Problems with HP DeskJet 400

I just did have this same problem. I got the drivers from HP as well, and even after running the setup program which seemed to run in a dos window, the problem kept happening. I finally deleted the printer from windows and let all the drivers be removed. Rebooted. Ran the add printer wizard from the printers applet and clicked on Have Disk for the drivers. I browsed to where the downloaded drivers were for the installation. Rebooted one more time and then it worked. Go figure! Hope this works for you as well.

Another thing you might try is to clean the print head with 70% rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. I'm talking about under the ink cartridge. It sounds as if the printer thinks it needs new ink... which may mean that the ink is not being sensed -- nozzles or contacts blocked???

I had this same problem with an hp....
It was the first time I had ever used an hp printer...

I didn't relize that there was a thin clear plastic film on the ink cartridge...

If you haven't removed the film off both ink cartridges... you could have the symptoms you described.

I had the same problem with a couple of printers here. It really worried me, because it seemed within months we had several of them doing it. I finally found out we got an "old" batch of ink! The ink cartridge itself was corroded! Brand new, fresh out of the package. I would say they sat on someones shelf for awhile before we got them (yes, you MUST circulate ink and sell the old stuff first, not just restock in front). Take a dull pocket knife and gently scrape the brass dots on the cartridge itself. If they aren't "shiny" they may have been corroding in the package. It makes printers do all kinds of odd things and is very easy to fix. One warning: Don't scrape hard or cut the little brass lines to those circles, you will ruin it. Good luck!

Does this problem occur when you print a self test page? If the answer is yes the problem is with the printer & cartridge. When the answer is no check the driver & printing software.

If the mentioned standard sollutions don't work stop and think about it. How much time are you spending on this problem? Deskjet 400's are dirt cheap (the cartridges provide the profit for the manufacturer). The costs to your employer (wages) might higher than the benefit (if and when you solve the problem). Spend an hour checking the standard sollutions. If it doesn't work and there are no good sollutions left. Write of the printers and buy some newer models (test them first).

This question was closed by the author

A lot of times this happens if the document you are printing is different than what you havw specified in the printere properties. If you have the default set up to print black and white documents and you might think that the document is black and white, the printer might think that something in it is color and be waiting for you to insert the color cartridge since it can only use one at a time. So if you have the black and white cartridge in, you might try changing it to the color or vice versa.

Jeff,
I would give you the points, but somehow you answered after I had already closed the question. And it will not let me award you any points since the question is closed. Sorry:(
Brandon