HP Smart Tank 7602 Printhead Problem Error Message

[iTried1886]

Help! My HP Smart Tank 7602 suddenly displayed a "Printhead Problem" error message. I have tried everything expect buying new printer heads (they both are displaying the same error message). I have read in other places it might be a hardware problem.

Please do NOT tell me to do the steps below. I have already tried all of these:

1. Power reset the printer

A full reset helps clear false hardware errors.

• Turn the printer on
• Disconnect the power cable from the rear
• Wait for 60 seconds
• Plug it back in and turn it on again

Check if the error clears.

2. Reseat both printheads

Even new printheads may not make perfect contact on the first installation.

• Open the printhead access area
• Lift the latch and remove both printheads
• Inspect the copper contacts for any tape, dust, or moisture
• Reinsert the black printhead on the left and the tri‑color on the right
• Make sure each one clicks firmly into place
• Close the latch securely and close the access door

Wait for the printer to initialize.

3. Clean the printhead electrical contacts

If the contacts have even slight residue, the printer may not detect the printheads.

• Turn the printer off
• Remove both printheads
• Use a lint‑free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water
• Gently wipe the copper contacts on each printhead
• Wipe the matching contacts inside the carriage
• Allow everything to dry completely
• Reinstall the printheads and power the printer back on

4. Check for protective materials or obstructions

• Make sure no orange protective caps remain on the printheads
• Ensure no packing material is stuck inside the carriage
• Confirm the latch closes fully without resistance

5. Run the diagnostic from the HP App

Since HP Smart has been replaced by the HP App:

• Open the HP App on your Windows PC
• Select your Smart Tank 7602
• Go to the troubleshooting or maintenance section
• Run the printhead or hardware diagnostic

This helps the printer re‑read the printhead status.

6. Update the printer firmware

If the printer is running older firmware, it may not recognize new printheads correctly.

• On the printer’s control panel, open Settings
• Go to Printer Maintenance or Printer Update
• Install any available update

7. Check carriage movement and alignment latch

• Open the access door and confirm the carriage moves smoothly
• Ensure the latch that holds the printheads is not loose or partially open
• Verify the printhead alignment process starts automatically after installation

If the error still appears after all these steps, it generally means the printer is unable to read one of the printhead chips or the internal printhead system is not responding. 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @iTried1886,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

Thank you for the detailed information, and I appreciate you listing everything you've already tried. That helps avoid repeating steps you've already completed.
 

Based on your description, if you've already performed the power reset, reseated and cleaned the printheads, verified the carriage and latch, run the diagnostics, updated the firmware, and the printer is still reporting a "Printhead Problem" for both printheads, then this may indeed be pointing to a hardware-related issue.
 

A few questions:

• Are the currently installed printheads the original HP printheads that came with the printer, or have they been replaced previously?
• If they were replaced, do you still have the original printheads available to test?
• Did the error appear suddenly, or was there any print quality issue leading up to it?

At this stage, if you have access to a known-good spare printhead, it may be worth testing it. However, if both printheads are reporting the same error and all troubleshooting has been exhausted, the issue could also be with the printer's printhead carriage electronics or detection circuitry rather than the printheads themselves.
 

In that situation, I would recommend taking the printer to an HP Authorized Service Center in your region. The technicians there can perform hardware-level diagnostics to determine whether the issue is with the printheads themselves or an internal printer component.

To contact HP Authorized Stores, click here: HP® Service Center Locator - United States | HP® Support.

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance.
 

Have a great day!