Hp5100 ink tank SPILL!?

[Jc30001]

Help ! Moved my ink tank printer (yep, didn’t read how to move an ink tank - never owned one before) and black ink spilled all over inside. Cleaned as best I could but getting print cartridge error. It will print once then repeats the flashing cartridge icon. 

[Garp_senchau]

@Jc30001, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Restart the Printer

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer.
3. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
4. Wait for 60 seconds and connect the power cord back in.
5. Turn on the printer.

Check for Ink Residue:

If you haven’t already, double-check the ink tank and surrounding areas for any leftover ink. Even a small amount of ink can cause issues.

Use a lint-free cloth or a soft paper towel to gently wipe down the ink tank, the print head, and surrounding areas.

Check Ink Cartridge Position:

Make sure the ink tank is seated properly. If it’s even slightly misaligned, it can trigger an error.

Remove and reinsert the ink tank to make sure it clicks into place.

Clean the Print Head:

Ink spills can affect the print head. If your printer has a print head cleaning option in its settings, use it.

You can also manually clean the print head with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with a little warm water. Be careful not to press too hard or touch the nozzle.

Inspect for Ink Blockages:

If there’s still ink residue inside, it might be causing a blockage, preventing the print head from making proper contact with the ink. You might need to clean the print head manually (refer to your printer's manual for detailed steps).

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor (Windows only):

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool. Follow the prompts to diagnose and fix common printing issues.

Update Printer Firmware (Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support)

• Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page. Enter your printer model number and search for the latest firmware update. Follow the instructions to download and install the firmware update.

Try Printing a Test Page:

After cleaning, try printing a test page to see if the error clears up. You can often find this option in the printer settings or the printer's control panel.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Regards,

[Jc30001]

Hello,

i sent the following a while ago though perhaps it didn’t go thru. Thanks 

james 

 

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated. I have tried following your instructions and unfortunately am still having problems. 

I am printing wirelessly from my ipad / iphone. Wireless works fine. This printer will print one test page, but not consistently. It then again flashes the K printer cartridge error icon and “!”. Oddly what is happening is that when I check the cartridges there is a lot of black ink all over on the bottom of the CYM cartridge which I carefully clean off. I check the K cartridge and it looks fine. After reinstalling cartridges, the printer will sometimes print one page but no more. Then the K cartridge icon flashes again and when I check, once again there is a lot of black ink on the bottom of the CYK cartridge. Again I clean and reinstall and it will sometimes print a page, sometimes not again the same problem.  

Any ideas? 

Much thanks, 

James 

On May 15, 2025, at 8:20 AM, HP

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @Jc30001, 

Thank you for your response

Thanks for sharing the photo and detailed follow-up. From what you described and based on the image, it looks like your ink tank printer’s printhead—specifically the color (CYM) cartridge area—is being contaminated by excess black ink, most likely from an internal overflow or improper seal that occurred during the move.

Here’s a comprehensive plan to stabilize your printer and prevent repeated cartridge errors:

Black ink spill during transport has likely entered or saturated areas of the printer where it shouldn’t be.

Ink contamination is affecting the electrical contacts or nozzles of the printhead, especially around the color (CYM) area.

Each time the printer attempts a job, ink builds up again and causes errors.

Steps to Try Now:

Check and Clean the Ink Tank Overflow Path / Vent

There might be ink trapped in the tank’s overflow path, which is feeding into the wrong cartridge:

Inspect the ink lines and sponge areas under the tank caps for overflow.

If your model has ink vent plugs, make sure they are open (some models need the small colored rubber vent plug removed after transport).

Do not shake the printer or the tanks—this can worsen cross-contamination.

Carriage Area Cleaning

Use a flashlight to inspect the carriage rail and underside:

Look for black ink pooled around or beneath the printhead path.

Use dry swabs or paper towel strips to carefully wick out any ink from the rail base or the bottom of the cartridge bay.

Reset the Printer Again

After drying and reinstalling:

Perform another hard reset as you’ve done before.

Ensure the cartridges are reinstalled only after cleaning and drying.

Print Head Alignment and Firmware Update

Run a print head alignment from the printer control panel or HP Smart app.

Then check for and apply any firmware updates from the HP Support site.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,