RELATES TO:

• Stylus DX4400 / DX4450
• Status Monitor reports "Ink Cartridge Could Not Be Recognised"
• The red ink light remains on after a cartridge has been replaced.
• The printer is not recognising one or more ink cartridges.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Explanation

• Article summary

Solution

1. Determine which ink cartridges are not recognised.
2. With the ink cartridge holder in the ink cartridge replacement position, lift up the ink cartridge holder lid and take the cartridge or cartridges out.
3. Check that the cartridge is a genuine Epson ink cartridge - look for the EPSON branding and T0xxx codes on the cartridge labels.
4. Check that the cartridges are correct for your Epson product.
5. Wipe the green Intellidge Chip on the cartridge that is not recognised.
6. Check the chip contacts within the ink cartridge holder for any debris or dried ink and wipe with a lint-free cloth if necessary.
7. Check that the plastic at the bottom of the cartridge has been pierced.
8. Check that the cartridges are in the correct slots.
9. Reinstall the cartridges into the ink cartridge holder in the correct order.
10. Push the ink cartridge down firmly. It should click into place.
11. Repeat this for any ink cartridges that were removed.
12. Push the ink cartridge holder lid down. It should clip into place and be secure.
13. Press the Stop button, this will return the ink cartridge holder to the right hand side of the unit.
14. If the error light flashes after the print head returns to the home position, the ink cartridge may not be installed properly.
15. If the red light is no longer displayed, but Status Monitor still reports a Non-Genuine Ink warning.
16. If the red light is still on the printer, and Status Monitor indicates that an ink cartridge is not recognised, follow the steps below.
17. If the problem remains, there may be a fault with the ink cartridge.

     

EXPLANATION:

If you receive the error message that the "Ink Cartridge Could Not Be Recognised" from Status Monitor, there may be a problem with the printer's cartridge recognition system or a problem with the cartridge itself. The red light beside the ink droplet icon will be illuminated on the printer's control panel to indicate an error.

If only the green On light is lit and no red lights are displayed, then there is no problem with the printer and the issue may be software-related.

This article explains the possible causes of this problem and how you can attempt to resolve it.

SOLUTION:

If only the green On light is lit and no red lights are displayed, then there is no problem with the printer and the issue may be software-related. Move to Step 15 of the Solution.

If a red light is beside the ink droplet icon on the printer's control panel, follow the steps below to troubleshoot the problem.

1. Determine which ink cartridges are not recognised. You can do this by checking the Status Monitor or using the Stop button.
   
   
   
   
   

   1. Lift the lid and secure the latch on the right to hold the lid up.
      
      
   2. Press the Stop button. The ink cartridge holder should move to the left, under the ink indicator.
      
      
   3. The unrecognised ink cartridge will be lined up under the ink indicator.
      
      

      Example of the Cyan cartridge being indicated

      
      
      
   4. Press the Stop button again.
      
      

      1. If another cartridge is not recognised, it will be lined up under the ink indicator.
         
         
      2. If another cartridge is indicated, press the Stop button to check if other cartridges are indicated as not recognised by the printer.
         
         
      3. When the printer has finished indicating any unrecognised cartridges, the next time the Stop button is pressed the ink cartridge holder will move to the ink cartridge replacement position. This is on the right, under the 4-colour sticker guide.
         
         
      4. Allow the ink cartridge holder to remain in that position and move to Step 2 (do not press the Stop button again as this will move it under the casing on the right).
         
         

   Back to Top

   
   
   
2. With the ink cartridge holder in the ink cartridge replacement position, lift up the ink cartridge holder lid and take the cartridge or cartridges out. See the example below:
   
   

   Caution:

   Do not move the print head hand, as this may damage the printer. If the carriage is not in the ink cartridge replacement position and the red ink light is on, always press the Stop button to move it. Do one of the following: Press the Stop button until the carriage is in the ink change position on the right. Hold down the Stop button for three seconds to move it to the ink cartridge replacement position. When the carriage moves out, remove the cartridge. Be careful not to break the hooks on the side of the ink cartridge when you remove it. Do not touch the green Intellidge Chip on the side of the cartridge with your hands or fingers, as this can damage the ink cartridge.

   
   
3. Check that the cartridge is a genuine Epson ink cartridge - look for the EPSON branding and T0xxx codes on the cartridge labels.
   

   • Non-genuine Epson inks are often the cause of recognition problems, in addition to contributing to print quality issues.
     
     
   • Epson do not support the use of non-genuine consumables and therefore Epson do not guarantee quality or compatibility when using these with our products.
     
     
   • If a non-genuine ink cartridge is in use, we recommend that you replace it with a genuine Epson ink cartridge or continue to Step 4 to resume the checks.
     
   
   
4. Check that the cartridges are correct for your Epson product.
   
   

   • The T0xxx codes are printed on the labels on the top and the side of each genuine EPSON genuine EPSON ink cartridge.
     
