I have an smart tank 520 and only send a white paper and fail on E3

[Niley71]

my printer only sends a white paper and shows E3 error when i try to print

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Niley71 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how frustrating it must be to see your Smart Tank 520 feed out blank pages and show the E3 error after you’ve already tried printing. 

You’ve been patient, and we’ll work through this together to bring the printer back to proper operation.

What the E3 error indicates

On the Smart Tank series, an E3 error usually points to a carriage jam or movement issue. Since you’re also seeing blank pages, it suggests the print mechanism isn’t engaging correctly.

Step‑by‑step actions to resolve

1. Power reset

• Turn off the printer and unplug the power cord.
• Wait at least 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and power on.

2. Check for carriage obstructions

• Open the ink access door.
• Gently move the carriage (where the printheads sit) side to side.
• Remove any paper scraps, packing material, or dust buildup.
• Ensure the carriage moves freely without resistance.

3. Reseat the printheads

• Unlock the printhead latch.
• Remove both printheads and check for protective tape or debris.
• Reinsert them firmly and lock the latch.
• Close the access door.

4. Inspect paper path

• Remove all paper from the tray.
• Check inside the printer for jammed or curled sheets.
• Reload fresh paper, making sure it’s aligned properly.

5. Run alignment and test print

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Align Printheads.
• After alignment, try printing a test page.

6. Update firmware

• Visit the support page for your model:
  HP Smart Tank 520 Printer – Software and Drivers
• Download and install the latest firmware update.
• Restart the printer after installation.

The E3 error combined with blank pages points to a carriage or printhead seating issue. By resetting power, clearing obstructions, reseating the printheads, and updating firmware, you should restore normal printing.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye