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HP Recommended
hp officejetpro 6968
Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit)

my printer is displaying there is a problem with the printhead. please help.

1 REPLY 1
HP Recommended

@eippay

 

Welcome to HP support community.

 

Reset the printer.

  1. Turn the printer on, if it is not already on.

  2. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.

  3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

  4. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

  5. Wait at least 60 seconds.

  6. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

    NOTE: 

    HP recommends connecting the printer power cord directly to the wall outlet.

  7. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

  8. Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.

  9. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you proceed.

Clean the ink cartridge vents and contacts

  1. Gather the following materials:

    • A pin to clean any clogged vents

    • A clean, lint-free cloth

    • A clean, dry cotton swab

    • Distilled or bottled water

         CAUTION: 

      Do not use tap water because it might contain contaminants that might damage the printhead.

  2. Examine the vent area located on top of the ink cartridge, next to the HP logo.Image: Example of the venta area.

  3. If any of the ink cartridges have clogged vents, use a pin to clean the vents.

    Figure : Example of a clogged vent

    Image: Example of a clogged vent.

    Figure : Example of a clean vent

    Image: Example of a clean vent.
  4. Lightly dampen a fresh, lint-free cloth.

  5. Wipe any accumulated ink and debris on the copper-colored contact on the ink cartridge.

       CAUTION: 

    Be careful to wipe only the ink cartridge contacts. Do not smear any ink or debris elsewhere on the ink cartridge.

    1. Ink cartridge contacts

  6. Wipe the contact with a dry, lint-free cloth.

  7. Repeat the steps to clean each ink cartridge contact.

  8. Lightly dampen a lint-free swab.

  9. Wipe any accumulated ink and debris on the copper-colored contact on the printhead.

    Image: Example of the copper-colored contacts on the printhead

  10. Wipe the contact with a dry, lint-free swab.

  11. Reinsert each of the ink cartridges into its slot, and then push the ink cartridge forward and down until it snaps into place.

    Make sure each colored dot on the ink cartridge label matches the colored dot on the carriage.

    Image: Snapping the ink cartridge into place

  12. Run your finger along the top of the ink cartridges to make sure none of them protrude.

    If any ink cartridges protrude, press down firmly until each ink cartridge snaps into place.

  13. Close the ink cartridge access door.

  14. Check the printer control panel display for the error message.

    • If the message is to Replace the, or Ink Cartridge, remove the specified ink cartridge(s) and clean the copper-colored contact again, and then reinsert the ink cartridge(s).

Update the printer firmware

  1. Make sure the printer is on and connected to the computer through your local network or USB cable.

  2. Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads.

  3. If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, click Printer.

  4. Type your printer model number, and then click Submit.

    The software results page for your printer displays with the default operating system selected.

  5. If you need to change the version of Windows, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.

  6. Click Firmware, and then click Download.

    If a Firmware section is not listed, an update is not currently available for your printer.

  7. Save the file to your computer.

  8. Locate and then open the file to start the installation process.

  9. When the HP Printer Update window opens, see if the printer serial number displays.

    • If the serial number displays, select the checkbox next to it, and then click Update.

    • If the serial number displays but the status is 'not applicable' (grayed out), you do not need the firmware update. Click Cancel.

    • If the serial number does not display and your printer uses a network connection, connect a USB cable to the printer and computer. Wait 20 seconds, and then click Refresh. When the serial number displays, select the checkbox next to it, and then click Update.

     The HP Printer Update utility window showing a serial number selected for an HP OfficeJet 4650 and an activity bar showing that the update is in progress.

  10. When the update completes, click OK.

  11. If you connected a USB cable to update your network printer, remove the USB driver installed by Windows.

    1. Search Windows for control panel, and then click Control Panel in the results.

    2. Click View Devices and printers.

    3. Right-click the USB printer device that matches your printer model, and then select Remove Device.

    4. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer and the computer, and then restart the computer.

You can refer this HP document for more assistance:- Click here

 

Let me know how it goes.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

Sandytechy20
I am an HP Employee

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.