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High Yield Black Ink Cartridge for HP 906XL (T6M18AN)
(This product may also be associated with these numbers)
HP
906XL
T6M18AN
Product Compatibility
This Cartridge may be used with the following printers:
HP
OfficeJet 6954
OfficeJet 6962
OfficeJet 6965
OfficeJet 6968
OfficeJet 6970
OfficeJet 6975
OfficeJet 6978
Please select an issue you might be having with your cartridge
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
To ensure continued operation of your aftermarket printer cartridges, please follow these step-by-step instructions to Disable Automatic Firmware Updates on your printer.
1. On the printers LCD screen, locate the "settings" icon on the main screen and press to select.
2. Scroll down and locate "printer maintenance" and press to select.
3. Next, press "update the printer" from the available options.
4. Press "printer update options".
5. Choose "Do Not Check”. This option prevents the automatic installation of firmware updates that might otherwise eliminate your ability to use aftermarket printer cartridges.
6. Do you want to turn on printer updates? Select "NO".
This option prevents the automatic installation of firmware updates that might otherwise eliminate your ability to use aftermarket printer cartridges.
Please note - not all firmware updates disable aftermarket printer cartridges, and some may contain important security updates. You are encouraged to review firmware release notes and periodically check for critical security updates from your printer manufacturer so you can make an informed decision whether to install a particular firmware version.
If you have installed your cartridges and receive an error message stating "The indicated cartridges are not intended for use in this printer" we apologize for the inconvenience. HP has issued a firmware update that affects your printer model and the use of this cartridge.
The first step to try and correct this error is to OPEN AND CLOSE the lid on your printer. If the error persists, please proceed to the process below.
To request a replacement item for your printer, please send the following information to support@cartridge-support.com:
1. What printer are you using? 2. Where was your product purchased? 3. What is the cartridge code(s)? (The cartridge codes are located on a small white label on the front or back of the cartridge. There will be 2 rows of numbers only - please include both rows beginning with the top row.) If you have multiple cartridges, please provide all cartridges codes and a replacement will be sent for each code you provide. 4. Shipping address for the replacement product to be shipped to. Please be sure to include city, state and zip code.
Once your information is received and verified, replacement product will be shipped via 2nd day service. Requests submitted without all of the information may be delayed further.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you receive an error message stating that the “alignment failed” or that the ”alignment could not be completed”, this may indicate that the printer is not properly recognizing the cartridge.
Remove the cartridge from your printer and locate the chip. Ensure that the chip is in place; and if so, you will want to clean it from any obstruction or debris as this may be preventing the alignment from completing.
Using a lint free cloth (such as a coffee filter), gently wipe the chip to remove any obstruction or debris.
Please also gently pull the tab on the front of the cartridge to help the cartridge fit into the printer properly.
Reinstall your cartridge into the printer (making sure it clicks into place), and attempt the alignment process again.
If the error continues, it may be necessary to perform a cleaning cycle to improve the quality of the print and allow the alignment process to be completed. Every printer is different so please consult your printer’s user manual for instructions on performing a cleaning cycle on your printer.
If you are not able to perform a cleaning cycle or if the alignment fails even after performing a cleaning cycle, please ensure that the scanner glass is clean and free from fingerprints or debris (this applies to certain models only).
If these steps do not allow the printer to align the cartridge(s), you will need to return the cartridge(s) to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you encounter an error stating that a cartridge is missing or damaged, please attempt the following procedures as possible solutions to correct the problem.
Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.
Gently pull the colored tab on the front of the cartridge.
Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place. Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
If you still receive a recognition error after installation, please remove the problem cartridge and confirm that there is a chip intact.
To locate the chip, look at the bottom of the cartridge.
If the chip is missing or not in the proper location, you will need to return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
Once you have confirmed that the chip is in the proper location, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.
To clean the chip, you may use a pencil eraser. Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris.
Or you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter.
Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris.
Replace the cartridge in the cradle, close the lid and again follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.
This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed.
Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes.
Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again.
If you have attempted both of these procedures and encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge; and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
To ensure continued operation of your aftermarket printer cartridges, please follow these step-by-step instructions to Disable Automatic Firmware Updates on your printer.
1. On the printers LCD screen, locate the "settings" icon on the main screen and press to select.
2. Scroll down and locate "printer maintenance" and press to select.
3. Next, press "update the printer" from the available options.
4. Press "printer update options".
5. Choose "Do Not Check”. This option prevents the automatic installation of firmware updates that might otherwise eliminate your ability to use aftermarket printer cartridges.
