Over the past few months, I’ve installed Cone Color cartridges in my 4800 one-by-one and the Epson cartridges became empty. All was going well until I installed the last of the cartridges. When I added the last cartridge (late August/early September), it seemed to cause errors in other cartridges (several cartridges were showing SET INK CRTG errors). The problem went away when I removed the Cone cartridges and reinserted the Epson cartridges. However, after resetting the Cone cartridges several times and then reinstalling them in various orders, I was able to get the printer working.
For the next few weeks, all seemed well, and I calibrated my papers with minimal printers-related problems. Unfortunately, about a month after the last of the new cartridges was installed; the three SET INK CRTG errors reappeared. I didn’t give it much thought in that I figured I’d be able to get the cartridges working again once I returned from my travels. However, when I tried the same routine that I had used when the new cartridges were initially installed, no such luck. I contacted Inkjet Mall via email that same day. I explained the problem, was told that it was likely chip related, and expected to receive new parts. Apparently, there was misunderstanding – no replacement parts arrived. When I didn’t receive the parts, I got impatient and ordered a new set of chips. I figured we could work out the warranty issues later – I wanted a working printer.
I received the new chips late last week, and they did solve one of the SET INK CRTG errors; however, the other two cartridge errors remained. I tried resetting the new chips but could not do so (no green lights…). I removed the new chips and reinstalled the old ones. The old ones reset fine (green lights), but the SET INK CRTG errors do not go away. I would have tried the Epson cartridges, but I no longer have them. I do know why one of the new chips didn’t work. It was defective on arrival in that one of it’s circuit board traces was broken (I found the piece in the shipping bag). I don’t know why the other doesn’t work.
My guess is that one or more of the cartridges is defective – a little disappointing in that they didn’t even last a month. The problem is that I can’t determine which cartridge or cartridges are the problem unless I get replacement parts. That’s why I’m writing you.
I’m sorry to hear of your experience, and am here to help! I looked thru my tech support email, and support cases on your customer account and don’t see information about you contacting us previously, so am not sure who you communicated with, and apologize that your problem wasn’t directed to me to resolve for you then. In the future, if you have questions or need help- please contact us via this forum, and we will respond right away!
Based on the information you provided, it sounds like you may possibly have two bad chips. Please let me know which two cartridge positions that you’re dealing with, and I’ll get replacements out right away to get you back to happily printing!
The two cartridges that show the SET INK CRTG errors are the cyan and yellow. While I hope that new chips fix the errors, I think the problem is a little more complex than that (I think one of the other six cartridges is causing failure in these cartridges, or at least that’s what I remember from when this problem first occurred).
I just wanted to check in and clarify my last post. The reason I’m a bit skeptical that replacing the cyan and yellow chips may not work is that I’ve tried that already. Plus, the current chips seem to be okay (they get a green light when they’re reset). Anyway, as I mentioned, I’m willing to try replacing the cyan and yellow chips again, but if that doesn’t work, what are the plans going forward?
I apologize for not responding sooner, I have been working with clients in our studio over the past few days, so haven’t been on email as much as usual.
After reviewing past emails from other customers using these refillable carts over the years, occasional chip failure is normal (as it is with all carts, including Epson), and usually resolved with a new chip. We have had a very low problem rate with these carts and chips over the years, and have hundreds of customers happily printing with them. I am both sorry and puzzled that you have experienced multiple chip issues, and appreciate your feedback and knowledge/experience in the field (I wish I knew more about chip manufacturing and programming). Although we haven’t had issues with the physical mold of the carts, to rule it out (and get you back to happily printing ASAP), we will send you a new Cyan and Yellow cartridge today, and expect this will solve your problems.
Please let me know how everything goes, if you have further questions or there’s anything else I can help you with.
Best regards~ Dana
I tried the new cartridges this evening, and, at first, the problem got worse - six of the cartridges showed errors. However, after reseating them several times, I was able to get all of the cartridge errors except for two (the cyan and yellow) to go away. One thing that I noticed when six error occurred was that if I put in an Epson cartridge, the error went away immediately (the errors always cleared on the first try). Unfortunately, I can’t say for sure that the Epson cartridge fixed the problem because reseating the Cone cartridges sometimes also cleared the errors.
Do you have an empty Epson cyan and/or yellow cartridge that you could lend me? That way I’d now for sure if the problem was the refillable cartridges (seems the most likely culprit, but i can’t say for sure until I am able to clear the two final cartridge errors)
Thanks for the feedback, I’m sorry to hear the new carts didn’t solve your problem. It’s curious that you’re having trouble with these two positions, after trying two different refill carts and chips, because all the carts are made from the same mold (so are the same shape/size), but have different chips specific to the color position. If it’s a physical fit issue causing your trouble with these two positions, then I would think you would have issues with other position carts, or would have different results with the two new carts. The fact that you’re consistently having errors with these two color positions after trying other refill carts and chips, but the error goes away when you install Epson carts- tells me the chip sensors are working, but makes me think something is preventing a good connection with the cartridge chips and chip sensors…
We don’t have any Epson carts here for you to try, but I did find a few older model refill carts for the 4800. After examining/comparing the two cartridge designs, I see the plastic exit valve cover of the current cartridge sticks out and the previous model exit valve cover is flat/flush with the cartridge face. Although we’ve had good results with these carts (we’re using these carts in our 7600 here, with the chip sensors disabled- since the 7600 uses the same style/shape/size carts as the 4800/4880, but with different chips), and have been selling this model cartridge for nearly two years with good feedback/results, we’ve never been concerned about the exit valve cover, but now have two reports of what seems to be the carts not going into the printer all the way, which I wonder may be due to the exit valve cover… Have you tried pushing all the refill carts into the printer with more pressure, evenly pushing on all four carts on one side, while lowering the locking lever?
