Ink Jet Printer

[Turkeytop]

For my computer in Florida I use an HP ink jet. But it seems like every year I have to buy a new one. They never work when I come back. This here keeps telling me it's out of paper when it isn't.

I wonder if the oppressively hot summer weather just dries out or somehow distorts the rollers in the machine.

[SolarMax]

There are dozens of hits on a "HP printer out of paper" search, including HP's solutions site. Have you tried some of the many troubleshooting suggestions and remedies?
Given the ripoff pricing of HP inks, it probably is almost as cheap to buy a new unit as it it to fully re-ink one with OEM cartridges.

[Turkeytop]

Tried them all. The final one says "If the problem still exists, return to HP for service." l'll just buy a new one. Probably cheaper.

[km1125]

Seems like the "out of paper" problem would be one of the easier ones to fix by checking the sensor, or "fix" by doing something to bypass the sensor. I have a couple old combo HP units that I'm sure have something pretty simple that's preventing them from working but I've never spent enough time on them to figure it out.

Seems like someone out there in the "Internet world" would have taken those on by now and figured out the easy way to make them work again.

[Turkeytop]

Went out today and bought the cheapest HP in the store. $44.00. Paid an extra 5 bucks for a two year warranty that covers everything.

[audiophile]

Buy a laser printer. Ink jets are garbage.

Plus it cartridge won't dry out or print smear when it gets wet. Only $5 more.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-LaserJet- ... /340778181

Laser printers can last a decade or more in daily use.

[Turkeytop]

Buy a laser printer. Ink jets are garbage.

Plus it cartridge won't dry out or print smear when it gets wet. Only $5 more.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-LaserJet- ... /340778181

Laser printers can last a decade or more in daily use.

My printer at home is a laser. But, for here, I just want something cheap.

[Mike Oxlong]

Went out today and bought the cheapest HP in the store. $44.00. Paid an extra 5 bucks for a two year warranty that covers everything.

And just keep buying them.
As far as I'm concerned, it's cheaper to buy a new printer, than go out and get more cartridges for the one I got.
Use it up, toss the whole thing and buy another one.
Only difference is I get Lexmarks. I can always find one for $29.99 somewhere.

[Turkeytop]

I'm not very tech savvy and it seems HP is the only brand I've ever been able to get running from new.

[kc8yqq]

Buy a laser printer. Ink jets are garbage.

Plus it cartridge won't dry out or print smear when it gets wet. Only $5 more.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-LaserJet- ... /340778181

Laser printers can last a decade or more in daily use.

100% correct! I've owned several ink jets over the years and almost all were purchased new. The new ones only lasted 6 months to a year before they started smearing from a gummed up print head.

I now own several laser printers (including 4 color) and all were purchased used at thrift stores, church sales, and etc. Never have had any problems, other than the printer outlasting various versions of Windows (especially Windows . I had 3 Minolta Konika Magicolor 2300s that weren't compatible with Windows 8 and couldn't find drivers. Stick with HP or Dell to avoid incompatibility issues. I even have a few HPLJ 1100 parallel printers that work with Windows 10.

I have paid anywhere from $25 to $70 for used color laser printers.