Please note - not all firmware updates disable aftermarket printer cartridges, and some may contain important security updates. You are encouraged to review firmware release notes and periodically check for critical security updates from your printer manufacturer so you can make an informed decision whether to install a particular firmware version.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
Confirm that the cartridge pictured matches the cartridge you have in your hand or installed in your machine. (The color of the cartridge may be different, but the shape should be the same.)
Confirm that the printer you are using is listed in the printer compatibility table as a suitable printer for the cartridge you are trying to install.
If ONE of these TWO criteria do NOT match, you have most likely received the incorrect cartridge for your printer. Please visit our PRINTER COMPATIBILITY page in order to determine what cartridge you need for your machine.
Once you have confirmed you have the correct cartridge for your printer, the first step is to remove the pull tab from the top of the cartridge.
Next make sure you have properly removed the plastic band and clip from the cartridge. The clip protects the nozzle on the cartridge and also keeps the cartridge from leaking.
Once the clip has been removed, confirm that the chip is in place on the cartridge. Now your cartridge is ready to be installed into your printer.
If the cartridge still does not fit into your printer, please make sure that you are installing your cartridge into the correct location in the printer. Please consult your printer’s user manual to learn how to correctly install your remanufactured inkjet cartridge.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you notice that the ink gauge displays low or no ink level, do not be alarmed - this is very common for a remanufactured inkjet.
Remove the cartridge or cartridges displaying a low ink level from your printer. Locate the chip on the bottom of the cartridge.
If the chip is gold, it is likely the original chip and will not display a correct ink level.
If the chip is a different color (such as green), the ink level should register correctly; but you may need to clean the chip from any obstruction or debris.
To do so, you may use a pencil eraser. Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris.
Or you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter. Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris.
Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle. You should now see an ink level.
If the chip is gold (or a different color other than green), the ink gauge on your printer will no longer read the ink levels correctly because it does not recognize your cartridge as “new”. There is no way to reset this gauge; but this message can be bypassed easily, when necessary, and will not affect your printing performance.
Keep in mind that the ink gauges on printers only serve as an estimate of how much ink may be remaining in the cartridge.
To continue printing, click ok or continue through any printer prompts, if applicable, to allow the printer to finish printing.
Or you may press ok on your printer’s LCD screen, if it has one.
If you do not see an option to bypass the low ink message, please click here for an example of what to look for on your printer.
If you have attempted this troubleshooting and are still not able to print, there may be a problem with the cartridge and you should contact the place of purchase.
Ink System Failure
The error shown below most often indicates that a printhead or printheads in your machine need to be replaced. If powering the printer off and then on again did not eliminate the error, removing all of the cartridges and reinstalling them may resolve the issue.
If you still receive the error message after completing these steps, you should replace the printhead(s). Please consult your printer's user manual (or the OEM website) for instructions on how to change the printhead in your machine and the suggested maintenance for your printer.
Please note that printheads are a consumable item. They may need to be replaced periodically throughout the life of your printer to ensure the best printing quality.
The error pictured above may not look identical to yours, but the same information applies to the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you encounter a pop-up screen containing information about HP's Cartridge Protection Feature asking you if you would like to discourage theft and counterfeiting by protecting your HP cartridge, select "No".
If you selected “Yes” in error, you may see a second screen asking you to enable or disable HP Cartridge Protection.
Select “Disable HP Cartridge Protection” then “Save Setting” and close.
You may encounter an error stating that "HP's ink cartridge and printer warranties do not cover repairs or service due to the use of non-HP cartridges or non-HP ink" or an error stating "Counterfeit Cartridge Advisory".
It is important to note that most remanufactured inkjet cartridges are 100% guaranteed. Most manufacturers warrant against any damage to your printer.
In order to continue or begin using your printer, click OK or Continue to dismiss the printer prompts that appear on your screen after installing the remanufactured cartridges. Do not click "Cancel".
This message may reappear prior to the depletion of your cartridge. Please follow the same procedure to dismiss the message if this does occur.
If you did click "Cancel", click here for more information.
Your rights as a consumer are protected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, Subparagraph C, Section 101.
"The use of a non-HP ink cartridge or a refilled ink cartridge does not affect either the warranty to the customer or any HP support contract with the customer."
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
You may encounter an error stating that "HP's ink cartridge and printer warranties do not cover repairs or service due to the use of non-HP cartridges or non-HP ink" or an error stating "Counterfeit Cartridge Advisory".
It is important to note that most remanufactured inkjet cartridges are 100% guaranteed. Most manufacturers warrant against any damage to your printer.
In order to continue or begin using your printer, click OK or Continue to dismiss the printer prompts that appear on your screen after installing the remanufactured cartridges. Do not click "Cancel".
This message may reappear prior to the depletion of your cartridge. Please follow the same procedure to dismiss the message if this does occur.
