Ink Carts showing full even when empty

Strange problem with my trusty old IP4500. Carts are showing as full even after heavy printing. Have been using ARC carts but switched back to OEM carts with red setter and ink monitoring doesn't show any decrease in ink levels after printing.

I've never come across this before. Not a great problem but it's the opposite of ink monitoring not working at all. Printer seems to accept that all carts are full whether empty or not.

Anyone else experienced this. Any suggestions?

wilko said:

ink monitoring doesn't show any decrease in ink levels after printing.

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Depending on how much ink was used during a printing session you may not have any change in the ink level monitoring.

At some point the ink level monitoring should show a lowering of the ink level, obviously well before the cartridge is empty.

Potential culprits are bad chip, malfunctioning resetter, malfunctioning EEPROM of the printer.

Maybe the chip on the cartridge is malfunctioning. Try resetting the chip, refill to full, and try using again. If this does not return ink level monitoring function to normal then consider resetter malfunction - maybe it just needs new batteries - or the chips on the cartridge are bad and not to use that chip (cartridge) anymore.

Another test would be to try a new cartridge to see if ink level monitoring still/returns to function.

One other thought... could it be possible that the use of ARC chips cause the EEPROM of the printer to become corrupt? Not heard this but cannot rule it out yet. In this case, try returning to using the ARC chips to see if this resolves the issue.

Thanks for reply. Tried different combinations of carts. Even inserted a completely empty OEM cart and ink volume still showed full. Looks like the EEPROM has been corrupted as you suggested. Can continue to print but will have to watch ink volumes carefully.

Ride that 4500 till the old girl gives up the ghost.

agreed, keep that 4500 running for as long as you can.

one of the best built canon printers and so easy to refill.

J

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• Active Printers: MP870, MP980, PRO-100
• Stored Printers: IP4500, MX700, MX860, MX870
• Past Printers: MP830
• Method: German Durchstich Method
• Ink: Hobbicolors and OCP
• Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

Strange that the prism system doesn't trip an out of ink warning.

Perhaps something is blocking the sensor??

Think I've cracked it. Reset EEPROM with a combination of power and reset buttons and now ink monitoring is back. Got details from the Internet. I think it was for resetting ink pads on the old "i" printers. However, it worked. Back to refilling OEM Carts again. Laying off ARC carts, because I am certain that they caused this problem.

Printer showing 4086 pages printed, so lots of mileage in the old girl yet.

Thanks for replies.

Congrats on getting things sorted out.

wilko said:

Got details from the Internet.

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Please post the link or the instructions if you still have it.

I think that @wilko refers to the EEPROM reset available in service mode. As you know, the IP4500 works with the push buttons system. No need for software tools and the service manual is freely available for download.

Great printers they’re those Pixmas from the IP4000 to the IP4500. Pity that genuinely new printheads have practically disappeared.

Artur5 said:

I think that @wilko refers to

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Agree, but not what I asked.

The issue OP encountered seems exceedingly rare. If OP can post the instructions or a link to the instructions he followed to resolve his issue then it might help someone else one day. Documenting the steps taken to resolve an issue, if possible, is best practice.