My hpdeskjet 6122 was workiing fine until I changed the ink cartridges. The test page didn't print, plus the document that was waiting to print before I changed the ink wouldn't print either. I've gone through all the test in troubleshooting 4 times and still can not print. When I click print in a document it will go through the motions as if it is about to print, but it never prints. The document just holds there until I cancel it.

Are the ink cartridges installed in the correct colour order?
Have you printed a test page through the printer's own control panel? What was the result?
Open a new document, using the default settings. Key in some test text. Try printing. What is printed?

Regarding your recent inquiry about the HP 45/78 printer error condition (i.e. improper print quality, etc'), it sounds like your cartridge's internal micro-electronics are either clogged or have electrically failed and will need to be replaced. NOTE: The HP 45/78/78+ ink cartridges are extremely robust (compared to many of the newer versions found in market today) and can typically be refilled 8+ times, on average, before suffering a hard internal electronic failure. To verify the electrical health of the ink cartridge, please perform the diagnostic checks below or refer to our HP printer diagnostics document: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1813

In some cases the ink cartridges just need to be FIRMLY re-seated into the carriage assembly (also check the cartridge restraining mechanism/arms if present - sometimes these mechanical restraints/arms become loose over time...please double-check these if applicable). We also suggest that you ensure the printer carriage/flex cables (where the cartridge interfaces to the carriage inside the printer) and ink cartridge rear electrical contacts are thoroughly clean to rule out poor connectivity as root cause: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519

Cartridge & Printer maintenance should be evaluated:

Ensure both ink cartridges and flex cable contact surfaces (where the cartridge interfaces to the carriage inside the printer) are thoroughly clean: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519

1) Gently blot the cartridge Nozzle Plate with a damp lint-free towel/wipe - a small amount of ink should be dispensed, and be visible, on the towel (all 3 colors should be present for a Tri-color cartridge).

2) If no ink is dispersed from nozzle plate (i.e. visible on towel) or ink cartridge completely fails to print on paper after installed in printer, then more drastic cartridge and printer cleaning steps will likely need to be performed to recover ink cartridge (NOTE: foam inside cartridge can dry out and become very hard - the foam must be moist with ink to function correctly (i.e. ink flows and wets the nozzle plate). Refer to 'clogged ink cartridge recovery' video here: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=2818

Providing the ink cartridges are clean, the problem may be caused by a dirty wiper blade or poor seal in the service station (capping station where the ink cartridges park when not in use) and this is causing the poor jetting / print performance issue you are observing. Remove the ink cartridges and thoroughly clean the wipers and seals: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=1519



DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR HP Officejet and LX, Officejet 300 series, 700 series, T series, D series, K series, G series, V series, 4100 series, 5100 series, 6100 series, 7100 series PRINTER (HP 45/78 ink cartridges):

Perform Self Test Print: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bpu00734
1. On the front panel of the product, press Menu (or Setup).
2. Press the Right Arrow until Print Reports displays, and then press Enter, Start, or OK.
3. Press the Right Arrow until Self-Test Report displays, and then press Enter, Start, or OK.

NOTE: Unfortunately, alignment pages and internal self test prints will usually print Ok even if the cartridge is internally electrically damaged.

Perform Printer Error Reset:
1. Open the printer/cover as if replacing the cartridge and allow the carriage assembly to move to the cartridges access/loading position.
2. Unplug the power cable from the rear of printer and close the printer's cover.
3. While depressing the power button, plug in the power cable. Keep the power button pressed for about 10-15 seconds, allowing the error flag to reset.
4. After printer powers on, cycle printer power once again and allow printer to fully initialize (may take ~5 minutes for the message/error condition to disappear).
NOTE: If ink cartridge error persists then replace ink cartridge.

If procedure above does not work, then refer to HP.com to print a HP Self-Test Report (older HP printer models) - click here for instructions & sample prints: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bpu00734

*Many cartridges eventually do encounter problems or failures, especially after their original ink is gone and they are re-used, and this is often unrelated to the refill process. Typically the ink cartridge's nozzle plate suffers a break at one of the flexible circuit lines within the base of the cartridge nozzle plate...refer to photo at bottom of this page: http://inkjet411.com/?page_id=509

However, if your printer works routinely after inserting a brand new HP 45 black or HP 78 color ink cartridge in it, this will confirm the root cause of failure.

We trust this detailed technical information provides you some additional insight into the issue you have endured.

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CAUTION: Be advised, the use of compatible/clone cartridges (i.e. sold thru the internet from China) are known to be problematic and may cause printer errors. We do NOT suggest refilling these types of ink cartridges.....refilling of original/genuine ink cartridges is only suggested!

HP 45/78 Ink Refilling Services & Additional Cautions:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Q8t2pr2WA

If you need to purchase a new ink cartridge, we suggest you try a remanufactured HP 45/78/78+ ink cartridge from http://www.inkplicity.com/ as their ink cartridges typically have the lowest cost in the USA and reportedly have a high reliability rating (plus free shipping for all orders above $20).

