Printer issue I've never encountered before

[PaulGross]

Need help...I just replaced my black ink cartridge with the usual HP 950 XL, and got the following error message, which I've never seen before:  "There is a problem with the printer or ink system.  Turn printer off, then on.  If problem persists, contact HP."  As you know, it's not possible to get HP on the phone, so I pray that somebody sees this and can tell me if my printer is dead, or if it's a quickly fixable problem.  My business is down if I don't have my printer...this printer has worked very well with zero problems, and all I did was a routine ink cartridge replacement.  I appreciate any help somebody can provide.

[PaulGross]

I should add that I've done the power down thing, as well as took out and reinserted the ink cartridges.

[Max3Aj]

@PaulGross, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

The error message you're seeing "There is a problem with the printer or ink system" on your HP Officejet Pro 8610 after replacing the black HP 950XL cartridge is a known issue and can stem from several causes. Here's a breakdown of what might be happening and how to troubleshoot it:

Common Causes

1. Air in the ink system – This can happen when a new cartridge is installed.
2. Faulty or incompatible cartridge – Even genuine HP cartridges can sometimes be defective.
3. Dirty or damaged printhead – Especially if the printer is older.
4. Firmware issues – A recent update might have triggered compatibility problems.
5. Printer not level – Surprisingly, if the printer isn’t sitting level, it can cause ink flow issues.

Try these steps in order:

Power Cycle the Printer

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the wall for at least 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

Check Cartridge Compatibility and Seating

• Remove and reinsert all cartridges, ensuring they click into place.
• Make sure you're using genuine HP 950/951 cartridges.

Clean the Printhead

• Use the printer’s built-in cleaning utility (via the printer menu).
• If that doesn’t help, you may need to manually clean the printhead or consider replacing it.

Check Printer Level

• Place a small round object (like a marble) on top of the printer. If it rolls, the printer isn’t level. Adjust accordingly.

Try a Different Cartridge

• If possible, try another new black cartridge to rule out a defective one.

Firmware Rollback (if recently updated)

• If the issue started after a firmware update, it might be worth checking if a rollback is possible.

If none of these work, the issue may lie with the printhead, which can be replaced, we suggest you please visit the nearest HP authorized service center, the service team will check and assist you. 
Kindly follow this link to locate the nearest HP service center: HP® Service Center Locator - United States | HP® Support
(Select the country from the dropdown menu and enter the city name or pincode) 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support