HP Deskjet 450

Bololoco · ‎07-16-2025

I have recently aquired a HP Deskjet 450 printer. Apparently, it's had very little use and whilst it's old, it's probably good enough for what I want, which is to print panoramic photo's. It can allegedly handle paper sizes 8 1/2" X 24", which is commendable and within the realms of my needs.

I have it attached to my windows 11 laptop via USB and it's recognised by my photo software, however, when sending out an image, nothing happens.

The LED light related to the coloured ink is flashing on the printer, which apparently means there's a problem there to be solved. The printer came with inks installed, plus a spare of each. The installed ink was clogged up, so I gave it a thorough clean but it still didn't work. I then opened up the spare (it was still sealed) and this hasn't solved the problem either.

Is there a way to reset the printer or do I need to do some more intricate cleaning?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Max3Aj · ‎07-19-2025

@Bololoco, Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It’s great to hear you’re giving the HP Deskjet 450 a second life, it's a compact and capable printer.

Based on your description, the issue seems to be related to the color ink cartridge, as indicated by the blinking LED. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

Check the Ink Cartridge Status

The blinking color ink LED typically means:

The cartridge is empty, not installed correctly, or not recognized.
The cartridge contacts may be dirty or damaged.

Try the following:

Turn off the printer and unplug it.
Open the cartridge access door and remove the color cartridge.
Inspect the cartridge for any visible damage or dried ink.
Gently clean the copper contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer using a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
Let everything dry for a few minutes, then reinsert the cartridge firmly.
Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Reset the Printer

A basic reset can sometimes clear internal errors:

Turn the printer on.
Unplug the power cord from the printer (while it’s still on).
Wait for 30 seconds.
Plug the power cord back in and turn the printer on again.

Try Printing a Test Page

To verify if the printer is functioning:

Press and hold the Power button, then press the Resume button (if available) once.
Release both buttons. This should print a self-test page.

If the test page prints, the printer hardware is likely fine.

Check Software and Driver Setup

Since you're using Windows 11, ensure the correct driver is installed:

Download the HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) from the HP Support site.
Alternatively, install the HP Smart App from the Microsoft Store and use the Diagnose & Fix tool built into the app. HP Smart

Deep Clean the Printhead (if needed)

If the ink still doesn’t flow:

Use the HP Toolbox software (if available) to run a deep cleaning cycle.
If not, you may need to manually soak the printhead in warm distilled water for a few minutes, then dry it thoroughly before reinserting.

Additional Tips

Make sure the paper size in your photo software matches the printer’s supported dimensions (e.g., 8.5" x 24").
Try printing from another application (like Word or Paint) to isolate if the issue is software-related.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping!

Max3Aj

HP Support

Bololoco · ‎07-19-2025

This did not solve my problem. Can I speak to a human being?

Max3Aj · ‎07-21-2025

Thank you for your response, @Bololoco

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.