube channel (BCH Technologies YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]). Your engagement is what helps us improve and share more solutions with the community.
From what you’ve described, the issue is most likely with the printhead itself, not the cable or the slight resistance difference you measured. HP printers are generally very sensitive to the condition and quality of the printhead. Refurbished printheads, particularly those sourced from marketplaces like AliExpress, can often be unreliable. Even if they appear clean and functional, there may be underlying defects such as damaged chips or improper refurbishment that prevent the printer from recognizing them.
You’ve already done an excellent job troubleshooting by replacing the cables, cleaning the contacts, and checking the resistance. A resistance difference of 0.06Ω between the original and replacement cables is relatively small and unlikely to cause the printer to reject the printhead. Additionally, the firmware swap and use of magnets suggest you’ve ruled out most hardware-related issues.
In this case, the next logical step would be testing with a genuine or OEM printhead that has not been refurbished. If possible, avoid printheads from unverified third-party sellers, as their refurbishment processes can vary significantly in quality. HP’s communication systems between the printer and the printhead rely heavily on the chip’s integrity, and even minor inconsistencies can result in recognition errors.
Addressing printer issues like these can often require hands-on inspection, which makes remote troubleshooting challenging. If you need professional help, we do offer in-person printer evaluation and repair services at our local diagnostic facility: BCH Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, there might be a wait time before we can evaluate your printer.
For those looking for additional self-help resources, I recommend checking out our YouTube channel (BCH Technologies YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]). Use the search bar near the "About" tab to look up videos related to printhead errors, HP 7612 troubleshooting, and printhead recognition issues. YouTube might also suggest relevant videos from other creators that could provide additional insights.