Printhead damaged? No genuine replacement available

[PrinterError19]

I think the printhead is damaged because every time I insert cartridges it tells me that the cartridge is damaged or not correctly installed despite the cartridges being brand new. I cannot find any HP approved replacement printheads.. any advice appreciated. The ridiculous thing is I don't even want to print. I just want to be able to use the scanner but I can't get past the ink setup

[MysteriousMe]

Welcome to HP Support Community, @PrinterError19 

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

Troubleshooting Steps for Printhead Issues 

If you are experiencing issues while installing cartridges or suspect that the printhead may be damaged, follow these troubleshooting steps to diagnose and potentially resolve the problem.

1. Check Cartridge Compatibility & Installation

Ensure that the cartridges you are using are genuine and compatible with your specific HP printer model.

Verify that each cartridge is inserted in the correct color slot.

Remove the cartridges and reinsert them firmly to ensure proper electrical contact with the printhead.

2. Inspect for Protective Tapes

New printheads and cartridges often come with orange shipping clips or protective sealing tape.

Ensure all protective materials are removed before installing.
Leaving the tape on will prevent ink flow and cause the printer to report missing or damaged printheads.

3. Reinstall the Printhead

Carefully remove the printhead assembly.

Reinsert it into the carriage and ensure it clicks or latches into place.

A misaligned printhead is a common cause of startup and cartridge recognition errors.

4. Perform a Manual Printhead Cleaning

A dirty or clogged printhead can cause the printer to think the printhead is damaged. To manually clean it:

Power off the printer and remove the printhead.

Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water.

Gently wipe the areas where the ink contacts the printhead.

Avoid touching the electrical contacts directly.

Allow the printhead to dry completely before reinstalling.

If you need step-by-step visuals, refer to an HP “Reclaiming Printheads” or printhead cleaning procedure.

5. Reset the Printer

Performing a basic reset can sometimes clear temporary errors:

Turn off the printer.

Disconnect the power cable from both the printer and the wall outlet.

Wait for 60 seconds.

Plug it back in and power on the printer.

This can refresh internal sensors and sometimes resolves missing cartridge or printhead errors.

6. Understanding Ink Setup Requirements 

Most HP All-in-One printers require installed and recognized ink cartridges in order to complete initial setup and unlock functions such as:

Printing

Copying

Scanning (in most models)

Because the printer’s initialization relies on reading cartridge data, bypassing the ink setup is generally not possible if:

The printhead is not detected

Cartridges are not recognized

The printer is stuck in “Ink Cartridge Setup” mode

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.