HP Deskjet 460 mobile printer power and resume lights flashing and both cartridge lights on.

[Arturo-007]

Hi, I have a HP Deskjet 460 mobile printer which when switched on the power and resume lights are flashing and both cartridge lights on. I have tried various fixes suggested online without success. I did manage to print out a diagnostic page which showed five error codes. One was 805DE531 and four 805DO074. There doesn't appear to be a paper jam nor any bits of paper stuck. Can anyone please find me a cure?

[Max3Aj]

Hi @Arturo-007, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
The error codes on your HP Deskjet 460 mobile printer suggest possible hardware-related issues, particularly with the ink cartridges or the internal print system. Since you've already tried various online fixes, let's go through a structured troubleshooting approach:

Reset the Printer

Perform a full reset:

• Turn off the printer and disconnect it from power.
• Remove the battery (if installed) and wait for 2-3 minutes.
• Plug it back in (without the battery first), then turn it on.

Check and Reinstall Ink Cartridges

Since both cartridge lights are on, there may be a problem with the cartridges.

• Open the cartridge door and remove both cartridges.
• Inspect for damage, leaks, or dirty contacts.
• Clean the gold-colored contacts on the cartridges and inside the printer with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
• Reinsert the cartridges firmly and check if the lights stop flashing.

Try a Different Cartridge

If you have spare or replacement cartridges, try inserting them to see if the issue is resolved.

Hard Reset via Button Combination

• Turn the printer off.
• Hold down the Power and Resume buttons.
• While holding them, turn the printer back on.
• Keep holding the buttons for 10-15 seconds, then release.

Check for Paper Path Obstructions

Even if no jam is visible:

• Open all accessible doors and check the paper path with a flashlight.
• Turn the printer upside down and gently shake it to dislodge any debris.

Firmware Update (If Possible)

If you can connect the printer to a Windows PC:

• Go to HP support website and check if there's a firmware update.
• Install the latest drivers and firmware to ensure the printer is functioning correctly.

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. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Arturo-007]

Hi Max3Aj,
Thanks for the info but unfortunately it wasn't successful.
Several things prevented me from carrying out everything you suggested. Firstly, when power-up has finished the cartridge head is in the 'home' position and doesn;t go to the 'change cartridge' position when the lid is opened. I overcome this by pressing the resume button several times until the print head moves and quickly unplug the power cable. This enables me to move the head manually so I can work on the cartridges.
When I hold the Resume and Power buttons down all four lights come on with the Power light orange, nothing moves and the printer will not switch off using the Power button, the power cable has to be unplugged.
One suggestion online was to manually mone the head to one end or the other depending on where it was supposedly stuck and on power-up it seemed okay with the Power light green but on opening the lid the lights showed Resume and Power flashing and both cartridge lights on as happens on normal power-up.
I can't do a Firmware Update as it will not communicate with the PC.
Hopefully this is a help for you to understand what is happening.
King regards,
Arturo-007

[Max3Aj]

Thank you for your response, @Arturo-007. 

Thanks for the detailed update! Based on your description, the issue seems to be a printhead carriage malfunction or a deeper hardware failure. Since the printer is not properly responding to button resets or firmware updates, let’s try a few more things:

Manually Free the Printhead Mechanism

Since you already tried moving the carriage manually, let’s do it more systematically:

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it.
2. Manually slide the carriage left and right several times to check for resistance.
3. Look for any obstruction (even small bits of paper, dust buildup, or dried ink).
4. Lubricate the carriage rod (where the printhead slides) using a tiny amount of sewing machine oil or silicone lubricant on a cotton swab.
5. Move the carriage back and forth a few times to distribute the lubricant.
6. Plug the printer back in and power it on.

Try an Alternate Hard Reset

Since the usual Power + Resume reset didn’t work, let’s try another method:

1. Turn off the printer and disconnect the power.
2. Hold the Power button, then reconnect the power cable while still holding it.
3. Keep holding the Power button for 15-20 seconds.
4. Release the button and see if the printer starts normally.

Clean the Encoder Strip

The encoder strip is the clear plastic strip behind the printhead that helps it track position. If it’s dirty, the printer may not recognize the printhead’s location.

1. Turn off and unplug the printer.
2. Locate the clear plastic strip running horizontally behind the carriage.
3. Gently clean it using a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher).
4. Let it dry for a few minutes before turning the printer back on.

Check for an Overheated Printhead

• If the printer was running in a hot environment, leave it powered off for an hour and try again.

Power Cycling with Battery Removal (If Applicable)

Since this is a mobile printer, try removing the battery completely (if installed) and only use AC power.

1. Unplug the power adapter.
2. Remove the battery and wait 10 minutes.
3. Reconnect the power adapter (without the battery).
4. Power on the printer.

Consider a Printhead Failure

If the carriage won’t move properly and you still get both cartridge lights on, the printhead itself might be faulty. Since firmware updating isn’t possible, replacement may be the only option.

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support

[Arturo-007]

Hi Max3Aj,

I haven't answered yet as I am waiting on a supply of IPA but as soon as I do as you suggest I get back to you.

Regards.

Arturo-007

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Arturo-007,

Please take your time and reach out whenever you need assistance, I'd be happy to help you out.

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Arturo-007]

Hi Max3Aj,

I have now cleaned everything including beneath the printhead 'home' position which I suspect the is where the problem lay.

I can now print out test and diagnostic pages from the printer keypad but the PC errors when I try to print from it. I 'removed the device' to reinstall the drivers but cannot find the drivers anywhere and the original CD does not want to play ball.

Where can I get the drivers etc.?

Kind regards,

Arturo-007

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

Hi 

Thank you for the response.

Since you’ve resolved the hardware issue and now need the drivers, you can download them directly from HP’s website. Follow these steps:

1. Download from HP’s Official Website

1. Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads.
2. Enter your printer model: HP Deskjet 460 Mobile Printer.
3. Select Windows 11 (or your OS version).
4. Download and install the full-feature driver or basic driver if the full version is unavailable.

2. Use Windows Built-in Driver

If the official drivers aren’t available, try:

1. Connect your printer via USB.
2. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Click Add a printer or scanner and let Windows search for drivers automatically.
4. If it’s not detected, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

• Download HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP’s website.
• Run it to detect and fix driver installation issues.

4. Check Windows Update

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
• Sometimes, HP drivers are available through Windows Update.

Let me know if you need further help! 😊

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Arturo-007]

Hi Kuroi-Kenshi,

Thank you for your response.

I tried all the ways you suggested and at first had no joy but after several power downs and ups and 'Add a printer' attempts everything seemed to fall into place and all is well.

Thank you and your co-support staff for all the help.

Kind regards,

Arturo-007.