How to Fix "Magenta Cartridge Not Recognized" Error on Epson-Style Printers Using Refillable Tanks

Question: I am located in the UK and need help with a persistent "Magenta not recognized" error on my printer. I switched from a resettable refillable tank set (where all cartridges must be replaced together) to another refillable set that can mix with OEM cartridges, but the printer now refuses to recognize Magenta. I cleaned the contact points and inspected the printer since one Magenta cartridge had leaked previously, but the error still returns. Do you have a repair facility in the UK, and what else can I check?

Answer:

1. About UK Repair Facilities

At this time, we do not have a repair facility or partner center located in the UK. All repairs take place at our U.S. diagnostic facility. However, many ink-recognition problems can be identified and resolved through hardware inspection on your end.

2. Why the Magenta Cartridge Is Not Recognized

Even though you changed to a different refillable tank system, it's important to note that ink type or cartridge design does not directly cause recognition errors. These errors occur because the printer cannot electronically read the chip on the cartridge.

Here are the components most likely responsible:

A. CSIC Board (Cartridge Sensor Integrated Circuit Board)

This is the small board inside the printer that makes physical contact with the cartridge chips.

Possible problems:

• Bent or sunken pins

• Broken or cracked contact pads

• Corrosion from past ink leaks

• Residue blocking good electrical contact

What to check:

• Shine a flashlight into the cartridge bay.

• Confirm all pins for Magenta are straight, springy, and protruding evenly.

• Look closely for rust, discoloration, or dried ink.

A leaking cartridge-as you mentioned-often causes corrosion, and this will permanently affect chip reading.

B. CSIC Ribbon Cables

These are the small flat cables going from the CSIC board to the mainboard.

Potential issues:

• Loose seating

• Oxidized contacts

• Internal fractures from bending or flexing

If one ribbon cable carries the Magenta chip signals and it has a micro-break, Magenta will consistently fail while the others work normally.

C. Mainboard Cartridge-Chip Circuit

If the chip-reading circuit for Magenta on the mainboard becomes damaged, the printer will refuse to recognize that cartridge permanently.

Common causes:

• Electrical short from ink leakage

• Insertion of wet or contaminated cartridges

• Static discharge

• Previous CSIC board failure that passed damage up the chain

Unfortunately, mainboard failures become more likely when a cartridge has leaked in the past.

3. What You Should Try Next

Based on your description, here are the best steps to proceed:

Step 1: Inspect the CSIC Board Pins Thoroughly

Look for:

• Bent pins

• Flattened pins

• Pins pushed inward

• Rust or brown discoloration (common after leaks)

• Ink residue bridging pins

Even one damaged pin will make the printer report "Magenta not recognized."

Step 2: Check the Chip on the Magenta Cartridge

Even with a new tank system:

• Ensure the chip is firmly attached

• Clean the chip with isopropyl alcohol

• Try another brand or another chip if available

Cartridge chips fail more frequently than most people expect.

Step 3: Inspect the CSIC Cable

If accessible:

• Reseat the ribbon cable

• Check for pinched or creased portions

If you have access to a multimeter, continuity testing can verify the health of the signal traces.

Step 4: Consider Mainboard Damage

If all the above checks out but the error persists 100% of the time, the mainboard's Magenta chip-reading circuit is likely damaged-especially since a cartridge leak occurred historically.
In this case:

• Repair is sometimes possible

• Replacement may be more cost-effective

Addressing printer issues can be a challenging process because many problems require hands-on mechanical and electronic inspection. For this reason, we're unable to provide remote repair support or step-by-step troubleshooting. We do offer in-person diagnostics through our U.S. facility at BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service), though shipping full printers internationally is typically impractical. Our operations run on a first-come, first-served basis, so wait times may be several weeks. We service both full machines and individual components, and instructions are provided for the repair process. Because professional repair can be expensive, we strongly encourage self-help solutions-starting with online resources or our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon on the channel's homepage to find specific topics. With nine years of videos, searching is the fastest way to locate relevant help, and YouTube may also suggest other channels that offer valuable insights.

Thank you again for contacting us. Your patience, engagement, and support are greatly appreciated, and we're always here if you have additional questions.