     
   • The DX4400 uses the following genuine EPSON ink cartridges:
     

     • T0711 Black
     • T0712 Cyan
     • T0713 Magenta
     • T0714 Yellow
     • T0715 Multipack
       
     
     

     T0715 (Cheetah) Multipack

     

     Note:
     No other Epson ink cartridges can be used with this product. This includes the T0711H High Capacity Black cartridge twin pack and cartridges produced for products similar to the DX4400. T0711 is the only Black cartridge suitable for use with DX4400.

     
     
5. Wipe the green Intellidge Chip on the cartridge that is not recognised.
   
   

   • While we generally recommend not touching the green Intellidge Chip on the cartridge, wiping it with a dry, lint-free cloth or dry paper kitchen roll may resolve the issue:

     • Take out the unrecognised ink cartridge.
       
       
     • Wipe the chip with a dry, lint-free cloth or dry paper kitchen roll.
       
       
     • Repeat this for any ink cartridge that was indicated as not recognised.
   
   
6. Check the chip contacts within the ink cartridge holder for any debris or dried ink and wipe with a lint-free cloth if necessary.
   
   

   The chip contacts in the ink cartridge holder (cartridges removed)

   
   
   
7. Check that the plastic at the bottom of the cartridge has been pierced. If this is not pierced, reinstall the ink cartridges following Step 8 and Step 9.
   
   
8. Check that the cartridges are in the correct slots. The order of the cartridges with the DX4400 is as follows (from left to right): Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Black.
   
   

   • This is confirmed by the coloured label guide, located on the plastic above the ink cartridge replacement position. This can be seen in the image above.
     
   
   
9. Reinstall the cartridges into the ink cartridge holder in the correct order as described in Step 7, matching the coloured label guide along the top of the ink cartridge holder.
   
   
10. Push the ink cartridge down firmly. It should click into place.
    
    
11. Repeat this for any ink cartridges that were removed.
    
    
    
    
12. Push the ink cartridge holder lid down. It should clip into place and be secure.
    
    
13. Press the Stop button, this will return the ink cartridge holder to the right hand side of the unit. If the cartridges are recognised, ink charging will now begin.

    • This process takes about one and a half minutes to complete.
      
      
    • When ink charging is finished, the print head returns to its home position on the far right, under the plastic casing. The power light stops flashing and remains on, and the error light goes out.
      
      
    

    Caution:
    The On light continues to flash while the printer is charging ink. Never turn off the printer while this light is flashing. Doing so can result in incomplete charging of ink.

    
    
14. If the error light flashes after the print head returns to the home position, the ink cartridge may not be installed properly.
    
    
    
    
    

    1. Press the Stop button until the ink cartridge holder is in the ink cartridge replacement position.
       
       
    2. Press down on the ink cartridge until it clicks into place.
       
       
       
       
    3. Push the ink cartridge holder lid down. It should clip into place.
       
       
    4. Press the Stop button again.
       
       

       This will return the ink cartridge holder to the right hand side of the unit. If the cartridges are recognised, ink charging will now begin.

    Back to Top

    
    
    
15. If the red light is no longer displayed, but Status Monitor still reports a Non-Genuine Ink warning when the cartridges are genuine, perform a full uninstall and reinstall of the printer driver, using the latest driver from the Epson Support website.
    
    

    For help refer to the following Related Articles:

    • Windows 98SE and ME, see How to fully uninstall a USB printer on Windows 98 and ME
    • Windows 2000 and XP, see How to fully uninstall an All-In-One from Windows 2000 / XP
    • Windows Vista, see How to fully uninstall a USB All-In-One from Windows Vista
      
      
16. If the printer is still displaying a red light, and Status Monitor indicates that an ink cartridge is not recognised, follow the steps below:
    
    

    1. Power off the printer.
       
       
    2. Disconnect power lead for 60 seconds.
       
       
    3. Reconnect the power cable. Do not power the printer on.
       
       
    4. Perform a printer operation check.
       
       
    5. Disconnect the USB cable from either the All-In-One or from the computer.
       
       
    6. Load several sheets of plain 80 g/m² A4 paper.
       
       
    7. Hold down the Stop button and press the On button. Hold down both buttons until the On light begins to flash, then release the buttons.
       
       
    8. If the printer is capable of functioning, a sheet of paper is fed from the paper feed tray.
       
       
    9. If paper is fed, a test page should print showing a nozzle check pattern.
       
       

       • For further help see your user guide or the following Related Article: How to perform a printer operation check on the DX4400.
         
    
    
17. If the problem remains, there may be a fault with the ink cartridge.
    
    

    • Try a new genuine Epson ink cartridge. This will further diagnose the problem.
      
      
    • Once the cartridge has been replaced, the printer will either work without issue, or show the same problem.
      
      
    • If the unit works without issue this confirms the problem lay with the previous ink cartridge.
      
      
    • If the printer does not recognise the replacement cartridge, i.e. the red ink light remains illuminated (and Status Monitor may report an error), this would indicate a fault with the printer. Contact Epson for support.
      

Back to Top