Lexmark error 31.40 - defective or missing cartridge
The printer cannot read or authenticate the print cartridge fitted in the machine, so it stops rather than risk printing with a part it does not recognise. Errors beginning 31 relate to the cartridge and its chip, with the digits after the dot narrowing down which cartridge or condition is involved. The most common triggers are a dirty contact, a poorly seated cartridge or a refilled unit.
What causes it
- The cartridge is not fully seated in its slot
- The contacts on the cartridge chip or in the printer are dirty or oxidised
- A refilled or remanufactured cartridge has a chip the printer cannot read
- Packing tape or shipping material was left on a new cartridge
- The cartridge chip has genuinely failed
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Reseat the cartridge
Switch the printer off, open the front door, remove the cartridge and slide it back in until it clicks firmly into place. Close the door fully and switch the printer on. A cartridge that sits a millimetre proud of its stop will not make contact and produces exactly this error.
Check for packing material
On a new cartridge, look for orange or clear plastic strips, a sealing tape pull-tab, or a protective shield on the drum. Remove everything that is not part of the cartridge, then refit it. A missed tape is the most common cause on a first install.
Clean the chip contacts
Wipe the small gold or copper contact pad on the cartridge with a dry lint-free cloth, and look inside the printer for the matching spring contacts. Do not use liquids or abrasives. Oxidised contacts are frequently enough to stop the chip being read.
Test with a known-good cartridge
If you have a spare genuine cartridge for the model, fit it and see whether the error clears. This immediately tells you whether the fault is in the cartridge or in the printer, and saves buying a replacement that may not help.
Confirm the cartridge is the right part for the region
Lexmark cartridges are region-coded, and a cartridge intended for a different region will not be accepted. Check the part number against the model's supplies list on the Lexmark support page or the label inside the front door.
Power cycle to clear a latched error
Switch the printer off, unplug it for a full minute, then plug it back in and let it complete its start-up sequence. Some cartridge errors latch and persist after the physical cause is fixed until the printer is fully restarted.
Check the firmware level
From the printer's web page, reached by typing its IP address into a browser, look at Settings and check for a firmware update. Cartridge recognition behaviour is controlled by firmware, and known issues are sometimes addressed there.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
Will a compatible cartridge work?
Sometimes, but third-party chips are a leading cause of 31.xx errors, especially after a firmware update changes how chips are validated.
Does this mean the cartridge is empty?
No. It means the printer cannot read or accept it, which is a recognition problem rather than a toner level problem.
Can I clean the contacts with alcohol?
Keep it dry. A dry lint-free cloth is safer, and liquids can leave residue on the chip pad.
Questions & comments (0)
No comments yet. Describe your printer model, operating system and the exact message you see; comments appear after review.
Ask about this page
Your comment appears after our team approves it. Or sign in to post faster.