Issues with my HP Envy Series printer

My printer has been running smoothly for a whole year, first using the original cartridges and then switching over to compatibles. Everything was fine until it started blinking to let me know I was low on Black. I went out and bought a new compatible cartridge and installed it exactly by the book, but the printer just won't recognize it. I even went back to the store, but they were completely clueless. The only thing I noticed is that this new replacement has an "E" label, whereas my previous one had a "T." It probably shouldn't matter, but I figured I’d try buying a full set of four new "E" labeled cartridges just to be safe. Well, I bought them and installed them, and now it's even worse—before, it would at least recognize three of them (Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta), but now it won't see any of them at all!😕.

I'm in a huge bind because I need this printer working urgently, and I am totally at a loss here😢. Look, I realize using the genuine brand name cartridges would be the easiest fix, but one single cartridge costs a fortune$30😕. My big question is: if I switch back to the originals, will it actually start working again?...

Does anyone have any advice or tips?🙏. I've heard a rumor that you can somehow sand down the chip, but I have absolutely no idea how to do that, what tools to use, or if it would even make a difference🤷

http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml
Give this program a shot first. Let me know if it actually detects the printer and if you're able to reset those ink counters.

Roger Miller8 said:http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml
Give this program a shot first. Once you do, let me know if it actually detects your printer and if you're able to reset those ink levels.

I ran the software, and while the list seems to cover just about every HP Envy Series model under the sun, my specific HP Envy Series isn't showing up. It recognizes that a printer is installed, but when I look under "Printer Model," there’s nothing listed there at all.

I’m dealing with a massive headache with this all-in-one unit.
Every time I power it on, a section of the scanner bar starts shaking violently (you know the one—the part that moves the scanner light) and makes this weird clunking sound because it keeps slamming into the other side of the track. After about a minute, the shaking stops, but then all the lights just start flashing at me in this rapid, annoying rhythm.
Just to give some context, I bought this thing two years ago. It worked perfectly fine for the first year, but right around this time last year—exactly when the warranty expired—it started acting up like this. I’ve only replaced the Black ink once since I use it way more than anything else, and my computer still says I have plenty of color left, even if it's getting a bit low.
On top of that, whenever I try to run a test copy (using that Stop and Power button combo), the paper won't even feed into the machine! It just sits there.
I've tried reinstalling every single driver and program from scratch, and I’ve gone through every troubleshooting step in the manual, but nothing works. Absolutely nothing.
Honestly, I'm at my wit's end. Taking it to a repair shop feels like a total scam; it would probably cost more to fix than just buying a brand-new printer-scanner.
If anyone actually knows how to deal with these types of machines, please, help a person out!!!

It’s a massive headache when a printer fails just a day after the warranty expires. I suppose they design these things specifically to fail after a year.
The only real fix is to search online for a reset program; basically, you just type in a reset utility for your specific Epson model.
Service centers rely on these programs. They first clear the error codes stored in the printer's memory, which usually trigger because the device wasn't used enough and the ink dried up.
In your case, you’ve had one color sitting there for two years. Infrequent printing leads to these issues, especially when using third-party inks. Regardless of whether it's strictly necessary, it’s probably best to print something every five days—just a small image to keep the ink flowing through the print head. It doesn't have to be a full photo; even a tiny graphic will do.
Try finding that reset program to clear the hidden error causing this behavior. Once that's done, buy a full set of new inks. You can use third-party options, but in my experience, stick to Orink; I wouldn't trust any other off-brand. You should install the new ink before attempting the reset, though you can try it however you prefer. It's the same situation we discussed in that old thread: some cheap knock-off inks cause malfunctions or recognition errors, whereas Orink has proven reliable.
As for whether you can actually save this machine, maybe for about $100 you could just buy a decent new printer. But again, don't forget to actually use it more often.

