80 cc refillable cartridge vlm not recognized by Epson 3880

InkjetMall Customer Support Printer Maintenance & Cartridges
1

I just bought and received 4 refillable 80 ml cartridges, syringes, and inks for my 3880. I followed the instructions both on line and included in the order (and there are differences). When I placed the cart in the 3880 it gave me a “cartridge error replace with correct cartridge.” I checked the placement and condition of the chips, and even did a reset of the printer as described on your site. No luck. The cart involved is the VLM. This puts me in a bind because I have some group pictures that are expected ready by the weekend.

2

Hi wallygrossman~

I’m sorry to hear your VLM refill isn’t correctly recognized by your printer and will help resolve this right away!

When we originally released this model cartridge, we made the video demonstrating the priming procedure as directed by the cartridge manufacturer, but over time discovered the priming tip, and now feel this method is quicker and easier. The written instructions have been updated with the latest priming procedure, though we have not yet a moment to remake the video. Both priming procedures will do the trick, but we feel the procedure described in the written instructions is easiest. We do have plans to remake this video, as well as make MANY more in the near future!

Are the other three cartridges working/accepted correctly, or have you only installed this one refill cart so far?
Below is information for checking the chips on the VLM cart. Please also check the reset chip and see if it’s labeled with the color position, and if so- make sure it’s marked “VLM” or “LM”

The plastic base of every 3880 reset chip should have three small plastic tabs around the side that hold it onto the cartridge. If any of these tabs are broken or bent inward, the chip will not stay secured to the cartridge, therefore not have a good connection with the Epson chip underneath, which will cause an error. Also, on the back of every reset chip, there should be three metal pins that stick out and touch the Epson chip- the three pins should be equal length for proper contact with the Epson chip. Please check the plastic base to make sure there are three plastic tabs, and if they are all in place, gently bend them outward slightly to ensure they catch and hold onto the cartridge. Also check to make sure the three metal pins are present and equal length. On the front of the chips, please check the gold contacts to make sure nothing is on the contacts that would interfere with the printer’s ability to read it- if you see anything on the gold contacts, gently clean them with either an alcohol pad or pencil eraser. After checking all these things, push the reset chips back onto their corresponding cartridges and make sure they are pushed all the way onto the cart for a good connection with the Epson chip, then reinsert the cartridges into your printer and see how the printer responds.

Please let me know so I can you get back to happily printing~ Dana :slight_smile:

3

The VLM is the only cart that I have needed so far. The others I will need shortly. And yes, I performed all the checks of the chips more than once. But I do notice that the Epson chip doenn’t fit tightly into the replacement cart. There is slight movement front to back, maybe 1/4 mm.

4

The Epson chip should fit on the refill cart without any wiggle room (though 1/4 mm is extremely tiny). There are two small plastic nubs in the Epson chip area of the refill cart that hold the Epson chip in the correct place, and if installed backwards will not fit correctly. Please reference the photo on page 1 of the refill cart instructions- the gold contact end of the Epson chip must be facing the front end of the cart, and must be flat/straight (it should easily fall right into place) in order for the reset chip pins to make contact with the Epson chip contacts underneath, which makes the printer correctly recognize the chip/cart.

Please check the small box the VLM refill cart came in, is there a check mark next to the SKU label on the box?

Since this is the first refill cart you have installed, I would like you to please test the Epson chip and try another cartridge as well.
To test the Epson chip, place it back onto the Epson VLM cart (with gold contacts facing the front of the cart, and chip flat/straight on cart) and see if the printer accepts it or not.
To test another cart, you can simply attach the Epson chip and snap the reset chip in place over, then insert the cart to see how the printer responds (if you’re not ready to use the cart yet, there’s no need to fill it with ink to test the chip recognition).

Please let me know your results so I can help.
Thanks- Dana :slight_smile:

5

(I mean for you to test another refill cart with the corresponding color position Epson chip, and in the correct color position it’s for- not try it in the VLM position of your printer).

6

OK. I took the Epson chip out of the refill cart and put it back into the Epson cart, and the printer read it ans gave me the low ink message. On the box the VLM cart came in there is a red check mark on the label. The other boxes don’t seem to have one. Meanwhile, I tried the LLK replacement cart with the Epson chip installed and the printer accepts it as a full cart.

7

Thanks for that info. It’s strange that you are experiencing problems with this chip, because the red check means that chip was tested in and recognized correctly by our 3880 printer… Did you notice if the reset chip is marked with the color position? It should have “VLM” written right on the face of the chip.

Best regards~ Dana :slight_smile:

8

Yes the reset chip had VLM written on it, however from handling it the letters got rubbed off. I tried the other 2 empty carts the same way and they were both recognized by the printer. So it seems that the only one not working is the VLM. I then noticed that the label on the replacement cart says T5806 instead of T580B. Could it be that I have the wrong cart or reset chip?

9

Yes, the cartridge labeling is correct (we receive both 3800 LM and 3880 VLM carts with the same end label, but different chips attached). The chip is what’s important for the the printer to recognize the cartridge correctly, and the chip on your VLM cart is correct for your printer model and color position, but for some reason your printer isn’t able to read it correctly- so, we’ll send you a new one tight away! :slight_smile:

Best regards~ Dana

10

Thanks,

I’ll keep you posted.

11

Received the new reset chip the other day, inserted it and the printer read it. We have lift off.

Thanks

12

Fantastic, glad to hear!
Best regards and happy printing~ Dana :slight_smile:

13