Printer Goes Through Motions but Does Not Print

kathy2709,

First, the printer needs to be able to make a copy by itself. B&W and color. If it doesn't then this is what to try with the Dell Series 5 ink cartridges.

Unplug the printer from the wall. Now remove the powerbrick for 60 seconds. This will reset any error message the printer is getting. Plug everything back in and power the printer on.

Open the printer with the power on and remove the Dell Series 5 black ink cartridge and make sure the tape is off the cartridge, then reseat the cartridge back in. Now do the same for the Dell Series 5 color cartridge. Now when you close the printer, it should print an alignment page. Any error messages?

Dell Series 5 ink cartridges have a sensor in them and cannot be refilled. Article on refilling Dell ink cartridges

They can be purchased at Staples, Walmart or Dell's website.

Black cartridge = black side(left side)               Color cartridge = color side(right side)

Photo cartridge = black side(left side)              Color cartridge = color side(right side)

It is also possible to get a new ink cartridge with a bad sensor. Please take it to the place of purchase for a replacement one.

Rick

I followed all of the steps you suggested. I tried brand new and refilled Series 9 cartridges that I bought from Dell, and a brand new Series 5 that I got at Walmart. The Series 5 is only about a month old and worked fine before this happened. When I get to the step when the alignment page should print, nothing happens. The message on the printer reads Copies - 1.  When I press the black copy button, the page sounds like it is printing, but comes out blank. I have a piece of paper with writing  on it under the cover that I tried to copy as a test.

I know very little about computers so I don't know what else to try.

kathyg2709,

You should be able to copy a document with no problems. Try lifting the cover over the scanner and see if the light bulb comes on.

Rick