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HP Deskjet D5560 Printer Troubleshooting

Cartridge Lights Blink, or 'Cartridge Problem,' 'Incompatible Cartridge,' or 'Cartridge Missing or Damaged' Message Displays on the Product After Installing a Cartridge

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Issue

After you install a new cartridge, one or both cartridge lights blink, and one of these error messages displays on the control panel: 'Cartridge Problem,''Incompatible Cartridge,' or 'Cartridge Missing or Damaged' . The HP product does not print.

Solution

Follow these steps to resolve the issue.

Step one: Remove the cartridges

The cartridge might not have complete electrical contact with the product.
NOTE:HP cannot guarantee the quality of remanufactured or refilled cartridges.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.
  2. Open the cartridge cover.
    Figure 1: Open the cartridge cover
    Illustration: Open the product cover
  3. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent.
  4. Press down on the end of the cartridge to release it.
    NOTE:Remove only the cartridge indicated by the blinking light or error message.
    Figure 2: Press down to release the cartridge
    Illustration: Press down to release the cartridge
  5. Pull the cartridge toward you, out of the slot, to remove it.
    CAUTION:Do not remove both cartridges at the same time. Remove and clean each cartridge one at a time. Do not leave a cartridge outside the product for more than 30 minutes.
  6. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the product, and then unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.

Step two: Inspect the cartridges

Inspect the cartridges. If you see any damage, replace the cartridge with a new, genuine HP cartridge.
CAUTION:Do not touch the copper colored electrical contacts or the ink nozzles.
Figure 3: Copper colored electrical contacts and ink nozzles
Illustration: Copper-colored electrical contacts and ink nozzles
1 - Copper colored electrical contacts
2 - Ink nozzles
  • Check the copper-colored electrical contacts for debris.
    CAUTION:Do not try to remove the copper electrical strip.
  • Make sure that no protective tape remains on the cartridge.
    Figure 4: Remove the protective tape
    Illustration: Remove the protective tape
  • Look at the number on the cartridge label to make sure that it is compatible with the product.
    NOTE:To find out more information about compatible cartridges for your product, go to SureSupply on the HP Web site.
    • If the cartridge is not compatible with your product, skip to Step six: Replace the cartridge .
    • If the cartridge is compatible with your product, continue with the next step.

Step three: Clean the electrical contacts

NOTE:Do not reinsert the cartridges until prompted to do so in the steps.
  1. Gather the following materials.
    • Dry foam-rubber swabs, lint-free cloth, or any soft material that will not come apart or leave fibers (coffee filters work well)
    • Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the cartridges)
      CAUTION:Do not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the cartridge contacts. These can damage the cartridge or the product.
  2. Hold the cartridge by its sides.
    Figure 5: Hold the cartridge by its sides
    Illustration: Hold the cartridge by its sides
  3. Dip a clean foam-rubber swab or lint-free cloth into distilled water, and then squeeze any excess water from it.
  4. Gently wipe the copper colored contacts with the swab. Repeat this process with new swabs until no ink residue or debris appears on the swab.
    NOTE:Clean the copper colored electrical contacts quickly so that the cartridge is not outside of the product for more than 30 minutes. If the cartridge is outside the product for too long, the ink can dry and clog the nozzles.
    Figure 6: Clean the contacts
    Illustration: Clean the contacts
    1 - Copper colored contacts
    2 - Ink nozzles
    CAUTION:Do not touch the ink nozzles. Doing so can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
  5. Clean the contacts in the carriage, inside the product.
    Figure 7: Carriage contacts
    Illustration: Carriage contacts
  6. Either let the cartridge sit for 10 minutes to allow the cleaned area to dry, or use a new swab to dry it.
  7. Repeat these steps to clean the contacts on the other cartridge.

Step four: Reinstall the cartridges

  1. Hold the cartridge with the HP logo facing up.
  2. Slide the cartridge into the slot.
    • To install a tri-color cartridge (marked with a triangle), insert it into the slot with the matching icon.
    • To install a black cartridge, (marked with a square or pentagon), insert it into the slot with the matching icon.
  3. Press the cartridge forward into the slot until it snaps into place.
    Figure 8: Reinsert the cartridge
    Illustration: Reinsert the cartridge
  4. Close the product cover.
  5. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the product, and then plug the power cord into the wall outlet.
  6. Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , see the next step.

Step five: Repeat the cleaning step

Repeat the steps to remove, inspect, clean, and reinstall the cartridges.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , see the next step.

Step six: Replace the cartridge

Replace the cartridge that has the issue with a new, compatible HP cartridge. Click this link to check whether the cartridge is covered under warranty (c00206040 in English).
NOTE:If you do not have a replacement cartridge, you can still print in ink backup mode. Remove the cartridge that has the issue, and print with the remaining cartridge.
  • If you remove the tri-color cartridge, the product prints in grayscale.
  • If you remove the black cartridge, the product prints slowly and the colors in the printouts might differ.
  1. Remove the new cartridge from its packaging.
  2. Hold the cartridge by the black plastic sides, and then use the pink pull tab to remove the plastic tape.
    Figure 9: Remove the plastic tape
    Illustration: Remove the plastic tape
    CAUTION:Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. This might result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
  3. Slide the cartridge into the slot.
    • To install a tri-color cartridge (marked with a triangle), insert it into the slot with the matching icon.
    • To install a black cartridge, (marked with a square or pentagon), insert it into the slot with the matching icon.
    Figure 10: Reinsert the cartridge
    Illustration: Reinsert the cartridge
  4. Press the cartridge forward into the slot until it snaps into place.
  5. Close the product cover.
  6. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the product, and then plug the power cord into the wall outlet.
  7. Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , see the next step.

Step seven: Service the product

If you have completed all the preceding steps and are still experiencing a problem, service the product.
Determine if your product is in warranty or out of warranty. If you need help determining your product’s warranty status, go to HP’s Warranty Check Tool .
  • If your product is in warranty , contact HP.
  • If your product is out of warranty , click here to view additional printer support options starting as low as $20.

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