I have two ideas to determine what’s causing your issues:
Transfer the chip from the Epson cart to the refill cart (instructions below) and insert the cart to see if your printer displays the error or not (this is the quickest/easiest thing to try), and if you do get the error with the Epson chip,
I can ship you a prior model cart (with flat exit valve cover) to try.
Please let me know so I can help get to the bottom of this, and you back to happily printing.
Best regards~ Dana
Attach Epson chip to refill cart
Before handling any chips (or really any electrical device for that matter), you should ground yourself and mindful of the clothing you wear, and if you’re working on carpet, etc… as static shock can destroy a chip.
Looking at the chip on the Epson cartridge, you will notice there are two small plastic points that hold the chip in place. Make a note as to which way the chip fits onto the cartridge so you can attach it to the refill cartridge in the same direction. Using a straight razor blade at an angle carefully cut the top of these two points off (be careful not to scratch the gold contacts), which will release the chip so you can carefully pry it off the cartridge using the edge of the blade. You can also use a sharp knife or something similar to pry the chip off the refill cartridge. You will notice the same two points on the refill cartridge where the chip goes (pry the chip off the refill cartridge before attaching the Epson chip in it’s place)- gently line up the Epson chip with these points and attach it to the refill cartridge by using single thickness (not foam or thick) double sided tape. Making sure your hands are clean and dry, press the chip to make sure it is tightly seated and flat/flush on the cartridge. Now, using the chip resetter- reset the chip and insert the cartridge into your printer. NOTE: Installing a cartridge without a chip, or with a crooked chip attached can damage the printer’s chip sensor- so always make sure cartridges have chips secured flat before installing cartridges
The reason I was checking to see if you had empty Epson cyan and yellow cartridges is that I don’t happen to have these two particular cartridges. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear above. I do have other Epson cartridges, and those were clearing the errors that I was seeing in the other Cone Color cartridges. Consequently, I have purchased a new Epson yellow cartridge, I should know in the next few days whether that solves the problem.
I did try the ink swap cartridges in the cyan and yellow slots, and the machine recognized that the wrong cartridges were installed. At least the chip readers are working at a basic level.
I have a related question. Is the 4800 damaged if cartridges without chips are installed? The reason I ask is that the chips in the first yellow and cyan cartridges were not secure, and they fell out when inserted. I’ve since reattached the chips, but I was wondering if that loose chips may be the root of this problem.
Also, I’m getting extremely frustrated with this whole process, and so I would like to return some of the spare parts that I had bought related to the Cone cartridges. I contacted sales but they said that they wouldn’t accept returns without some sort of okay from the support side of the business. Specifically, I’d like to return a set of spare chips and ink that I ordered. I only tried using three of the chips, but two of the three were defective, and so I don’t really have faith in the remaining 6 (I’ll keep the one I used that did work, but the other two wouldn’t reset). Additionally, I’d like to return unopened ink. I bought a number of 330 ml inks in anticipation of doing a large number of prints; however, with the printer being down for three months, the inks are just going to waste. To put it in perspective, the 4800 being down was impacting my productivity so badly that I bought a 3880. It’s not exactly the printer I wanted, but I couldn’t afford anything nicer after spending $1000 on an ink set that’s yet to work. I had to have something…
I’ll let you know if the yellow cartridge solves the yellow cartridge related error. I do realize that even if it does solve the error, I won’t be able to print until I get the cyan cartridge issue resolved as well. I just couldn’t afford to by both until I know that the Epson cartridges solve the problem.
Dana is out sick today and I am following up on your last questions…
You can damage the very fragile pin readers in the printer if you insert a cart without a chip. That is why we instruct to always make sure the chip is seated and flush to the cart. The pin readers can drop into the space left behind where the chip was and sometimes when you pull the cart out you can bend the pins. They are so fragile that any effort to bend them back will break them. They are however, very inexpensive and are sold by Epson as a user replaceable part at Compass Micro. They take some time to replace but they are only about $15 each.
If you have not used the spare chips nor opened the 350ml inks, you can return them. You can not return the inks you purchased from us in December of 2012. We would not be able to resell those. However, you can use all but the LM and M in your 3880. We have a standard return policy and although you are past the 30 days on the 350ml bottles, we will accept those and the chip returns and we will refund you if we receive back in salable condition. I have already processed your RMAs. Please follow the instructions you will receive in your email.
I’m sorry to hear that Dana is out sick. The new Epson cartridge did not solve the problem. With respect to trying the new chips, I was very careful to make sure that the chip was seated and flush, but the chips were missing when I removed the cartridges. I’m not sure why the double sided tape didn’t hold. It may have something to do with the cartridges not fitting well, or maybe my technique was flawed - I really don’t know. What I keep coming back to is that the problem started before any pin swapping and that points to either a problem with the cartridges or coincidental printer failure.
With respect to the pin readers, is there a service manual available? I just want to make sure that I don’t damage the machine while replacing the parts.
Also, thank you for processing the RMA request so quickly. I’ll will return the ink and the chips. While I realize that I could use the ink in the 3880, I’m hesitant to do so until I get the problems with the 4800 resolved.
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