HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus E - New printhead necessary?

[homeofficer]

Hi,
my beloved, decades old HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus E-All-in-N911 refuses any new inserted ink cartridges as "defect".
I cleaned the printhead twice, without succes. The old empty cartridges are leastweise recognized. 

Hmmm..I would buy a new printhead (ca. 40 €), but chatgpt says, I need "setup cartridges" .
Is that really the case??
(Printhead  including setup cartriges are available for ca. 160 €.
A comparable new HP printer costs ca.  280 €...)

Thanks for your advice or comment

Ralf

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @homeofficer 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It’s frustrating when a reliable printer starts rejecting new cartridges, especially after years of good service. 

Based on HP’s official guidance, replacing the printhead may require setup cartridges, depending on the printer model and firmware.

 

What You Can Do

Try Resetting the Printer

• Unplug the printer from power.
• Hold the power button for 30 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

Check HP’s Printhead Error Guide

• HP has troubleshooting steps for printhead errors, including reseating the printhead.
• If the error persists, replacing the printhead might be necessary.

Verify Setup Cartridge Requirement

• Some HP printers require setup cartridges when replacing the printhead.
• You can check HP’s official setup guide for your model here.

Consider Cost vs. Replacement

• If setup cartridges are required, the total cost (~160€) is close to a new printer (~280€).
• If your printer is otherwise in good condition, replacing the printhead might still be worthwhile.

If you decide to replace the printhead, ensure you purchase genuine HP parts to avoid compatibility issues. Let me know if you need further guidance!

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye