Do your printer ink cartridges get used up completely before they stop working?

[adazam10]

I have a HP deskjet 560c which I bought a couple of years ago. When I first started using it, the ink cartridge would get used up completely before it would stop printing. The cartridge would be completely clear and you could see it was totally empty.

The last couple of times the printer has seemed to run out of ink, however, the cartridge still seems to have plenty of ink in it. I can see the ink and hear it when I shake it. If I shake it a decent amount, ink comes out of the bottom. It still won't print if I put it back in the printer though. There is usually some dried up ink around the cartridge nozzle and I clean it up using a qtip and rubbing alcohol. It still doesn't work though.

I end up having to buy a new cartridge even though the old one looks like it still has enough ink in it. Does anybody else have this problem? I am using hp51626a black cartridges. I am about to buy a new printer because I am tired of buying new cartridges for this printer when the old ones seem to still have ink. I also don't think I am printing anywhere near the amount required to empty an ink cartridge.

What printers have cheap cartridges that last a long time? Any response would be appreciated.

 

[adazam10]

Ok, I just poked a hole into the cartridge and emptied it into a paper cup. There was a ton of ink still left in it. I am guessing more than half of the ink was still left in it. What a piece of crap.

 

[madthumbs]

I have the 812c and the ink cartridge goes bad before it's out of ink twices on me. So much for the refill kit I bought.

 

[EvilDonnyboy]

How old was the ink?

 

[RossGr]

There is no reason you should not be getting all of the ink out of the cartridge. You may consider contacting HP. Pens for the 500 series are now made in either Puerto Rico or Ireland, HP needs to hear about it if there is a issue. These pens are a complex mechanism, we do things to silicone that no one in there right mind would do. But it works, there are several things which can prevent a pen from working, They do have a shelf life so if you try to use a year or 2 old pen it may or may not function.

BTW: Though I cannot speak for HP officially, I am an employee. I work as a technician repairing equipment which preforms a unique step on the silicone wafers destined to become several hundred print heads. This is a complex process so failures will occur, if you suspect premature failure CONTACT HP, We strive to produce a reliable, quality product. There should be a phone number in the pen packaging USE IT.

 

[adazam10]

I only buy ink right when I need it since I can't tell when the cartridge will stop working. The ink therefore is still pretty new.

I tried contacting HP when this problem first started, but recall them wanting some ridiculous fee just to talk to them since my printer is out of warranty. I sent them an email just now since they have email support now. Hopefully they will respond.

 

[Vyle]

I don't know about HPs. I have a Canon 3010. Even when my ink tanks are bone dry and clear I can still print for awhile. I've never had a printer this efficient.