The most common causes of this problem are blocked printheads or air trapped in the cartridge. To clear any blockage, use the small and/or large rubber priming tips, if included with the refill kit, to clear the printhead. Instructions for this are located in the manual. You may also try soaking the printhead (the bottom portion of the cartridge where the ink exits) in 1/4" to 1/2" solution of 50% warm, distilled water and 50% alcohol for about an hour.

Possible causes of this are overfilling, the sponge in the cartridge is beginning to dry up and is unable to retain the refilled ink, or the printhead is damaged. In the case of overfilling, extract some ink from the cartridge. Be sure to penetrate the sponge with your needle, push down to the bottom, then slowly move upwards as you inject the ink. Inserting your needle in different directions in the sponge may also help it to regain some of its porosity. If the cartridge continues to leak, it is possible the printhead is damaged beyond repair. Do not insert it in the printer. In this case, it is best to start over with a new cartridge.

1. Open the Lexmark Control Program (Click Start | Programs | Accessories | Printer Tools | Lexmark | Lexmark Control Program).
2. Click the Cartridges tab.
3. Click the Install Cartridge button for a black or color cartridge.
4. Insert the cartridge.
5. Select the appropriate New Cartridge Installed Button.
6. The printer may now automatically go through an alignment process. Once this is finished, the ink levels should now show full.

Always double check the colors in your cartridge by inserting a toothpick into each filling hole to determine which color goes where.