If you did click "Cancel", click here for more information.
Your rights as a consumer are protected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, Subparagraph C, Section 101.
"The use of a non-HP ink cartridge or a refilled ink cartridge does not affect either the warranty to the customer or any HP support contract with the customer."
Please click here for more information How to respond to Warranty messages
Missing or Failed Printhead
If you experience the error shown below, please turn your printer off and then back on again. This should clear the error.
If the error persists, please consult your printer's user manual regarding printhead maintenance. Please note that printheads are a consumable item. They may need to be replaced periodically throughout the life of your printer to ensure the best printing quality.
The error pictured above may not look identical to yours, but the same information applies to the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have removed the pull tab, plastic band and clip from the cartridge but it does not "snap" into place, there is a simple solution to fix this.
Gently pull the colored tab on the front of the cartridge.
Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place.
Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
If your cartridge is still not fitting into the machine, you will need to confirm that you have been given the correct cartridge for your printer.
Please visit our Printer Compatibility page to determine which cartridge you need for your machine.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you encounter an error stating that a cartridge is missing or damaged, please attempt the following procedures as possible solutions to correct the problem.
Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.
Gently pull the colored tab on the front of the cartridge.
Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place. Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
If you still receive a recognition error after installation, please remove the problem cartridge and confirm that there is a chip intact.
To locate the chip, look at the bottom of the cartridge.
If the chip is missing or not in the proper location, you will need to return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
Once you have confirmed that the chip is in the proper location, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.
To clean the chip, you may use a pencil eraser. Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris.
Or you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter.
Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris.
Replace the cartridge in the cradle, close the lid and again follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.
This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed.
Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes.
Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again.
If you have attempted both of these procedures and encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge; and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have attempted to print a document but nothing prints on the page, first ensure that you have removed the pull tab from the top of the cartridge.
If you have already removed the pull tab and the cartridge is still not printing, you may need to clean any excess adhesive from the top of the cartridge.
Look at the top of the cartridge. Just above the cartridge label, you should see a “T”.
Using a pen or a pencil, remove any obstruction or debris from the “T”. This will allow ink to flow freely from the cartridge once installed into the printer.
Once this has been done and the cartridge has been reinstalled into your printer, please attempt your print again.
If the cartridge still does not print after cleaning the "T", please remove the product label. Once the product label is removed, you should be able to view the entire air vent (it looks like a channel of curvy lines). This should give the cartridge the proper air flow that it needs in order to continue printing.
If the cartridge still does not print or prints poorly after completing these steps, you may need to perform a cleaning cycle in order to improve the quality of your print.
This video will show you an example of how to perform a cleaning cycle through your printer’s LCD or touch screen. If your printer does not have an LCD screen, please select the troubleshooting for "Performing a Cleaning Cycle from your Computer" for further assistance.
Using the arrow keys, scroll to and select Setup
Select Tools
Scroll down, if necessary, and select Clean Printhead
Your printer will now perform a cleaning cycle
When the cleaning cycle is complete a test page will print.
If the quality on the test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.
If the print quality is still unsatisfactory, you may perform another cleaning cycle.
Please be aware that cleaning cycles consume a fair amount of ink and should only be performed when necessary.
If you are not satisfied with the print quality after two or three consecutive cleaning cycles, the cartridge may be defective and need to be returned to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have attempted to print a document but nothing prints on the page, first ensure that you have removed the pull tab from the top of the cartridge.
If you have already removed the pull tab and the cartridge is still not printing, you may need to clean any excess adhesive from the top of the cartridge.
Look at the top of the cartridge. Just above the cartridge label, you should see a “T”.
Using a pen or a pencil, remove any obstruction or debris from the “T”. This will allow ink to flow freely from the cartridge once installed into the printer.
Once this has been done and the cartridge has been reinstalled into your printer, please attempt your print again.
If the cartridge still does not print after cleaning the "T", please remove the product label. Once the product label is removed, you should be able to view the entire air vent (it looks like a channel of curvy lines). This should give the cartridge the proper air flow that it needs in order to continue printing.
If the cartridge still does not print or prints poorly after completing these steps, you may need to perform a cleaning cycle in order to improve the quality of your print.
This video will show you an example of how to perform a cleaning cycle through your printer’s LCD or touch screen. If your printer does not have an LCD screen, please select the troubleshooting for "Performing a Cleaning Cycle from your Computer" for further assistance.
Using the arrow keys, scroll to and select Setup
Select Tools
Scroll down, if necessary, and select Clean Printhead
Your printer will now perform a cleaning cycle
When the cleaning cycle is complete a test page will print.
If the quality on the test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.
