Frequently Asked Questions

We received several queries regarding installation and problems with ink cartridge installation and use.
If you are having  problems please do read through the questions and answers below before contacting our support team.

Also we have a set of help videos on Youtube here.
For even more specific information and help we do recommend http://www.inksupport.info
This website will help you with all sorts of issues including cleaning and maintaining your printer.
Question : 
How reliable are compatible ink cartridges ?
Answer : 
Our returns rate is about 1 cartridge per 600 sold. When these suspected faulty cartridges are tested we find only 1 in 3 to actually be at fault. So basically compatible ink cartridges are very good.

Question : 
My new ink cartridge is not recognised by my printer ? 
Answer : 
1. Remove the cartridges from your machine with the printer on. 
If you are required to follow prompts on screen to change a cartridge make sure you do follow them, otherwise you should be able to simply lift the lid or press a specific button to get your carriage to slide across. NEVER pull the carriage across to change a cartridge as your printer will not recognise that anything has changed. All you will do is cause damage to your printer. 
2. Turn your printer off from the mains (remove the plug from the wall) and wait for a 60 minutes or longer. Doing this will give your printer a chance to clear the error it had and power down correctly. Turn your printer back on and wait for it to settle down and warn of a missing cartridges. 
3. Re-install the cartridges individually. If multiple cartridges have been rejected I would recommend installing them individually and ensuring the cartridge is being recognised by the printer before repeating the process for the next cartridge.
4. It has been known for some printers to need this process to be repeated up to 5 times.

Question :
Ink Cartridge Not Detected Error ?
Answer :
This error is usually caused by ink or dirt on the contacts on the either the printer or cartridge. Use a cotton bud to clean the cartridges contacts and so the same very carefully on the printer.

Question : 
I`ve heard Firmware updates can cause problems ?  
Answer :
Firmware is the computer program embedded within your printer that makes your printer work, it not the program installed on your pc or laptop that uses the printer. Manufacturers like Epson Canon and HP use the internet to update the firmware of your printer, often without your knowledge or direct consent. The consequence can often be  your compatible ink cartridges will never work again. The answer is to disable automatic updates / firmware updates.
Youtube as plenty of videos covering many makes and models of printer showing how to disable firmware updates.


Question :
I think one of the colours is not working properly ?
Answer :
Firstly download our test page, print it and it will help you work out which cartridges is not working or is empty.

Question :
How do printers measure the amount of ink in a cartridge?
Answer :
Read the full details here on our article on ink cartridge levels.