How to Troubleshoot an Officejet 500 and Insert a Color Cartridge

OfficeJet printers are four machines in one.

The OfficeJet 500 all-in-one combines the functionality of a printer, scanner, copier and fax machine into a single unit, allowing one product to do the job of four. But while these all-in-one printers typically perform quite well, it is still a good idea to have some basic troubleshooting skills. These printers are prone to a number of issues, and spotting those problems early is the best way to keep your OfficeJet up and running. And for vibrant color prints, you can change your color inkjet cartridge.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swabs
• Isopropyl alcohol
• High Capacity Color InkJet Print Cartridge 51649A

Instructions

1. Remove all the paper from the paper tray and adjust the paper guide to the proper size. If the paper guides are not adjusted properly, the OfficeJet 500 will suffer from frequent paper jams.

2. Open the top cover of the printer and wait for the print cartridges to move to the center. Tilt the black ink print cartridge forward and lift it out of the printer. Removing and cleaning the print cartridge can help to resolve problems with print quality, including spots and streaks on the paper.

3. Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol or warm water and clean the cartridge thoroughly to remove any dried ink residue. Slide the cleaned black cartridge into the left-hand print cartridge carrier and push until it snaps into place.

4. Replace the color cartridge. Sometimes cleaning a cartridge is not the answer. If your color is no longer printing correctly, you need to replace the color cartridge. Remove the replacement cartridge from its box and remove the blue and white protective tape. Slide the new color cartridge into the right-hand print cartridge carrier until it snaps into place. Close the cover and send a test page to the printer.

5. Shut down the OfficeJet 500 and the computer it is attached to if you get no response when you send a job to the printer. Turn the OfficeJet 500 back on and wait for the "ready" light to stay lit. Turn the computer back on, log on and try your print job again. Continue with the next step if there is still no response.

6. Remove the printer cable from both your computer and the OfficeJet 500. Reseat the cable and make sure it is tight. If the cable is not seated properly, the printer cannot communicate properly with the computer.

7. Click the "Start" button on your computer and choose "Control Panel" from the menu. Double-click the "Administrative Tools" icon and then the "Services" applet.

8. Scroll down to the "Print Spooler" service and right-click. Choose "Start" to restart the print spooler service and restore communication with the printer. A problem with the print spooler is a common cause of communication issues with the OfficeJet 500.

References

• HP Support: OfficeJet 500 User Guide