If the print quality is still unsatisfactory, you may perform another cleaning cycle.
Please be aware that cleaning cycles consume a fair amount of ink and should only be performed when necessary.
If you are not satisfied with the print quality after two or three consecutive cleaning cycles, the cartridge may be defective and need to be returned to the place of purchase.
To determine whether the chip on your cartridge has been replaced, locate the chip on the bottom of the cartridge.
If the chip is gold and has notches at one end, it is likely the original chip (which means that it may not display a correct ink level).
If the chip is a different color (such as green) or is gold with no notches, the chip has been replaced (which means that the ink level should register correctly).
The cartridges pictured above may not look identical to yours, but the same information applies to the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
A small electrical patch containing contacts which stores information for interaction between the cartridge and the printer. Not all inkjet cartridges have a chip. Most inkjet cartridges contain a flexible ribbon (called a "flex ribbon") that contains the information for interaction with the printer.
A plastic part used to protect the contacts and nozzle plate during transportation and before use.
A cartridge that is made entirely of new components to resemble the OEM. Sometimes the cartridge only resembles the OEM on the exterior however most cases resemble the OEM both internally and externally.
A series of copper squares that makes contact and communicates with the printer.
The portion of the printer where the inkjet cartridges are installed. This device also carries the inkjet cartridges back and forth across the page creating the desired image.
Prints blue shades
Dye based inks are typically found in color cartridges; however, there are some cases where black cartridges are dye based (photo blacks are dye based). Dye based inks are not water proof or water resistant. They are available in a variety of shades which aids in the color matching to the OEM.
A cartridge that contains foam in one or more areas of the cartridge. The foam acts as a sponge holding the ink in the cartridge however adequately releasing the ink as needed when the space becomes available in the ink reservoir.
An integrated inkjet cartridge has a nozzle plate (printhead) installed on the cartridge along with an electric flexible ribbon connecting the nozzle plate to the electrical contact that interact with the printer.
Prints red shades
A non-integrated inkjet cartridge does not have a nozzle plate included on the cartridge. The nozzle plate for these types of cartridges is included in the printer. The printhead is a consumable item; in some cases, however, in others the printhead is not replaceable. In most cases the chip can be replaced on these style cartridges allowing them to respond to the printers exactly like the original.
Consists of a series of tiny holes that eject ink to form an image or text when instructed to do so by the computer through communication of the chip or flex ribbon.
Original Equipment Manufacturer; the brand new product produced by the company that produced the printer (i.e. HP, Lexmark, Dell, etc)
At times, OEM manufacturers make updates to ink cartridges and/or printer firmware that will cause printers to produce an error message that states “older generation” upon the installation of a cartridge. This firmware update requires that a customer purchase an OEM for their printer or insert a “newer generation” cartridge in order for the printer to function properly. This affects OEM as well as remanufactured cartridges. Inkjet remanufacturers are able to stay on top of these updates and begin producing the “newer generation” cartridges as soon as possible. For more information on these updates, click here for the HP 61 series or click here for the HP 950/951 series.
Lighter shades of black which allows for more color combinations and more "life-like" photographs.
Lighter shades of blue which allows for more color combinations and more "life-like" photographs [i.e. better flesh tones]
Lighter shades of red which allows for more color combinations and more "life-like" photographs [i.e. better flesh tones]
To pull ink from the foam or ink reservoir down to the nozzles preparing them for printing. This is a regular operation performed by the printer, but can also be manually performed to aid in producing an acceptable print.
A cartridge that has no foam inside and consists either of a bag/lining or a series of channels and canals. Both of these mechanisms adequately dispense the ink at the correct rate.
Pigment based inks are typically found in black cartridges; however, there are some cases where color cartridges are pigment based (some Epson, Kodak, and some wide format printer applications). Pigment based inks are water resistant and fade resistant; however, they do not come in many shades so color matching to the OEM is difficult. Pigment based inks also have a higher cost associated with them than do the dye based inks.
An inkjet spittoon is a component in inkjet printers that collects the ink that is removed from the cartridge when the inkjet is primed. This spittoon (sometimes called a reservior) can be either a plastic tray or a piece of foam that absorbs the excess ink. Some of the ink can dry (which makes the foam not absorb as well), and the ink that isn’t absorbed sits in the bottom of the printer. This is how ALL inkjet printers work, which is why it is never a good idea to move an inkjet printer as there will more than likely be ink in the bottom (especially older printers or printers that are used a lot).
A cartridge that is foam based and contains 3 different colors of ink in one cartridge. Typically these colors of ink are Cyan/Magenta/Yellow however there are photo cartridges that contain Photo Cyan/Photo Magenta/Photo Black.