Printer Says 'Cartridge Not Recognised'? 8 Quick Fixes

You've just put a new cartridge in your printer, closed the lid, and instead of printing it shows a message like "cartridge not recognised", "incompatible cartridge", "cartridge problem" or "check cartridge". It's frustrating, especially when you need to print something now.

The good news is that this error is usually not a faulty cartridge. Most of the time it's a bit of tape left on, a cartridge that isn't quite clicked in, or a printer that needs a proper restart. This guide takes you through 8 quick fixes, in the order we'd try them, plus tips for HP, Canon, Epson and Brother printers.

Quick answer: how do I fix "cartridge not recognised"?

  1. Remove all protective tape, film and plastic clips from the cartridge.
  2. Take the cartridge out and push it back in firmly until it clicks.
  3. Gently wipe the chip or contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth.
  4. Unplug the printer at the wall for 60 seconds, then turn it back on.
  5. Check the cartridge is listed for your exact printer model.

These five steps fix most cases. If yours is still showing the error, read on.

Fix 1: Remove all the tape and packaging

This is the most common cause by far. New cartridges come with protective packaging to stop them leaking or drying out in transit, and it's easy to miss a piece.

  • Ink cartridges: look for a strip of tape over the print head (the nozzles at the bottom), a clear film over the chip or copper contacts, and sometimes an orange or coloured plastic cap or clip.
  • Toner cartridges: look for a pull tab or seal strip on the side, and any orange or coloured packing pieces clipped onto the cartridge.

Check every side of the cartridge. A thin piece of clear film over the chip is very easy to miss, and it stops the printer reading the cartridge.

Be careful not to touch the nozzles or the contacts with your fingers while you do this, as grease from your skin can cause problems too.

Fix 2: Take the cartridge out and put it back in firmly

If the cartridge isn't sitting exactly right, the contacts on the cartridge won't line up with the contacts in the printer.

  1. Turn the printer on and open the cartridge door. Wait for the carriage to stop moving.
  2. Take the cartridge out.
  3. Put it back in at the right angle and push until you hear or feel a click. Some printers have a lid or latch over each cartridge that needs to be pressed down.
  4. Close the door and wait for the printer to finish checking the cartridges.

Make sure each colour is in the right slot. Most printers have coloured labels or stickers above each slot to match.

Fix 3: Clean the chip and contacts

Dust, a bit of ink, or a fingerprint on the contacts can stop the printer reading the chip.

  1. Take the cartridge out.
  2. Gently wipe the gold or copper contacts on the cartridge with a dry, lint-free cloth or a cotton bud. For stubborn marks, use a cotton bud lightly dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry fully.
  3. Turn the printer off and unplug it. Look at the matching contacts inside the printer where the cartridge sits, and wipe them gently in the same way.
  4. Wait a few minutes for everything to dry, then put the cartridge back in.

Don't scrub hard, and never touch the nozzles at the bottom of an ink cartridge.

Fix 4: Restart the printer properly

Pressing the power button often only puts the printer into standby, so it can hold on to the error. A full restart clears it.

  1. Turn the printer off with the power button.
  2. Unplug it from the wall socket (not just from the back of the printer).
  3. Wait at least 60 seconds.
  4. Plug it back in and turn it on. Let it go through its start-up checks before you try printing.

If your printer is connected to a computer by USB, it can also help to restart the computer.

Fix 5: Check it's the right cartridge for your printer

Many cartridges look almost the same but have a different chip or shape. Even printers in the same series can need different cartridges.

  • Check the full model name on your printer, including any letters at the end, such as an "e" on HP printers or "DW" on Brother printers.
  • On any product page on our site, click See compatible printers and make sure your exact model is on the list.
  • Watch out for similar numbers. For example, HP 305XL is an ink cartridge, but HP 305A is a toner cartridge for LaserJet printers.
  • If your printer was bought outside the UK, it may use a different cartridge number. Some brands make different cartridges for different regions.

The easiest way to get it right is to search for your printer model in the search box at the top of MyInkToner. Your printer's page only shows the cartridges that fit. Our guide on how to find the right ink cartridge for your printer explains this step by step.

Fix 6: Let a cold cartridge warm up

If your parcel has been sitting on a cold doorstep or in a van in winter, the ink can be thicker than normal and the cartridge may not work properly straight away. Leave it indoors at room temperature for an hour or two before you fit it. This is worth trying in the colder months.

Fix 7: Check for printer updates and settings

Printer brands sometimes send software (firmware) updates that change which cartridges a printer accepts. If a printer suddenly rejects a cartridge after an update, this is often why.

  • Turn off automatic updates: most printers let you switch off automatic firmware updates in the printer's settings menu, the brand's app (such as HP Smart), or the printer's web settings page. Doing this before you fit compatible cartridges can stop problems later.
  • HP+ printers: HP printers with an "e" at the end of the model name (for example ENVY 6030e or DeskJet 2710e) are sold with HP+. If HP+ was switched on during setup, the printer is designed to work only with original HP cartridges.
  • HP Instant Ink: if you're on HP's ink subscription, the printer expects HP's subscription cartridges. Cancel the subscription before switching to cartridges you buy yourself.