melloworca46 said:I’m having a massive issue with this all-in-one.
Every time I power it up, part of the scanner bar starts shaking—you know, the thing that moves the light along—and it makes this weird clunking sound because it keeps hitting the other side of the track. After about a minute, the noise stops, but then all the lights just start flashing at me pretty fast.
Just for context, I bought this two years ago and used it totally fine for the first year. Then, last year right around this time—just after my warranty expired—it started acting up like this. I've only replaced the Black ink once since I use it the most, and my computer still shows I have some left, even if it's getting low.
On top of that, when I try to run a test copy (using the Stop and Power button combo), the paper won't even feed through the machine!
I’ve reinstalled all the software and drivers from scratch multiple times, and I've tried every troubleshooting step in the manual, but nothing works.
I honestly have no clue what to do. Taking it to a repair shop is way too expensive and just isn't worth it; I’d rather just buy a whole new printer-scanner than pay for service.
If anyone knows anything about fixing these things, please help!!!

There’s no helping it.

At our shop, we’ve got five broken HP Envy Series units sitting here, all with the exact same glitch. It’s happening everywhere. These things are built to last about 18 months before they're basically junk. Our hourly labor rate is $50 and parts are impossible to find. Everyone is seeing the same thing, and there's no math that makes repairing these worth it. Basically, they belong in the trash.

In other words, the manufacturer rigged the game. They want you to just go out and buy the newest model, keeping in mind you'll likely be doing the same thing again in 18 months. Or, to put it bluntly: they want to make sure you keep buying their genuine ink at FULL PRICE. Because they know you wouldn't shell out that kind of cash otherwise.

That’s just how it works these days.

Makes sense?

brightviper13 said:It’s a massive headache when a printer dies right after the warranty expires—honestly, who even builds hardware to last just a year?
Your only real move is to scour the web for a reset program. Just search for an Epson reset tool, maybe include your specific model number.
That’s basically what repair shops do; they clear out whatever error code the printer logged in its memory. Usually, these errors pop up because the thing hasn't been used enough and the ink dried up inside.
In your situation, you've had one color sitting there for two years. If you don't print regularly, things break, especially if you're using off-brand ink. Honestly, regardless of whether you think you need to, you should be printing *something* every five days—just a tiny photo, anything to keep the ink flowing through the print head. And I mean all colors, not just one. It doesn't have to be a full-size photo; something small works fine.
Try finding that reset software first to wipe whatever ghost error is causing this mess. Once that's done, grab some new ink. You can go with third-party stuff, but if you ask me, stick to Orink or nothing else. Third-party junk is hit or miss, but Orink has always been solid. Get the new ink in before you try the reset. But hey, do whatever you want. We've seen this before in old threads—cheap knockoff ink causes malfunctions or won't even get recognized. Orink is the way to go if you're going budget.
As for whether you can actually save this thing... well, for about $100, you could just buy a decent new printer. Just remember: don't let it sit idle this time.

I already tried a few different reset programs, but none of them support this specific model. Honestly, it’s not even worth paying a repair shop to look at it; I’d rather just pick up a new one.
It's totally possible the lack of use killed it. Truth is, I haven't really used it much lately.
Thanks for the tip!

rustysurfer79 said:It's a lost cause

We've got five broken HP Envy Series units sitting in the shop right now, all showing the exact same error. That's just how it goes these days. Stuff is engineered to last maybe 18 months before it's ready for the graveyard. Service rates are $50 and you can't even get parts for them anymore. When they all die the same way, there's no point playing math games with these machines. They're headed straight for the trash bin.

Basically, the manufacturer rigged the game. They want you to go out and grab the latest model, knowing full well you'll be back doing the same thing in 18 months. Or, if you read between the lines: it's a scheme to force you into buying more original ink at FULL PRICE. Because they know nobody would pay those prices otherwise.

That's just the way the world turns lately.

Get it?

