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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- replaced HP ink cartridge and printer does not work

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09-28-2024 04:54 PM
I have an HP Officejet Pro 8600. Purchased HP ink cartridge only to find original HP cartridges were not in the box. My printer alerted me that they were not original HP cartridges even though a sealed HP box. Returned to the store and exchanged the ink cartridges. Checked to make sure they were original HP ink cartridges. Installed the new cartridge and received the following error message on the printer: "Printer Failure. There is a problem with the printer or ink system." Turned the system on/off, unplugged it from the printer and outlet. Same message appears. Tried it several times. Any advice.
The printer is out of warranty.
09-30-2024 12:54 PM - edited 09-30-2024 12:54 PM
Hi @Beverley65,
Welcome to The HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
I understand you are getting the "Printer Failure" or "There is a problem with the printer or ink system" error on the HP Officejet Pro 8600 can indicate a problem with the ink cartridges, printhead, or printer's internal system.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:
1. Reset the Printer
- Turn off the printer and disconnect the power cord from both the printer and the wall outlet.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cord to the printer and the wall outlet.
- Turn on the printer and check if the error persists.
2. Check the Ink Cartridges
- Remove the new ink cartridges and inspect them for any visible damage, leaks, or issues.
- Clean the copper contacts on the cartridges with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
- Reinsert the cartridges and ensure they are firmly seated in their slots.
3. Check the Printhead
- Open the printer's cartridge access door.
- Remove the ink cartridges.
- If possible, remove the printhead (refer to your printer's manual for instructions).
- Clean the electrical contacts on the printhead using a lint-free cloth.
- Reseat the printhead and reinstall the ink cartridges.
- Close the access door and turn the printer back on.
4. Perform a Semi-Full Reset
This reset can clear some of the persistent issues in the printer’s system.
- While the printer is turned on, unplug the power cord from the printer.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the “#” and “6” keys on the printer's control panel simultaneously while plugging the printer back in.
- Continue holding the keys until the printer starts up and completes the reset process.
5. Update Firmware Update the firmware on an HP printer
- Check if the printer's firmware is up to date. If it isn't, outdated firmware might be causing cartridge recognition problems.
- You can update the firmware by connecting the printer to your computer and using HP's support page to download the latest firmware.
6. Check for Faulty Cartridges
- Even though the new cartridges are original HP products, there is still a chance that one of them might be faulty.
- Try reinstalling only the old cartridges (if available) to see if the printer will bypass the error. If the error clears, it’s likely one of the new cartridges is causing the issue.
7. Perform a Printhead Cleaning (via Printer Menu)
- If the error clears but print quality issues arise, you may need to perform a printhead cleaning from the printer’s control panel. This will help unclog any potential ink flow issues.
Refer to this document: HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One Printer - N911a User manual
HP OfficeJet Printers - 'Printer Failure' Error There is a problem with the printer or ink system....
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.
A_Gayathri
HP Support Community Administrator.