4500 flashing lights

[john728]

Whenever I want to print, a couple time a week, the printer lights are flashing.  Instructions are to  turn it off/on.  It then works fine.  

Have had no paper jams in months.

HP Officejet 4500 Wireless All-in-One Printer - G510n

[ThinkHP_Evin · Accepted solution]

Hi John728,

I would suspect that the carriage is stuck when you try to send a printjob to the printer. Below is some strobleshooting guide to the printer:-

Solution 1: Make sure that the carriage can move freely

Follow these steps to make sure that the carriage can move freely.

1. Press the Power button () to turn off the printer.
2. Open the cartridge access door.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
3. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer.
4. Unplug the power cord from the power source or electrical outlet.

    CAUTION:

   You must unplug the power cord to move the carriage by hand and reset the paper feed mechanism without the risk of electrical shock.

5. Check for any paper or object that might be stopping the carriage.
6. Remove any paper or objects you find.
7. Reach inside the printer, and then manually move the carriage.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the right side, move the carriage to the left side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the left side, move the carriage to the right side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck in the middle, move the carriage to the right.
8. Remove any paper or obstructions found.

    NOTE:

   You might need to use a flashlight to illuminate some areas.

9. Make sure that the carriage can move freely across the width of the printer by gently pushing the carriage to the left, and then to the right.
10. Close the cartridge access door.
11. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the printer.
12. Plug the power cord back into the power source or electrical outlet.
13. Press the Power button () to turn on the printer.

[ThinkHP_Evin]

Another solution you might try using:-

Solution 2:

If this does not work you might want to try using HP Print and Scan Doctor or HP Support Assistant from the link below from HP Printers - Using HP Diagnostic Tools for HP Printers in Windows:-

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02073861?jumpid=reg_r1002_usen_c-001_title_r0002

[ThinkHP_Evin]

Hi John,

Glad that I am able to resolve your printer issue.

Thanks for your continual support on HP products. 

:smileylol::smileyvery-happy:

[Cocochan]

My HYP officejet 4500 printer flasshes turn off then turn on. I cannot turn it off so I umplug if frm the back. I tried the dolutions of unplug from printer then outlet; checked an could not find any obstructions. Plugged back into the outlet and then the printer. Printer was off, I turned it on and the same flashing message appeared. What should I try next?

[ThinkHP_Evin]

1. Unplug the powerer cord from the power supply.
2. Open the cartridge access door.
3. Reach inside the printer, and then manually move the carriage.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the right side, move the carriage to the left side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the left side, move the carriage to the right side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck in the middle, move the carriage to the right.
4. Make sure that the carriage can move freely across the width of the printer by gently pushing the carriage to the left, and then to the right.
5. Close the cartridge access door.
6. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the printer.
7. Plug the power cord back into the power source or electrical outlet.
8. Press the Power button () to turn on the printer.