Printhead error

[dmario]

I couldn't find ink 950/951, so bought remanufactured ink, which broke my perfectly good OfficeJet 8600 Pro. This makes me so angry that I have to get a different printer, so definitely will not buy another HP product of any kind - that is, unless there's a fix for the error message "printhead appears to be missing . . . ."  Grrrrr!!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dmario 

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

I understand how frustrating it feels when a printer that was working fine suddenly shows a printhead error after using remanufactured cartridges. 

Let’s go through precise steps to address the “printhead appears to be missing” message on your OfficeJet 8600 Pro:

Step 1: Power Reset

1. With the printer powered on, disconnect the power cord from the rear.
2. Unplug the cord from the wall outlet.
3. Wait at least 60 seconds.
4. Plug the cord back into the wall outlet and reconnect to the printer.
5. Turn the printer back on.

Step 2: Reseat the Printhead

1. Open the printer’s front cover and wait until the carriage stops moving.
2. Lift the latch handle on the carriage.
3. Carefully remove the printhead.
4. Inspect the electrical contacts on the printhead and inside the carriage for ink or debris. Gently wipe with a lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
5. Reinsert the printhead firmly into the carriage.
6. Lower the latch handle and close the cover.

Step 3: Check Ink Cartridges

1. Remove all cartridges.
2. Inspect each for protective tape or damage.
3. Wipe the copper contacts with a lint‑free cloth.
4. Reinstall the cartridges one by one, ensuring each clicks into place.

Step 4: Run Printer Maintenance

1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead.
2. Allow the cleaning cycle to complete.
3. Print a test page to check if the error clears.

Step 5: Update Firmware

1. On a Windows PC, open the HP App.
2. Ensure the printer is connected.
3. Navigate to Settings > Printer Update and install any available updates.

If the error persists after these steps, it usually indicates that the printhead or its electrical system has been affected. However, many times reseating and cleaning the contacts resolves the issue.

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! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[dmario]

Thank you for your response. I had already tried these suggestions several times to no avail. Apparently when I inserted the remanufactured color cartridge, HP has it programmed to "brake" the printer. I had no idea (until I researched afterward) that HP has rigged their printers so one has to buy their expensive cartridges.  (I did look several places for the HP cartridges, & couldn't find them so went for the reman.)  Even when I removed the reman & inserted the original HP cartridge, it still wouldn't work. I'm ready to toss this otherwise perfectly good machine and get a different brand, unless there really is a fix other than replacing the printhead, which isn't a viable option.  Thanks HP!   :{{

[dmario]

I decided to try again, but can't do steps 4 & 5 because I can't get past the "Missing or failed printhead" screen.  

Step 4: Run Printer Maintenance

1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead.
2. Allow the cleaning cycle to complete.
3. Print a test page to check if the error clears.

Step 5: Update Firmware

1. On a Windows PC, open the HP App.
2. Ensure the printer is connected.
3. Navigate to Settings > Printer Update and install any available updates.

[dmario]

Oops - I meant "break," not "brake."  Duh!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dmario 

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye