okay, detailed notes as to the sequence of actions directly prior to the printer functioning again, so that it will be easier to fix when it breaks a third time (I didn’t take notes the first time, for some fucking reason). in summation, arin may have been partially right about the ink, but it was definitely not the only problem at play and I am still correct that the errors we were seeing weren’t solely ink-based. but it seems to be working properly again.
unplugged the printer and left it unplugged for most of a movie and half an episode of bake-off
when plugged back in, it was not connected to the wifi anymore
reconnected to wifi, selected “multiple routers” instead of “single router” this time
still showing up as offline on my computer
clicked remove device and then tried to reconnect to printer
reconnection failed twice then spontaneously resolved
printed test sheet, blue showed up fine if a tad patchy but absolutely no black at all
printed cricut calibration sheet, completely blank (and slightly wrinkled) page
replaced ink cartridges marked as low (photo black and magenta)
checked other ink cartridges since the brand I am using now and previously has a clear tank
realized they are also running low, empty except for whatever’s left on the sponge
replaced all the ink except the photo blue because that doesn’t come with the ink I order and I don’t need it anyway
test sheet printed correctly in full
cricut calibration sheet printed in full but a little wonky (didn’t notice until the next step)
test sheet for tea stickers printed fuzzy
ran the print head automatic realignment
cricut calibration sheet printed correctly
test sheet for tea stickers printed correctly (did standard instead of high as well)
everything else printed correctly and I got the rest of what I needed from it
I found [this] page with more helpful troubleshooting instructions than anywhere else I’ve managed to find. as I’ve had this problem repeatedly with multiple fucking printers.
