HP F4280 Printer Problem

[Ticco]

I finally ran into a problem with my HP F4280 Deskjet

I was printing off some exam review notes and I just learned about "draft" mode - so I decided to print them off using this mode (apparently this is the mode on which the reported print speeds are based - in normal mode this printer is only 9ppm black vs the reported 26ppm).

Anyway, does printing in draft mode really screw up the nozzles or printer in some way - b/c the thing was really loud and FAST, the pages were being sucked into the feeder and pumped out really hard, lol...anyway, before the document was finished the pages started coming out with patches of missing ink - so I figure it was finally time to intall a new black cartridge. So I go ahead and do so.

The printer then prompts me to do an "alignment" but when I printed off the alignment page - it doesn't come out right, it prints off some circles but is missing all the boxes, etc - basically I can't do the alignment. It skips like 80% of the page - it's as if the nozzles or whatever you call them, is going through the motions of printer (you can hear them moving and making sounds like they normally do when printing) but no ink is coming out.

Could it be b/c my color cartridge is XL and the black cartridge I just installed is regular size?

I should also add that the black cartridge has been in "need to replace" mode for a while and I decided to keep printing until it was "fully-used" up, and so I figured I'd be able to tell once the pages started to come out with smears, or missing ink, etc - could this practice have messed up my ink nozzles?

I'm a bit peeved about this - I had this same problem with the first HP 4280 that I purchased and from the very get-go, it couldn't be set up properly b/c the test pages and alignments weren't coming out right - so I had to exchange it for another one and that one worked...now, 4 months later I've encountered the same problem.

[Ticco]

Ok - so I've indentified the problem.

The black ink cartridge isn't working for some reason. Went and tried to print, in "black only" setting and once again, the printer goes through the motions, paper is fed, nozzles move and "sound like they're printing" but nothing is actually printed on the page - it comes out blank.

Thing is, the printer is able to read the cartridge b/c it's indicating that it is full.

Anybody know what is going on?

[Ticco]

No one knows?

Anyway - the problem has escalated. After doing a search, I learned that I should probably manually clean the cartridge nozzles. Now, the printer won't even read the cartridge...

I'm thinking there's something wrong with the cartridge or this printer is garbage.

Update and summary of issue:

Bought new ink cart > intalled > printer reads it (indicates as full) > cannot print black ink > cleaned nozzles > printer does not read cart now.

[fakishan]

I have the same problem. These low-end printers are really really bad no matter the brand. When the first or second cartridge replacement or refill comes around, they get problematic. With HP you have incredible software problems; I can't even uninstall the garbage HP put into my computer, even with a special HP admin uninstall tool. I cannot access print services either (alignment tests).

I'll be staying away permanently from any under 50$ Canon, Lexmark and HP inkjets.



edit: it seems the HP printer keeps in memory a unique code from each catridge in memory upto 3 cartridges so that you cannot use refills. So the trick seems to be to never let the ink level get low, always top it off and keep it green. Still have to test it, just ordered a new 60XL black for 19$.

[MrGamma]

could this practice have messed up my ink nozzles?

I don't know but you wouldn't think so... I mean it takes less ink to print on a glossy piece of paper than it does a normal as not as much ink is required to spit out a really good proof to glossy paper, not as much ink is needed as the ink "sits on the surface" as opposed to bleeding into the actual paper...

Are they the print cartridges as recommends by the manufacturer or perhaps they are refurbished no name cartridges in which case perhaps a "sharper" resolution really did do it in...

9ppm black is a lot "finer" or "sharper" than 26ppm

I would think it is directly related to the mechanics of the print cartridges as they are essentially the entire printer itself, I mean those inkjet machines without cartridges are essentially nothing more than a conveyor belt with rollers... the nozzles come new with each print cartridge... they are not a piece of the actual printer box...

I think you ruined the print cartridge when you cleaned it... especially if it's a refurb, refill or just a really fine quality piece of electronics, which I am pretty sure it is...

I am not a printer technician or a physics major... I could have a few facts messed up... just trying to help...

[vsaint]

Had the similar problems, it really alright for the 1st couple cartridges, then when i refilled, it really doesn't work much.
1-2 good prints, then blank pages.
real pain in butt to open and clean too.
garbage low end printers.

[goJays]

i have the same printer, also from the get-go from TSCC.

things you should know:
-ink levels on either black or color, if they are empty, printer will not print. you will see indication of this on your pc and printer.
-xl cartridges should be no problem, but i never ventured for it. i refill my own ink.
-i print stuff on 'already printed paper' so i print on other side. one time i put lined paper in and it jammed. i removed ALL the clogged paper and it runs.
-i print on draft, low quality, black and white usually. however, a few times i print normal quality. no difference other than the speed and maybe how dark the ink is on the printed sheet.
-i never had to clean it once..
-it usually prompts for alignment every time it recognizes that new cartridge has been put in. this is not vital to the operations as i stopped aligning it as it just asks me all the time and makes no difference if i do or not.
-i never printed on glossy paper, so can't help you on that one.
-like i said, i refill ink. it's not as easy as refilling and you're done, you have to ensure that ink is smoothly coming out where it should be (sucking air and a tiny bit of ink with a syringe and special 'cartridge holder'). purchasing refilled cartridges or new cartridges, i assume you don't have to suck some out to ensure flow, but it MAY be the issue.

imo, paper may be jammed deep inside or the ink needs to be sucked out to continue working. i forgot what indication shows up when ink cartridge is full but not 'sucked out' and ready for use. these are the two issues that has stopped my printer from working before, but with what i did, it works fine again.