Oh, I'm well aware of how this works. It's called capitalism! They sell junk so people have to shell out cash for replacements more often, but that's a whole different conversation. Looks like I'm stuck buying a new printer!

melloworca46 said:Look, I know how this works. It’s just capitalism at play! Companies pump out mediocre gear just to force us to spend more cash on upgrades later, but that’s a whole other conversation. Guess I’ve got no choice but to go grab a new printer!

Listen, if you're buying something brand new, don't expect it to be cheap $267. You're basically looking at paying twice as much as the bottom-of-the-barrel option, but honestly, you aren't getting double the lifespan either. All you really get is slightly better performance and maybe fewer trips to the store for ink.

On the flip side, if your main goal is just getting cheap prints, your best bet is grabbing a reliable setup == a printer paired with refillable cartridges plus the bulk ink
Why?
Because once you hit that 5,000 to 8,000 print mark, those printers usually need a reset. With the newest models, nobody has even made the reset tools yet—and even if they did, manufacturers aren't exactly rushing to release them to the public.

rustysurfer79 said:Look, if you're out there buying something brand new, don't hold your breath for a bargain. It’s almost impossible to find anything under retail. $267So, look. It’s twice the price compared to the cheapest option out there, but honestly? You aren't exactly getting double the lifespan out of it. What you're really paying for is just slightly better performance and having to swap out the ink less often. That's about it.

Look, if you’re just trying to scrape together some cheap prints, you might as well just go for a proven combo—grab a decent printer, some high-capacity cartridges, and a bulk pack of ink. It's the only way to make sense of it.
Why?
Look, here's the deal: once you hit that 5,000 or 8,000 print mark, those printers basically demand a hard reset. Most of the time, especially with the newer models, nobody's actually released the reset tools yet. Honestly? It’s probably because the manufacturers don't want to make it easy for us—they have zero interest in letting that kind of software just float around freely.

What kind of model are you actually looking for? I’m not trying to sell you anything, but if you don't want to drop a ton of cash, you might be better off hunting for something used on Marketplace or eBay. Honestly, buying brand new these days feels like a scam unless you really need that warranty. If you can find a decent deal on a secondhand unit, go for it—just make sure you check the print heads before handing over the money. Personally, I've learned the hard way that "cheap" can get real expensive, real fast, if you aren't careful.
How can you actually tell which models come with permanent ink tanks?

melloworca46 said:Which model should I go with? I don't want to drop a ton of cash, so maybe something used would work.
How can I tell if a model uses refillable cartridges?

If you're buying new, then

An HP OfficeJet is roughly $300 +
Hummingbird refillable tanks == $50 + tax +
Hummingbird or Magnetic ink (4 x 100ml) == about 80 cartridges == 150 or $33 + tax
Do the math and see what the total comes to

Same thing if you go the used route
An HP OfficeJet with refillable tanks + 4 x 100ml ink == 88 cartridges == $333
Or
An HP OfficeJet with refillable tanks + 4 x 100ml ink == 88 cartridges == $167

So what's the deal with the difference?

The difference is that the OfficeJet has 128 nozzles per color, while the other one has 90. But it's nearly 100% faster, so it makes up for having fewer nozzles with pure speed.

Then you've got the other OfficeJet with maybe 28(?) nozzles, which is painfully slow if you want the same print quality as the first two. Basically, if one nozzle out of 128 gets clogged, you won't even notice. Same goes for the 90-nozzle version. But with only 28, it's actually noticeable.

Now, if you consider that the OfficeJet also has extra consumables like a battery for the refillable system—which has an uncertain lifespan and costs about 15 - $6.75 to replace—while the other doesn't need that, then both options make sense depending on how you look at the price and usage.

If you aren't planning on printing a massive amount, just grab the cheapest All-in-One you can find and toss it once the ink runs out. Honestly, between the mess of swapping cartridges and the time or money spent maintaining it, it’s barely worth the headache. That's just how they design them now. It's like disposable pens, markers, or lighters. You don't really swap the internals anymore. Sure, there are third-party fixes, but they aren't nearly as reliable as the dedicated refillable systems for Epson.

