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Method # 1 Diagrams:

Method # 1

1. Put tape over Contact #1 as shown in the picture to the left. Put the cartridge back into the printer with the tape still stuck onto the cartridge.
   
   
2. The printer will give an error message - click "OK" and it will print out an alignment page. Once this has completed, continue down to Step 3.
   
   
3. After the printer has completed printing off the alignment page, open the cover, remove the cartridge and place a piece of tape over Contact #2 as shown in the picture to the left.
   
   
4. Put the cartridge back into the printer. The printer again give an error message - click "OK" and it will print off another alignment page. After this page has been printed, remove the cartridge from the printer, remove all tape from both Contact #1 and #2. Reinsert the cartridge back into the printer. Ink levels should now read full.
   
   
5. If the process does not work for you, make sure that no adhesive was left stuck to the contacts on the cartridge. Any residue will keep the cartridge from working properly and may cause the cartridge not to be recognized by the printer at all. If you have cleaned the contacts with rubbing alcohol, go through steps 1-4 again making sure each step is followed exactly.
   

  Method #2 Diagram:

Method #2

1. With the computer off, remove the HP 56 cartridge from the printer and cover contact #1 with tape.  Start up computer and printer should automatically print a test sheet.

2. Take out cartridge and cover contact #2 with tape.  Reinstall cartridge.  Printer will make a little noise.

3. Take out cartridge and cover contacts #3 & #4 with tape.  Reinstall cartridge.  (Printer will make a lot of noise.  If you check ink levels now with HP inkjet utility, you’ll be given a notice that printer is busy printing.

4.  Open printer lid and wait for cartridge to return to center.  Remove cartridge. 

5.  Remove tape from Contacts #1, #2, #3, and #4.  Reinstall cartridge.  (If you check ink levels now, you’ll be given a notice that printer is busy printing.)

6. Turn printer off and then on again.  Check ink levels — black ink should now registers as 100% full.  Printer should be ready to use.

Three Cartridge Method

On some models the above procedure won't work, and you'll have to fool the printer by keeping three of the same cartridges on hand (these cartridges can be old, empty cartridges).  This works because the printer only remembers the last TWO cartridges which were in it.  The procedure is as follows:

• HP 56 Cartridge #1 runs empty - remove it and refill it
• Istall HP 56 Cartridge #2
• Remove HP 56 Cartridge #2
• Istall HP 56 Cartridge #3
• Remove HP 56 Cartridge #3
• Install HP 56 Cartridge #1 (refilled).  The printer now thinks that cartridge #1 is new.