HP Smart tank 7001 keeps telling giving me a print head error, new printer, new print heads.

[JimBeamBlack]

 THIS is very strange because this same thing happens to one of our smart tank printers at work (a 650 series), and ONLY slamming the printer carriage access door shut fixes it!!

 When I first got the error I thought my BRAND NEW printer heads were damaged, so I just ordered another set, at $70 freaking dollars, Well, they worked about a month before it started happening again.

 So I was telling a guy at work and he said "Did you try slamming the print head/carriage door shut?" I told him I hadn't tried that yet but didn't think that was the solution....  BUT IT WAS!!

I went home that night and tried taking the heads out and reinserting them, and was about to call HP and get a refund and got mad, and lightly slammed the top down....AND IT WORKED!! The error went away and the printer printed the documents I NEEDED!

However, after a period of sitting (or not being used a lot) the printer does it again, and again firmly closing the carriage access door solves it for a while.

Does anyone have any idea WHY this happens?  Why does the printer falsely claim that the printer heads are bad when they aren't, and then work again after smacking it around like an old Ford truck? The guy at work claims he's been doing this for 3 years now.....

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @JimBeamBlack,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

This sounds like a classic sensor misalignment or poor electrical contact issue with the print head carriage. Here’s why your HP Smart Tank 7001 (and your work's 650 series) keeps falsely detecting a print head error:

Loose Print Head Contact

• The print head connectors might not be fully seated or are slightly misaligned.
• Over time, oxidation or dust can interfere with the electrical contacts.
• When you slam the access door, the force re-seats the connectors, temporarily fixing the issue.

Fix:

• Remove the print heads and clean the gold contact points with a lint-free cloth & isopropyl alcohol.
• Reinsert them firmly until you hear a click.

Carriage Position Sensor Issue

• Some HP printers have a small position sensor that detects whether the print heads are installed correctly.
• If this sensor is misaligned or failing, it randomly reports a print head error.
• Slamming the door could be temporarily jarring it back into place.

Fix:

• Try manually moving the print carriage left and right (with the printer off) to check for any resistance or misalignment.

Faulty or Weak Printer Lid Sensor

• Many HP printers have a small switch or sensor that detects whether the print carriage door is fully closed.
• If this sensor is slightly misaligned or failing, the printer might not register that the door is properly shut.
• Slamming it forces the sensor to engage correctly, allowing printing to resume.

Fix:

• Try pressing gently but firmly on the printer lid instead of slamming.
• If that works, the issue is with the lid sensor—you may need a technician to adjust it.

• Check for a firmware update on HP’s support website.
• Try resetting the printer to factory settings.

Your coworker’s “solution” works because physical force temporarily re-seats loose components or re-engages a faulty sensor. But long-term, you may want to inspect & clean the print head contacts, check the carriage movement, and update the firmware to prevent this from happening repeatedly.

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,

[JimBeamBlack]

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@Kuroi_Kenshi wrote:

Hi @JimBeamBlack,

This sounds like a classic sensor misalignment or poor electrical contact issue with the print head carriage. Here’s why your HP Smart Tank 7001 (and your work's 650 series) keeps falsely detecting a print head error:

Loose Print Head Contact

• The print head connectors might not be fully seated or are slightly misaligned.
• Over time, oxidation or dust can interfere with the electrical contacts.
• When you slam the access door, the force re-seats the connectors, temporarily fixing the issue.

Fix:

• Remove the print heads and clean the gold contact points with a lint-free cloth & isopropyl alcohol.
• Reinsert them firmly until you hear a click.

Carriage Position Sensor Issue

• Some HP printers have a small position sensor that detects whether the print heads are installed correctly.
• If this sensor is misaligned or failing, it randomly reports a print head error.
• Slamming the door could be temporarily jarring it back into place.

Fix:

• Try manually moving the print carriage left and right (with the printer off) to check for any resistance or misalignment.

Faulty or Weak Printer Lid Sensor

• Many HP printers have a small switch or sensor that detects whether the print carriage door is fully closed.
• If this sensor is slightly misaligned or failing, the printer might not register that the door is properly shut.
• Slamming it forces the sensor to engage correctly, allowing printing to resume.

Fix:

• Try pressing gently but firmly on the printer lid instead of slamming.
• If that works, the issue is with the lid sensor—you may need a technician to adjust it.

• Check for a firmware update on HP’s support website.
• Try resetting the printer to factory settings.

Your coworker’s “solution” works because physical force temporarily re-seats loose components or re-engages a faulty sensor. But long-term, you may want to inspect & clean the print head contacts, check the carriage movement, and update the firmware to prevent this from happening repeatedly.

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,

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Humm, that sounds like it MIGHT be the issue!!

 I will investigate that today and see if this works. 

Thanks for the reply/soultion Kuroi_Kenshi, I will let you know if this is the issue. 

RC

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[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @JimBeamBlack,

Take your time and let me know how it goes! I'll be right here if you need any further assistance. 😊

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,