HP 6968 printer is not printing, was printing blank pages now getting error message. It is on wifi

[Hawkeye16]

HP6968  was "acting like it was printing" but no ink on page. Now it is not printing and I am getting error message. I have turned it off and also disconnected it, after going through "maintence" still not printing. black ink cartridge is new.

Probably not the issue, but may have something to do with canceling HP instaink service? I did  that over a year ago and it was working after that action. First attempt to use this printer after 6 months and I installed a new cartridge. 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Hawkeye16,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP 6968 printer is not printing and is now showing an error message after previously printing blank pages, several issues could be causing this problem. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

Check Error Message: Pay attention to the specific error message displayed on your printer. This message can provide important clues about the nature of the problem. Note the exact wording of the error message for further troubleshooting.

Verify Ink Cartridges:

• Ensure that the new black ink cartridge is installed correctly and that any protective tape or covers have been removed.
• Check if the ink levels for all cartridges are sufficient. Sometimes, the printer may not print if one of the color cartridges is empty, even if you're only printing in black.
• Ensure that you are using genuine HP cartridges, as some printers can be sensitive to third-party or refilled cartridges.

Run Print Head Cleaning:

• From the printer's control panel or through the HP software on your computer, run the print head cleaning utility. This can help clear any clogs that may be preventing ink from being applied to the page.
• You may need to run the cleaning cycle multiple times to see improvement.

Check for Firmware Updates:

• Visit the HP support website to check for any firmware updates available for your HP 6968 printer. Updating the firmware can resolve many issues.

Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for at least 60 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on. This can sometimes clear temporary errors.

Print a Test Page:

• Use the printer’s control panel to print a test page. This can help determine if the issue is with the printer hardware or with the connection and software.

Cancel Print Jobs:

• Sometimes, stuck print jobs in the queue can cause issues. Cancel all print jobs from the printer’s control panel and from your computer.

Check Wi-Fi Connection:

• Ensure that your printer is still connected to the Wi-Fi network. Sometimes, printers can lose connection if the network settings have changed or if the signal is weak.

Check for HP Instant Ink Issues:

• If you canceled the HP Instant Ink service, ensure that the new cartridges you are using are not part of the Instant Ink program. Instant Ink cartridges will not work if the service is canceled.
• Try using standard HP cartridges that are not associated with the Instant Ink service.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support