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For any additional questions please contact us directly: [email protected]

-Thank you

Yes.Tell it to print a dot short word and when it starts printing unplug the power cord so it stops with the printhead somewhere to the left. Then do your cart change. It won' t know you did anything.
The 6122 will print from the HP 920, 930, 932, 940 & 950 drivers also - (which are included with your Windows XP and Vista systems). If you chose the 970 driver it will want a second sheet of paper to print a test page, which you can ignore and it will stop trying. All drivers seem to be the same print quality in my systems. I do not use the 970 or 6122 driver at all so I don't have an ink level monitor or any possible related potential glitch. I wet and slap stubborn old ink cartridges to un-stick dry jets. sometimes I use a small clear silicone tube to suck a bit of ink to get them started as the jet holes need priming sometimes if they are old.

The HP DeskJet 6122 can print with both or only one ink cartridge installed. The printer driver includes an option to print in gray scale as a substitution for color. If you choose to print a document that has a color other than black and white with only a black cartridge installed, I recommend you select the gray scale print option. To select gray scale, select the printer properties and check the box for gray scale rather than color printing. This selection can be made either at the time a document is ready to print (ie., a one time selection, using the "Properties" box in the print options window), OR as a permenant setting using the Control Panel, Printers, HP DeskJet 6122, "Properties" window. Once changed in the general printer properties, these settings remain active anytime the HP DeskJet 6122 printer is selected to print a document.

the body of text of the test page is black ink. From what you describe, the print heads are clogged. Most HPs use cartridges that have the head built in, but if not used for an externded period they can dry up and clog.
Try repeated head cleanings (10 or more) see if any change. If none, try new HP ink cartridges

hi Alignment of ink cartridges is very essential for the for the printer to print so first of all be sure that you are using geniun ink cartridges now lets try a reset on your printer press the # and 3 button on your printer together and then unplug the power cord from your printer and keep pressing the buttons now wait for 5 sec and while pressing # and 3 replug the power cord wait for the printer to initialize and see if it prints alignment page if no page is printed then click on the start button of the computer and then go to printers and faxes and then right ckick on the icon of your printer and click on printing preferences now go to the features tab and click on the button that says align print cartridges wait for the alignment page to print and now try and see if it prints fine

Blinking drop light on HP6122 signifies an ink cartridge is out of ink. There are two cartridges -- color (larger of two) and black (smaller of two). Blinking drop light only indicates either, but not which. HP6122 service software and print driver are available from HP website http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?product=83027&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us. HP6122 service software has a printer maintenance utility which includes ink cartridge monitor. Use the maitenance service utility to determine which (or both) cartridge is out of ink. With cartridge replacement, printer should automatically print test page, then reset and be ready for printing from your computer. To clear printed documents from print que, open the HP6122 print que via control panel > printers > double-click on HP6122 driver to show que > select document tab > select cancel.

Hi Terry,

It's hard to imagine software being the problem, however, I never say never.

Have you tried the BOLD [B] tab in word?

Right click on the printer in control panel, select properties, advanced, and see if there's a contrast adjustment or print quality, select BEST

USUALLY this only works with laser printers, but it might be there.

Open the HP Tool Kit and select ALIGN CARTRIGES, and CLEAN PEN, if it's there.

Click start, run, type in wordpad, press enter, type something and print.

Please let me know. I'm stumped!

Your ink cartridge (s) is dried up, even some new ones are dried up, even tho' they're sealed.

Some self-tests don't use black.

from HP's web site: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00641960&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN Step one: Replace the old print cartridge

1. Make sure the product is turned on.
2. Open the print carriage access door.
3. Wait until the print carriage moves to the right side of product and is idle and silent.
4. Press down on the print cartridge to remove it from the slot, and then slide it out of the print carriage.
5. Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging, and then carefully remove the plastic tape by using the pink pull tab. Figure 1: Remove the tape 1 - Copper-colored contacts 2 - Plastic tape with pink pull tab 3 - Ink nozzles under tape CAUTION: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.
6. Slide the print cartridge at a slight upward angle into the print carriage until it snaps into place. Figure 2: Inserting the print cartridge
7. Close the print carriage access door. WARNING: Keep both new and used print cartridges out of the reach of children.
8. Wait until the print carriage moves to the right side of the product and is idle and silent.

Step two: Align the new print cartridge

1. Load Letter or A4 size, unused, plain, white paper in the input tray.
2. Open the printer Toolbox . Follow these steps to open the printer Toolbox .
   1. From the File menu in the software program, click Print . The Print dialog box appears.
   2. Click the Properties button. The Print Properties dialog box appears.
   3. Click the Features tab.
   4. Click Printer services . The printer Toolbox appears.
3. Click Align the Print Cartridges .
4. Click Align , and then follow the on-screen instructions. The product prints a test page, aligns the print cartridges, and then calibrates the product. Recycle or discard the test page.