Why Is My HP Printer Still Flashing After I Refilled the Integrated Cartridges?

Question

I refilled both of my HP integrated ink cartridges after watching the comprehensive refill guide, but the printer light keeps flashing. The printer still says the cartridges are not refilled or are empty. Why is this happening, and what can I do to fix it?

Answer

With HP integrated cartridges, this is a very common issue. The important thing to understand is that the printer usually does not truly "know" that you have refilled the cartridge. The cartridge may physically contain ink again, but the printer's memory or ink-level counter may still remember the cartridge as empty.

HP integrated cartridges, such as many HP 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 74, 75, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 901, 902-style cartridges and similar models, usually have an electronic contact area on the cartridge. The printer uses that contact area to identify the cartridge and track its usage history. Once the printer has marked that cartridge as low or empty, refilling it with ink does not always reset the ink-level reading. That means the cartridge can be full of ink, but the printer may still display a message such as "low ink," "empty cartridge," "cartridge not refilled," or "previously used cartridge."

In many cases, this is only a warning. If the printer gives you an option such as OK, Resume, Continue, or Black/Color Start, you may be able to press that button and continue printing. Some HP printers allow you to override the ink warning and print anyway. The ink-level display may remain inaccurate, but the cartridge can still work if the refill was done correctly and the cartridge is electrically healthy.

However, if the light keeps flashing and the printer refuses to print, then the issue may be more than just an ink-level warning. Here are the most common things to check.

First, make sure the cartridge is seated firmly. Remove the cartridge and reinstall it carefully. You should feel it click or lock into place. If the cartridge is not fully seated, the printer may not read it correctly, and the warning light may continue flashing.

Second, check the copper-colored contacts on the cartridge. These contacts must be clean and dry. If ink leaked onto the contacts during the refill, the printer may not be able to communicate with the cartridge. Remove the cartridge and inspect the contact area. If you see ink, moisture, or residue, gently clean the contacts with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Then let the cartridge dry completely before reinstalling it. Also check the matching contact pins inside the printer carriage, because ink can sometimes transfer there too.

Third, make sure the protective tape has been fully removed. If the tape is still covering the nozzles or contacts, the printer may not detect the cartridge properly, or the cartridge may not print even though it contains ink.

Fourth, check whether the cartridge was overfilled. HP integrated cartridges contain both the printhead and ink sponge inside the cartridge body. If too much ink is injected, ink can flood the nozzle plate or contact area. A flooded cartridge may drip, smear, or trigger a cartridge error. If this happens, place the cartridge nozzles down on a folded paper towel for several minutes and let excess ink wick out naturally. Do not squeeze the cartridge. Once the dripping stops, clean the outside of the cartridge and reinstall it.

Fifth, the cartridge may have an air lock or dried ink blockage. If ink cannot flow from the sponge to the printhead, the printer may still show a warning or produce blank pages. You can try gently priming the cartridge by placing the nozzle area on a damp paper towel and checking whether ink appears. For a tri-color cartridge, you should see cyan, magenta, and yellow marks. For a black cartridge, you should see a black mark. If no ink appears, the printhead may be clogged or the internal sponge may not be feeding ink correctly.

Sixth, the cartridge may be electrically damaged. Since HP integrated cartridges include the printhead and electronics on the cartridge itself, a refill cannot repair a burned-out printhead, damaged contact, or failed internal circuit. If the printer still shows a cartridge error after the contacts are cleaned, the cartridge is seated correctly, and the printer has been restarted, the cartridge itself may no longer be usable.

Another important point is cartridge memory rotation. Many HP printers remember a limited number of cartridge IDs, often around three to five sets, depending on the model. If you have several sets of cartridges and rotate them, the printer may eventually "forget" the oldest cartridge's empty status and treat it differently when reinstalled. This does not always work on every HP model, but it is one method people use when dealing with stubborn ink-level memory warnings. In simple terms, if you rotate through enough different cartridge sets, the printer may stop associating the refilled cartridge with its previous empty reading.

You can also try a basic printer reset. Turn the printer on, remove the cartridges, unplug the power cord from the back of the printer while it is still on, and wait a few minutes. Then plug it back in, turn the printer on, and reinstall the cartridges. This will not always reset the ink counter, but it can sometimes clear temporary cartridge communication errors.

The key difference is this: if the printer only says the ink is low or empty but still lets you print, that is usually normal after refilling HP integrated cartridges. The ink monitor may not reset. But if the printer has a flashing light and completely refuses to print, then you should focus on cartridge seating, dirty contacts, wet contacts, overfilling, air lock, clogged nozzles, or a damaged cartridge.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection. Because of that, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates are not the most economical option for everyone. For that reason, we highly recommend self-help through online research. A good place to start is YouTube, including our channel homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. You can use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the YouTube menu bar to look for specific topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking which video covers a certain issue, and after creating videos for over nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. Using YouTube's own search function is usually the fastest way to find the right video, and YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for watching the video and for taking the time to ask your question. In your case, the refill may be fine, but the printer may still remember the cartridge as empty, or it may be detecting a contact, seating, flooding, or cartridge-health issue. Start with cleaning and drying the contacts, reseating the cartridges, and trying the printer's continue or resume option if available.