If you think an update has caused the problem, contact us with your printer model and we'll help.

Fix 8: Change one cartridge at a time

If you replaced several cartridges at once and the printer shows an error, it can be hard to tell which one it doesn't like.

  1. Put your old cartridges back in, if you still have them (even if they're empty).
  2. Swap in the new cartridges one at a time, closing the door and waiting after each one.
  3. When the error comes back, you know which cartridge is causing it. Try fixes 1 to 3 again on that one.

Also check that every slot has a cartridge in it. Many printers won't print at all if any slot is empty, even if you only want to print in black.

Tips for your printer brand

HP ink printers

  • Remove the tape from the print head and make sure the cartridge clicks into place under its clip.
  • If the printer asks whether you want to use a non-HP or used cartridge, choose OK or Continue.
  • Check whether your printer is an HP+ ("e") model and whether automatic updates are on. See fix 7 above.

Canon ink printers

  • Make sure the cartridge locks into the holder. On many PIXMA printers you push the cartridge in and then press the lock lever or cover down until it clicks.
  • If the printer says the remaining ink level can't be detected, Canon printers let you carry on printing by pressing and holding the Stop (or Resume/Cancel) button for about 5 seconds. This turns off the ink level warning for that cartridge, so keep an eye on your prints to see when it runs low.

Epson ink printers

  • Press each cartridge down firmly until it clicks. Epson cartridges sit in a holder that's easy to under-fill.
  • Close the cartridge cover and the scanner lid fully, then follow the on-screen steps to finish the ink replacement.

Brother ink printers

  • Remove the orange protective cover from the new cartridge before fitting it.
  • Push the cartridge in until it locks, and close the ink cover.
  • If the printer asks "Did you replace the ink?" or similar, choose Yes for the colour you changed. This resets the ink counter.

Laser printers (toner)

  • Remove the seal strip and all packing pieces from the toner cartridge.
  • On printers with a separate drum unit, such as many Brother laser printers, push the toner cartridge into the drum unit until it locks. On Brother models the green lever rises when it's in.
  • Slide the drum and toner back into the printer as one piece and close the front cover fully.
  • Gently shake a new toner cartridge from side to side a few times before fitting it, to spread the toner evenly.
  • If the printer still says "Replace Toner" after you've fitted a new one, the toner counter may need resetting. The steps are in your printer's manual, or contact us and we'll walk you through it.

Is it safe to use compatible cartridges?

Yes. Compatible cartridges are new cartridges made to fit specific printers, and they're a normal, safe way to save money on printing. A "not recognised" message doesn't mean a compatible cartridge will damage your printer. It's usually one of the fitting issues above.

  • Your printer warranty is safe: under UK consumer law, a printer manufacturer can't refuse a warranty repair just because you used a compatible cartridge, unless that cartridge caused the fault.
  • 1 year warranty: every cartridge we sell has a 1 year warranty, and if one is faulty we'll replace it free.
  • Save up to 60% compared with original cartridges.

To learn more, read original, compatible and remanufactured cartridges explained or see why buy compatibles.

Still not working? We'll sort it out

If you've tried all 8 fixes and your printer still won't recognise the cartridge, email us at help@myinktoner.co.uk. To help us fix it quickly, include:

  • your printer's full model name
  • the cartridge you bought and your order number
  • the exact message the printer shows (a photo of the screen is perfect)
  • which of the fixes above you've already tried

We're here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If the cartridge is faulty, we'll replace it free under our 1 year warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my printer say the cartridge isn't recognised?

The most common reasons are protective tape or film left on the cartridge, a cartridge that isn't fully clicked in, dirty contacts, or a printer that needs a full restart. Less often, it's the wrong cartridge for the model or a printer software update.

Does "cartridge not recognised" mean the cartridge is faulty?

Usually not. Most cases are fixed by removing all the packaging, reseating the cartridge, cleaning the contacts and restarting the printer. If none of the fixes work, contact us and we'll replace a faulty cartridge free.

Why did my printer stop accepting compatible cartridges?

If a printer suddenly rejects cartridges that worked before, it has often had an automatic firmware update. Switch off automatic updates in your printer's settings or app and contact us for help.

Can I use compatible ink in an HP+ printer?

HP printers with an "e" at the end of the model name are sold with HP+. If HP+ was switched on during setup, the printer is designed to accept only original HP cartridges. Check before you buy.

Will a compatible cartridge damage my printer?

No. Compatible cartridges are made to fit the printers they're listed for. Under UK consumer law, using them doesn't void your printer warranty unless the cartridge itself causes a fault.

How long should I wait after unplugging my printer?

Leave it unplugged at the wall for at least 60 seconds. This fully clears the printer's memory, which a quick press of the power button often doesn't.

Need new cartridges?

Search for your printer model at the top of MyInkToner to see every cartridge that fits, or browse ink cartridges and toner cartridges. Order before 4pm, Monday to Friday, for free tracked next-day delivery.

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