red color problem...

[Andre]

Hello!

I use HP 5550 and there is a problem with it. When I installed new
cardridges It was everything ok, but I left the printer for about 3
months without cardridges but they were protected against drying. Now
when I wanted to use color cardridge I have problem using the red
color. Printer does not use it. I am sure it's not dry because I
checked with tissue, what is more when I made printer print whole page
with red letters in every line there was a thin line of red color
printed.

What is wrong with this printer? Like I said earlier it was perfectly
ok.

I reinstalled drivers but no result.
Please help me solving this.

 

[CWatters]

Hello!

I use HP 5550 and there is a problem with it. When I installed new
cardridges It was everything ok, but I left the printer for about 3
months without cardridges but they were protected against drying. Now
when I wanted to use color cardridge I have problem using the red
color. Printer does not use it. I am sure it's not dry because I
checked with tissue, what is more when I made printer print whole page
with red letters in every line there was a thin line of red color
printed.

Run a nozzle check?

 

[Bob Headrick]

Hello!

I use HP 5550 and there is a problem with it. When I installed new
cartridges It was everything ok, but I left the printer for about 3
months without cartridges but they were protected against drying. Now
when I wanted to use color cartridge I have problem using the red
color. Printer does not use it. I am sure it's not dry because I
checked with tissue, what is more when I made printer print whole page
with red letters in every line there was a thin line of red color
printed.

What is wrong with this printer? Like I said earlier it was perfectly
ok.

How did you protect the cartridge from drying out? It is really not practical
to remove a cartridge from a printer for 3 months and expect to keep it in
operating condition. The best place to store a color cartridge is in the
pirnter. You probably need a new cartridge. You can run a nozzle check as
shown at:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=bpd07098&dlc=en&lang=en#N103A3

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Andre]

How did you protect the cartridge from drying out?

I put it into original box and covered that part the ink comes from
with original piece of plastic. Room temperature place.

It is really not
practical to remove a cartridge from a printer for 3 months and
expect to keep it in operating condition. The best place to store a
color cartridge is in the pirnter.

I'm gonna remember that from now on....

You can run a nozzle check as shown at:

I did that but all tests used only black ink... I also printed some
kind of test page (the leaves) few times and what is interesting let's
say I did five one by one- first two were almost without red color,
third page looked almost good with red (horrizontal lines of red) and
next pages were poorer and poorer. Red ink is still in because I can
repete that.

 

[Bob Headrick]

I put it into original box and covered that part the ink comes from
with original piece of plastic. Room temperature place.

That is guaranteed to ruin a color cartridge as you will have ink wicking
between the various colors, causing contamination or the colors. If you must
remove a cartridge from the printer for storage (not recommended) a better
method would be to use a cartridge protector made for that purpose, or place
the cartridge in a sealed Tupperware or similar container with a small bit to
damp sponge. Do not let anything touch the nozzle plate as this can cause the
color mixing.

A fresh cartridge should solve your issue.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Andre]

A fresh cartridge should solve your issue.

And what if not?

 

[Bob Headrick]

And what if not?

I would be very very surprised. The problem you describe is exactly what I
would expect from a cartridge left in the open air for a few months.

- Bob Headrick

 

[Andre]

I would be very very surprised. The problem you describe is exactly
what I would expect from a cartridge left in the open air for a few
months.

Ok. Thank you very much. I'm gonna buy a new cartridge.