Printer error message: Missing or failed print head.

[max10pointer]

I have a Photosmart 7520 printer that quit working. I get a error message that says: missing or failed print head.  Help

[Elohi_NR]

Hi @max10pointer,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

This looks like a hardware issue. However, 

Clean the printhead

There are three areas on the printhead that need to be cleaned: the plastic ramps on both sides of the ink nozzles, the edge between the ink nozzles and the electrical contacts, and the electrical contacts.

Figure : The three areas on the printhead that need to be cleaned

Plastic ramps on the sides of the nozzles

Edge between nozzles and contacts

Electrical contacts

   CAUTION: 

Do not touch the ink nozzles. Do not touch the electrical contacts with your finger.

Figure : Do not touch the contact area with your fingers 

Follow these steps to clean the printhead.

Gather the following cleaning materials:

Several clean, lint-free cloths or papers. Coffee filters and glass-cleaning cloths work well.

Distilled or bottled water. Do not use tap water. Tap water can contain contaminants that can damage the printhead.

Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth.

Use the damp cloth to wipe the electrical contacts from the bottom to the top. Do not go past the edge between the electrical contacts and the ink nozzles. Repeat this motion until no ink appears on the cloth.

Figure : Clean the electrical contacts

1. 

Use a fresh, lightly dampened, lint-free cloth to wipe any accumulated ink and debris from the edge between the ink nozzles and the electrical contacts.

Figure : Clean the edge between the ink nozzles and the electrical contacts

1. 

Use a fresh, lightly dampened, lint-free cloth to wipe the plastic ramps on both sides of the ink nozzles. Wipe away from the nozzles only.

Figure : Clean the ramps

1. 

Dry the previously cleaned areas with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.

Lightly dampen a fresh, clean, lint-free cloth with bottled or distilled water.

Clean the electrical contacts inside the printer by wiping them from top to bottom. Repeat this motion until no ink appears on the cloth.

Figure : Clean the electrical contacts inside the printer

1. 

Dry the area with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.

Step 3: Reinstall the printhead and cartridges

Hold the printhead upright with the colored icons on the top.

Lower the printhead into the carriage.

Figure : Reinstall the printhead

1. 

Carefully lower the latch handle.

Figure : Lower the latch handle

1. 

   CAUTION: 

Leaving the latch handle raised can result in incorrectly seated cartridges. The latch must remain down to install the cartridges correctly.

With the nozzle and contacts facing down, slide the cartridges into their slots. Press down on the cartridge until it clicks into place. Make sure that the colored icon on the cartridge label matches the colored icon on the carriage slot.

Figure : Reinstall each cartridge

1. 

Close the cartridge access door. The carriage returns to the right side of the printer.

Figure : Close the cartridge access door

1. 

If the issue persists, contact the phone support for service options.

Keep me posted for further assistance.

 Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.