Cartridge Support
Cartridge Support
Having trouble with an ink or toner cartridge? Start here for simple checks, common printer fixes and helpful support guides before arranging a return.
What type of cartridge do you need help with?
Choose the guide that matches your printer. Ink cartridges are normally used in inkjet printers, while toner cartridges are used in laser printers.
Ink Cartridge Support
Help with ink cartridges not recognised, cartridges not printing, low ink messages, missing colours and basic inkjet troubleshooting.
Go to ink support ›Toner Cartridge Support
Help with faint or blank pages, toner seals, toner not recognised, streaks, marks, drum messages and laser printer checks.
Go to toner support ›Quick fixes for common cartridge issues
These are the checks we usually recommend before assuming a cartridge is faulty. They are safe, simple and only take a few minutes.
Ink cartridge not recognised?
Start with the basics, then reset the printer.
- Check the cartridge is the correct model for your printer.
- Make sure each cartridge is installed in the correct colour slot.
- Remove and reinstall the cartridge firmly.
- Switch the printer off, unplug it for at least 1 minute, then restart.
New ink cartridge not printing?
This can happen when ink has settled away from the print head.
- Stand the cartridge print-head down for around 10 minutes before installing.
- Place the print head on a damp folded paper towel for a few minutes.
- Reinstall the cartridge and print a few test pages.
- Run your printer’s cleaning cycle if colours are still missing.
Faint or blank toner pages?
A faint or blank page is often caused by the toner seal or settled toner.
- Check whether the removable toner seal has been fully pulled out.
- Gently shake the toner cartridge side to side to redistribute toner.
- Check toner density settings if your printer allows this.
- Print a test page to help identify whether the issue is cartridge or printer related.
Popular cartridge support guides
Quick access to the most useful support articles for common inkjet and toner issues.
Guidance for Canon printers where the ink monitor still shows low or empty after installing a refilled cartridge.
View Canon low ink guide ›Count the flashes and use the guide to understand what your Canon inkjet printer is trying to tell you.
View orange light guide ›Help for HP printers affected by firmware updates that may prevent compatible cartridges being recognised.
View HP firmware help ›Print quality test pages
If your print quality is poor, download and print one of our test pages at full size, regular quality and on at least 80gsm paper.
Colour test page
Use this page to check colour output, missing colours, banding and uneven print quality.
Print colour test pageGrayscale test page
Use this page to check black toner or ink quality, fading, density and line clarity.
Print grayscale test pageStill need cartridge help?
If the quick fixes have not solved the problem, our customer service team can help. Please include your order number, printer model, cartridge code and a photo of any error message.