Printer doesn't recognize the cartridge

Take the cartridge out and check for orange tape, clear film or a plastic cap; laser toner often has a pull-tab seal. Leave the copper contacts and any chip in place.

Match the cartridge to the slot's label or color, insert it at the angle your manual shows, and push until it clicks. Close the door or latch fully, as many printers only read cartridges once it's shut.

Wipe the cartridge's gold or copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth or a cotton swab barely dampened with water, and let them dry fully. Clean the matching contacts in the carriage only with the printer unplugged, and don't touch the nozzles.

With the printer on, unplug the power cord for 60 seconds, then plug it straight into a wall outlet and power on. This makes the printer re-read every cartridge.

Compare the number on the cartridge with the list in your manual or on the maker's site. Some printers only accept cartridges sold for the region where the printer was bought, so a genuine cartridge from abroad can be rejected.

Compatible and refilled cartridges work in many printers, but some printers reject chips they don't recognize, and firmware updates can change which ones are accepted. If only a non-original cartridge fails, check the seller's compatibility notes or try another batch, brand or an original to find the cause.

Open the maker's app, or Printing preferences from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, to see which cartridge is flagged. One cartridge points to that cartridge; all of them point to the printer or its firmware.

Firmware updates arrive through the maker's app, the printer's menu or its web page. Some makers let you choose whether updates install automatically, which gives you control over when changes happen.

Cancel any waiting jobs in Open print queue, then print a test page from Printer properties.

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, then Options & Supplies > Supply Levels. A missing or unknown level shows which cartridge isn't being read.

Check for updates, and any automatic update option, in the printer's menu, the maker's Mac app or the printer's web page, which many models open with Show Printer Webpage.

Open the printer's queue from its Dock icon, delete stuck jobs, click Resume if paused, and print a test page.