Printer Shows Empty Cartridges Even When Colors Don't Print - What's Happening?

Question:
I am cleaning a donated printer that works fine, except it won't print in color. After following the recommended cleaning steps (three cleanings, waiting an hour, then three more), cyan started to come through, but magenta and yellow are still missing. I installed new cartridges before testing, and while printing black and cyan, the printer shows ink levels dropping for magenta and yellow, even though no color comes out on paper. It now says magenta is empty. Am I really out of magenta ink, or is the printer just misreading it since nothing was printed? Where did the ink go if it never reached the paper? I also tried the professional cleaning solution once and added more today, so I would like to know if I should refill the low cartridges even though they feel like they should still have ink.

Answer:

What you're experiencing is a common issue with inkjet printers during cleaning cycles. When you install new cartridges and run cleanings, the printer still attempts to push ink through the nozzles-even if those nozzles are clogged. The ink leaves the cartridge and enters the printhead assembly, but if the nozzles for magenta and yellow are blocked, the ink is either absorbed into the waste ink pads or trapped inside the head. That explains why your printer shows that the magenta cartridge is empty, even though you haven't seen any magenta on paper. The ink isn't lost in the sense of disappearing-it simply never made it past the clog.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Ink Consumption During Cleaning: Each cleaning cycle uses a noticeable amount of ink from all cartridges, even if the color isn't printing correctly. That's why the printer is showing levels going down, despite no visible magenta or yellow output.

• Empty Cartridge Alert: Once the printer detects magenta as empty, you'll need to replace or refill it before continuing cleaning. Most printers won't operate at all once a cartridge is flagged as out of ink, regardless of whether you suspect there's still some left.

• Professional Cleaning Solution: Using the red solution was a good step. In stubborn cases, multiple treatments may be required. Sometimes soaking the printhead with cleaning solution overnight, if removable, can help loosen hardened clogs.

• Ink Flow vs. Output: Think of the ink as being used, but blocked. It's very possible that your magenta and yellow channels are still clogged. Replacing or refilling the cartridges will allow you to continue unclogging attempts.

• Next Steps: If possible, try a nozzle check before and after each cleaning to monitor changes. If magenta and yellow still refuse to print after repeated attempts, it may be that the clogs are permanent, and the printhead could require replacement.

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 (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which may mean waiting a few weeks before we can take in your printer. Our services can cover either the entire printer or specific parts, with clear instructions for customers. That said, our rates may not be the most economical. For this reason, we highly recommend exploring self-help options through online research. You can begin with YouTube or visit our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search feature located next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to find relevant videos. With over nine years of content, it's difficult for us to recall each video on demand, but the search tool-and YouTube's recommendations-will connect you with the most relevant guidance.

Thank you again for sharing your experience and trusting us with your question. We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and others achieve better printing results.