HP DeskJet 2755e — Never Successfully Printed, Extensive Troubleshooting Exhausted

[dgpwastaken]

Got this printer a while back, never set it up until recently. Here's everything I've tried, in order:

The PIN issue (solved): During setup, the PIN on the sticker inside the cartridge door didn't match what the app/EWS expected. Confirmed I had the right sticker, right serial number, just wrong PIN. Fix that worked: entering 12345678 instead of the actual printed PIN.

The app is broken (gave up on it on, iOS, Windows, and MacOS): After the PIN cleared, HP Smart just shows a white screen or "Cannot Obtain Printer Details." Tried reinstalling, clearing cache, checking network permissions, switching to 2.4GHz — nothing worked. Seems like a known bug, lots of other people online with the same issue and no fix.

The real problem — it won't complete its first print. Cartridge status has said "Use SETUP Cartridges" (with a red error icon) this entire time. I tried getting one single print job through three completely different ways:

1. Printer's own web interface (EWS) → Align Printhead → "Printer is busy"
2. Same web interface → Print Status Report → "Printer is busy"
3. Added the printer directly on my Mac via its IP address, bypassing the app entirely, and printed a test doc → job just disappeared with "Check the printer for errors
   
   

   Things I've ruled out:

   • Tape on the cartridges — none
   • Cartridges not seated right — cleaned contacts, reseated, heard the click
   • Shipping tape/foam holding the carriage or blocking paper path — checked, nothing there
   • Old cartridges — swapped in brand new ones (bought last week), still same result
   • A real error code — checked the Event Log, only shows routine "Supplies Information" entries and one undocumented "Printer Event" (code 69556) with no explanation anywhere

   Odd detail: the carriage moves fine when I open the cartridge door, but never moves at all when I actually send a print job — like it's failing before it even tries to print.

   Printer's out of warranty and this specific purchase isn't returnable. Anyone know what error code 69556 means, or is this just a dead unit at this point?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dgpwastaken 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

A very good day to you.  I reviewed the post. I will be delighted to assist you here.

Superb description and stupendous diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that.  😊 

To Resolve a 'Use SETUP cartridges' message for printers that use 67 and 67XL Black / 67 and 67XL Tri-color cartridges.

Check the ink cartridges and initialize the printer

Check if the printer has been set up with the correct cartridges, and then initialize the printer with one cartridge installed.

When you set up your printer for the first time, you must install new unused SETUP or Instant Ink Ready cartridges to initialize the printer.

Turn on the printer, and then open the door or lid to the cartridge access area.

Check if SETUP or Instant Ink Ready is printed on the cartridge labels.

If SETUP or Instant Ink Ready cartridges are not installed, check the printer box for them. If available and they are new and unused, install them to initialize the printer.

If SETUP or Instant Ink Ready cartridges did not ship with the printer, Contact HP Customer Support. SETUP cartridges cannot be purchased from retailers and are available only in the box with a new printer or with some replacement printhead kits.

If the error displays with SETUP or Instant Ink Ready cartridges installed, or you installed new cartridges and got the error, continue to the next step.

Remove both of the cartridges.

Carriages with cartridge latches: Open the latch, and then pull the cartridge up and out of the slot.

Carriages without cartridge latches: Gently press down on the cartridge to release it, and then pull it out of the slot.

Insert the black cartridge.

Close the cartridge access door or lid.

If a single-cartridge mode message displays, acknowledge it to initialize the printer. An alignment page prints confirming the issue is resolved. Install the other cartridge to continue printing.

If the error still displays, continue to the next step.

Remove the black cartridge, insert the tri-color cartridge, and then close the cartridge access lid or door.

If a single-cartridge mode message displays, acknowledge it to initialize the printer. An alignment page prints confirming the issue is resolved. Install the other cartridge to continue printing.

If the error still displays, continue to the next step.

Go to HP Customer Support, and then select a support option.

Ask the community. Post a message with your model name and number and the error message to get help with clearing the error.

Contact an HP agent. If you are in Asia Pacific, you are directed to a local service center in your area.

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye