How to Diagnose and Fix HP Envy 7900 “Cartridge Not Communicating” Error with Burn Smell and Singed Contacts

Question:

I left my HP Envy 7900 Series printer unused for a while. When I powered it back on, I noticed a burning smell. Then it displayed a “cartridge not communicating with printer” error. I followed all of HP’s recommended troubleshooting steps, including replacing the cartridge, but it didn’t help. I noticed the cartridge’s contact strip looked singed, which leads me to think the issue lies with the contact strip in the cartridge tray. Can this be repaired, and if so, how much would it cost?

Answer:

Understanding the Error and Its Implications

The error message you mentioned, “Cartridge not communicating with printer,” in conjunction with a burning smell and a visibly singed contact on the cartridge, indicates a potentially serious issue. From what you've described, it's highly likely that there's been an electrical short circuit either in the cartridge contact strip or the flex cable assembly inside the printhead carriage.

This type of failure is not uncommon when a printer sits idle for a prolonged period. Over time, factors like:

• Dry ink buildup

• Oxidation or corrosion

• Static electricity accumulation

• Power surges upon startup

can contribute to electrical resistance or a short. When electricity resumes flowing after a long dormancy, any of these conditions may trigger arcing, which could cause damage to the contact pins or even burn the circuit path—hence the smell and visible singe marks.

Potential Repair Options

Yes, this is a type of repair that BCH Technologies may be able to assist with. We do offer:

• Replacement of contact strips

• Flex cable and carriage board replacements

• Mainboard or electrical diagnostics (in the case that the short extended beyond the carriage)

However, the severity and depth of the damage determine how extensive the repair will be. If the printer’s mainboard was affected or if the burn traveled through other parts of the circuit, the cost could increase accordingly.

Pricing and Service Details

Our repair service structure is as follows:

• $300 initial diagnosis fee: This covers bench work and time spent identifying the full extent of the damage.

• $65/hour repair labor rate: Charged for actual repair work following the diagnosis.

If you’re sending the entire printer, keep in mind that while we accept mail-in orders, we do not ship printers back—they must be picked up in person.

You can learn more about our repair service and how it works on our dedicated Printer Repair Service page (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service).

Note: Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for your patience and for reaching out to BCH Technologies. We’re always here to support your printing needs in any way we can.