Missing or Failed Printhead

[Poohbear623]

I  am unable to use my printer as I got a pop-up message stating "Missing or Failed Printhead" which appeared midway through trying to print a MS Word Document (only received a partial printout of the document that I was trying to print). I tried turning the printer on & off to reset it and it didn't work. Then I tried unplugging the printer, then turning printer back on, but again it didn't work. I used the HP Virtual Assistant which instructed me on how to remove the printhead and clean it then reinstall it, which I did. But upon trying to get the printer to work and start printing, I received the pop-up message stating "Missing or Failed Printhead - The printhead appears to be missing, not detected, or incorrectly installed. Error code: Oxc19a0003", however the printhead is back in the printer and I believe installed correctly. Since the warranty expired, the only other assistance available is through this HP Community. Does anyone have any other suggestions on how I can fix this issue?

[greenturtle · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Thanks for using the HP Support Community.

The printhead is defective and unless it is changed together with BRAND new inks, it would not work.

Printer is more than 5 years old, do consider getting a new printer.

Hope that helps.

[kpep1734]

I've owned my HP Printer Officejet Pro 8600 for 8 years and barely print anything on it.  I'm not a student and do not work from home.  I'm not understanding how a printhead cartridge could go bad so soon.  

I've probably printed no more that 5 reams of paper through the 8 years.

[ajwanemacher]

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Barely ever print and can't do anything with the printer now. Is our printer just a piece of junk now? lol

[GHNC]

This seems to be an 8600 series issue, all of a sudden. My 8610 started doing the same thing a few days ago, and I've tried all the solutions. One minute it was working the next minute no.  I am an Instant Ink subscriber too. Seems like the 8600's have been bricked?

[RitaG2]

I have an HP 8600 All-In-One printer and suddenly have this printhead issue and it will not print.  So I bought all new cartridges and cleaned up the printhead, using tissues, rubbing alcohol, and cotton swabs.  It did appear that the previous black cartridge had leaked, so I cleaned that up thoroughly.  I use my printer frequently and the cartridge set was NOT old.  I have had the printer for about 8 years but have kept it in good shape.

Now, with the cleaned up printhead and the brand new cartridges, it STILL gives the same error (Missing or Failed Printhead), and I cannot believe this is due to anything other than a couple of paper jams when we were having a lot of rain and the humidity was high.  I'm wondering if the paper jams could have damaged the printhead.

I really don't want to have to spring for a new printer if there's any way to salvage this one.  It had been printing perfectly before this error suddenly appeared.  Help, please!

[Montana11]

My 8610 literally just did the same thing. Missing or Failed Printhead message. Does this mean I have to get a new printer or is there a solution?

[RitaG2]

This looks a whole lot like "planned obsolescence" to me.  Just like the U.S. auto industry did in the 70's, which resulted in that market being taken over by foreign cars in the 80's.  The engineers actually cause the machine to break down at a certain point in its lifetime.  The advice to get a new printer is BS when the printer was working fine the day before it met its [presumed ] end-of-life date.  I am extremely annoyed that there's no recourse... no way to order a new printhead... no live agent to talk to.  HP has really disappointed!  If I have to get a new printer, it will be a different brand, to be sure.  And I have been a loyal HP customer for 35 years.  So sad.

[Ginger35]

This problem started after an update well done hp

[Chadee]

Same issue, why would it just our of no where fail. It is a built in life cycle error that is coded in printer to force people to purchase new ones, even though I have been paying to instant ink replacement all along for 8 years. And got replaced for free only once. I could had purchased two printers by this time.