In the higher-end tier, though, swapping out components because of those 90 or 128 nozzles actually makes sense.
It's a similar story with Canon or HP in that category. Epson just has the edge because you have reliable Hummingbird refillable tanks and ink to back it up. You won't run into issues even if it sits for a while, mostly because the print head is easy to clean. That isn't always true for the originals (pigmented ink tends to settle if it sits too long), let alone some random third-party stuff you pick up from different vendors every time. It's like when you constantly switch partners in bed and then wonder why things aren't working out.

But here, you get 4 x 100ml bottles, and for some people, that lasts them a couple of years.

Hey everyone! After all that trouble I had with my old printer and those third-party inks, I finally bit the bullet and bought a brand new one🙂🙂. My HP Envy Series works like a dream, but honestly, I can't even fathom going back to using refill cartridges... just thinking about how much a single $30 costs makes me feel lightheaded
.

rustypanther39 said:Hey guys, after all that drama with my old printer and those knock-off inks, I finally just bit the bullet and bought a new one🙂. 🙂My HP Envy Series works like a charm, but honestly, I’m over the whole third-party ink thing... just thinking about how much a single $30 Black cartridge costs makes me want to pass out.

You can actually grab some genuine ones for around 30 bucks$13
.
See, we have a huge stash of original cartridges sitting around—they're at about 70-90% capacity—that we pulled out to swap in some Hummingbird ones after getting the print heads serviced.
Basically, if they've got about 50% left, you could snag two original cartridges for $13
.

rustysurfer79 said:You can actually snag some originals for as little as 30 bucks$13

Basically, we’ve got a huge stash of genuine cartridges sitting around. Most are at about 70-90% capacity. We pulled them out and swapped them for Hummingbird cartridges after getting the inkjet heads serviced.
In other words, if they're around 50% full, you can grab two original cartridges for $13

Where can I find those? I'm hunting for Black specifically!

rustypanther39 said:Wait, where can I find that? I really need some Black

Honestly, Black is what kills these things. It runs out the fastest and clogs up more than anything else, which is why we eventually just tossed the OEM cartridges. Most of the time, these printers end up at the repair shop because of the Black ink issues. The other colors are totally fine and you can find them in huge quantities everywhere.

rustysurfer79 said:Black ink is the real workhorse here—it burns through cartridges and clogs up way faster than anything else. Honestly, we ended up tossing the original cartridges because they just weren't cutting it. Most of these printers end up at the repair shop solely because of black ink issues. As for the colors? They're perfectly fine, and you can find them in massive quantities out there.

Does anyone know where I can actually pick some of this up?🙂

rustypanther39 said:I was just wondering where I could actually pick one up?🙂

Run a search for Asterix Obelix and locate them at ???? .com

rustypanther39 said:I was just wondering where I could actually pick one of these up?🙂

If you're coming from Indianapolis, you can cut through Falconer and then hop onto the wine route heading toward that suburban town. Just pull over halfway up the hill on Route 81—right by that red hand sign.

I can't see the image you linked! It looks like the link might be broken or private. Could you try uploading the photo again or describing what's going on? I'd love to take a look.

rustysurfer79 said:If you're driving up from Indianapolis, you can cut through Falconer and then hop onto the wine route toward that suburban town—just pull over halfway up the hill on Route 81. Look for the spot by the red hand sign.

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphoto...96784929_n.jpg

Haha, thanks for the tip! But honestly, if I'm making a special trip just to grab some toner, I wouldn't really be saving much money at all!🙂

rustypanther39 said:Thanks, I appreciate that, but if I'm driving all the way out just to grab toner, the gas alone would pretty much kill any savings.🙂

So you just grab one of those Hummingbird bundles—you know, the one with 88 cartridges—and suddenly you're looking at an effectively 88 savings per unit. It's a total steal.

Don't even sweat it—folks were driving all the way from Indianapolis just to grab that package from us out here in Napa Valley.