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HP Deskjet 710C and 720C Series Printers - Incorrect Installation (Color Or Black) Printer Error Message

•  Incorrect installation (color) error message
• Incorrect installation (black) error message
• Error message alternates between Black and Color cartridge
• Temporary solution
   

Introduction
This document provides directions for the HP Deskjet 700 Series Printers to resolve "Incorrect Installation (color or black)" errors. These messages result when the printer hardware or software has detected a problem with the installation of a print cartridge. This problem may be the result of an incomplete connection between the copper strip cartridge contacts, and the contacts in the carriage assembly (Actual). The errors may be the result of incomplete communication between the printer and the computer (False). The following sections provide troubleshooting steps to resolve the error.

Incorrect installation (color) error message
The following screen appears with the error message "Incorrect Installation; try removing the color print cartridge and reinstalling it. Click OK to continue printing. Click How Do I for instructions on installing print cartridges" is displayed when printing from Windows.

Figure 1:Cartridge Error Screen


The screen shows:

• The identity of the printer (HP Deskjet 720C Series).
• The error (Incorrect Installation).
• The instruction (Try removing the color print cartridge and reinstalling it).
• The instruction (Click OK to continue printing).
• A button labeled (Cancel) to cancel the print job.
• The instruction (Click How Do I for instructions on installing print cartridges.)

At this point, the troubleshooting should begin based on what the printer does.

1. Click OK to continue printing:
• If the printer proceeds to print correctly the error is most likely false.
• If the printer starts to print, and stops with the cartridge light flashing, the error is actual.

2. To eliminate the error, try the following:
3. Remove the color ink cartridge and reinstall it. Ensure that you have placed it in the left side of the ink cartridge cradle and that the teal-colored tab is closed over the cartridge.
4. Try printing again.
5. If the problem persists, clean the ink cartridge contacts:
• Use a clean, dry, soft lint-free cloth. Locate the copper-colored circuitry strip on the back of the cartridge.
• Wipe the copper-colored strip with the dry cloth. Use an upward motion, from the nozzle end to the top of the cartridge. Do not wipe the nozzle end of the cartridge or touch the nozzle plate. Wipe the contacts only one time.
• To clean the printer contacts, carefully look for fibers or contamination on the electrical contacts inside the carriage assembly. The contacts in the HP Deskjet 710C, and 720C printer can be damaged if too much pressure is applied in a wiping process. Gently wipe the contact pins with a Q-tip dampened with water, insure that any fibers from the Q-tip are removed. If the carriage contacts show noticeable damage, contact the HP Customer Support Center listed in the HP Deskjet 710C, and 720C printer's User's Guide.
6. Reinstall the cartridge and try printing again to see if the error message still appears.
7. If the message persists, replace the color ink cartridge with a new one. The part numbers are HP C1823A, or C1823D.
8. If the message continues replace the black ink cartridge with a new one. The part number is HP 51645A.

Incorrect installation (black) error message

The following screen appears with the error message "Incorrect Installation; try removing the black print cartridge and reinstalling it. Click OK to continue printing. Click "How Do I" for instructions on installing print cartridges" is displayed when printing from Windows.
 

Figure 2: Black Cartridge Error Screen


The screen shows:

• The identity of the printer (HP Deskjet 720C Series).
• The error (Incorrect Installation).
• The instruction (Try removing the black print cartridge and reinstalling it).
• The instruction (Click OK to continue printing).
• A button labeled (Cancel) to cancel the print job.
• The instruction (Click "How Do I" for instructions on installing print cartridges).
• At this point the troubleshooting should begin based on what the printer does.

1. Click OK to continue printing:
1. If the printer proceeds to print correctly the error is most likely false.
2. If the printer starts to print and stops with the cartridge light flashing, the error is actual.

2. To eliminate the error, try the following:
3. Remove the black ink cartridge and reinstall it. Ensure that you have placed it in the right side of the ink cartridge cradle and that the teal-colored tab is closed over the cartridge.
4. Try printing again.
5. If the problem persists, clean the ink cartridge contacts.
• Use a clean, dry, soft lint-free cloth. Locate the copper-colored circuitry strip on the back of the cartridge.
• Wipe the copper-colored strip with the dry cloth. Use an upward motion, from the nozzle end to the top of the cartridge. Do not wipe the nozzle end of the cartridge or touch the nozzle plate. Wipe the contacts only one time.
• To clean the printer contacts, carefully look for fibers or contamination on the electrical contacts inside the carriage assembly. The contacts in the HP Deskjet 710C, and 720C printer can be damaged if too much pressure is applied in a wiping process. Gently wipe the contact pins with a Q-tip dampened with water, insure that any fibers from the Q-tip are removed. If the carriage contacts show noticeable damage, contact the HP Customer Support Center listed in the HP Deskjet 710C, and 720C printer's User's Guide.
6. Reinstall the cartridge and try printing again to see if the error message still appears.
7. If the message persists, replace the black ink cartridge with a new one. The part number is HP 51645A.

Error message alternates between Black and Color cartridge

If the Incorrect Installation message alternates between the Black and Color cartridge messages, the problem may be caused by a lack of bidirectional communication.

1. Ensure that the parallel cable conforms to the IEEE-1284 industry standard. Cables that do not conform to the IEEE-1284 standard may not be capable of bidirectional communication.
2. Ensure that the parallel port on the computer is configured for bidirectional communication. ECP is the recommended configuration setting. More information about port configuration can be obtained from the computer's manufacturer.

Temporary solution

A temporary solution is to turn off the bidirectional communication in the HP Deskjet 710C, and 720C printer's configuration utility. This does not resolve the problem, but it hides the error message. To disable bidirectional communication, follow the instructions below for the appropriate operating system.

NOTE: Turning off Bidirectional Communication and Print Cartridge Query may mask other problems and is only recommended if all other troubleshooting options do not work.