HP 5101

[Tonilynn830]

The K and M icons are blinking, I’ve added ink but I don’t know if it’s the print heads or the printer itself that has the issue

[Raj_05]

Hi @Tonilynn830,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

The blinking K (black) and M (magenta) icons on your HP 5101 printer generally indicate an issue with the respective cartridges or printheads. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

Check Ink Levels: Ensure that the black and magenta ink levels are adequate. Sometimes, even if you’ve added ink, there might be an issue with the ink cartridges not being recognized properly.

Reinstall Cartridges: Remove and then reinstall the black and magenta cartridges. Make sure they are seated properly in their respective slots.

Clean the Printheads:

• Turn on the printer and open the access door to reveal the cartridges.
• Remove the black and magenta cartridges.
• Use a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water to gently clean the printhead contacts.
• Allow the printheads to dry completely before reinserting the cartridges.

Printhead Cleaning Cycle: Run a printhead cleaning cycle from the printer’s control panel or through the printer software on your computer. This can help clear any clogs in the printheads.

Replace Cartridges or Printheads: If the issue persists, try replacing the black and magenta cartridges with new ones. If the problem is still not resolved, the printheads themselves might need to be replaced.

Firmware Update: Ensure that your printer firmware is up to date. Sometimes, a firmware update can resolve issues with cartridge recognition.

Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about 60 seconds.
• Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support