5100 Smart Tank Printheads related issues

[JeremyJKing]

HP Smart Tank 5100 series.  There is an error that will not resolve itself, it is the printheads related issues error. Have tried reinstalling them several times. Have already unplugged and plugged the printer back in as well.

[alberthuda]

Before I try to answer, please ask permission from all the experts in this HP printer community.

Error 5100 on HP Smart Tank printers usually indicates a printhead carriage problem—like the printhead can't move properly, is jammed, or has encountered an issue with the ink system. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

Step-by-Step Fix for 5100 Error (Smart Tank)

1. Power Cycle the Printer
Turn off the printer.
Unplug it from the power source.
Wait 60 seconds.
Plug it back in and turn it on.
This clears temporary glitches.

2. Check for Paper or Obstructions
Open the ink cartridge access door.
Look for any paper jams or debris in the printhead carriage path.
Gently move the carriage left and right by hand (if it’s stuck).
Remove anything blocking it.

3. Reseat the Printheads
Open the ink access door.
Press the latch to release the printhead carriage.
Gently lift the printheads (tri-color and black).
Reinsert them firmly until they click into place.
Close the latch and access door.

4. Check Ink Levels
Low or empty ink can trigger the 5100 error. Make sure:
All tanks have sufficient ink.
No air bubbles or clogs in the ink lines.

5. Clean the Printhead
Use the printer’s maintenance menu or do a manual clean if needed:
Go to Settings > Tools > Clean Printhead
If the error persists, you may try a deeper clean.

6. Update the Printer Firmware
Visit HP's official website to download the latest firmware for your model.

7. Factory Reset the Printer
Only do this if other steps don’t help:
Go to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Restore > Restore Factory Defaults. This will erase custom settings.

Hopefully my answer helps.