HP 8600 : Printer Failure: There is a problem with the printer or ink system SOLVED

[vima1]

Ok, cannot add to existing thread, so opening as a new question to help others trying to troubleshoot this issue on an out of warranty printer, which may still be completely functional if able reset!

Error message:

"Printer Failure
There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off, then on. If problem persists, contact HP."

What happened:

I had just replaced the yellow ink cartridge.

After doing so, and the printer was trying to calibrate, it was making a horrible crunching sound, it eventually threw up the above error.

Turns out there was a paper jammed to the far right of the inside of printer, over where the print head sits. I located and removed the piece of paper, but could do nothing to reset the issue. Unplugging, powering off for some time, factory reset... nothing would make this error go away or give me any other options.

I was seriously about to order a new printer, but having just spent $68 on two new ink cartridges, was extremely upset about having to replace when it seemed like nothing should really be wrong with the printer.  Has been an excellent device, no complaints, until this issue!

I even tried removing all the cartridges and the print head to see if that would reset, with no luck.  Tried this multiple times, but would still get the above error.

What FINALLY worked, was removing the print head and cartridges, then putting them all back in one by one, saving the most recently replaced cartridge for last.

Fortunately, I had not thrown out the 'depleted' yellow cartridge yet, that the new one was replacing, as this step seemed to provide the actual reset.

1)  I put the head in empty first, printer error told me no cartridges..
2)  Added black cartridge, printer error said color cartridges missing.. 
3)  one by one... added cyan.. printer error missing magenta and yellow..
4) added magenta... printer error missing yellow...
5) installed old EMPTY yellow cartridge.. printer error said cartridge depleted...
6) removed and put in new yellow... message that came up now said it was 'Used Cartridge',
               but then it went ahead with 'Preparing Printer'... and PRINTED!!!

HP.. apparently your software was holding my printer ransom after the paper jam put the print head into a weird state.  😞

There should be a better 'reset' to restore the printer head/ink system without this hassle and your software essentially bricking a perfectly good printer. EXCELLENT product otherwise.. I am very happy that I was able to resolve this issue myself, no matter. 🙂

Hope this helps someone else, who encounters this issue! 

[KrazyToad]

@vima1

Welcome to HP Community

I have gone through your Post, I appreciate all your efforts and expertise in troubleshooting this issue and I'm glad you got this sorted out

Just to avoid future issues, ensure your printer has the latest Firmware. Link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c02919168

Drop us a message anytime you need help

Thank you ☺️

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" on this Post and it will also help other community members with similar issue.