Persistent error message - HP2820e

[VicLat31]

Hi, my HP2820e printer has a persistent error message on the display, a single letter E.  It appeared after I recently replaced both the colour and black ink cartridges.  Have tried resetting printer but letter E remains and unable to print any documents.  The ink cartridge light which normally comes on when a cartridge is empty is still on.  I did manage to print a document after changing the black cartridge but then the error appeared, so I changed the colour one as well, thinking it was empty, but error remains.

Any thoughts?

[Garp_senchau]

@VicLat3, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

That single flashing “E” on your HP DeskJet 2820e means the printer has detected an error condition — and since it appeared right after replacing ink cartridges, it’s almost certainly related to cartridge recognition or seating. Here’s the full set of steps to isolate and fix it:

Power Reset

With the printer on, disconnect the power cord from the back.

Wait for 60 seconds.

Reconnect the cord directly to a wall outlet (not an extension cord) and turn the printer back on.

See if the E clears — if not, continue.

Reseat Cartridges

Open the cartridge access door and wait for the carriage to move to the center.

Remove both cartridges.

Check the copper-colored contacts for any ink, tape residue, or fingerprints. If dirty, gently wipe them with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water and let them dry completely.

Reinsert the black cartridge first, then the tri-color cartridge until each clicks firmly into place.

Close the lid and wait about 30 seconds for the printer to realign.

Run a Self-Test

Print a self-test page or a print quality page

Reference: HP DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900 Printers - Printing self-test pages | HP® Support

If the printer responds or prints a test page, that means the cartridges are now recognized.

Isolate Faulty Cartridge

If the E still shows, try inserting one cartridge at a time:

Install only the black → power on.

Then only the color → power on.

The one that keeps the “E” active is likely the problem cartridge. Replace it.

Update Printer Firmware (Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support)

• Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page. Enter your printer model number and search for the latest firmware update. Follow the instructions to download and install the firmware update.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[VicLat31]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I have tried all the various steps you suggested but the E is still visible on the display (constant, not flashing) and the light indicating to change a cartridge is on.  I haven't been able to print a test page.

I did notice when trying your suggested procedure to only load the black cartridge and then to only load the colour cartridge, the E disappeared for both, but the single digit indicating number of pages to print which normally displays '0' when idle was now displaying a flashing rotating pattern, using only the outer edges of the digit, like a car or object running round in circles.  This happened with both cartridges loaded separately and continued indefinitely until I switched off the mains power at the wall.  When I put both cartridges back in, black first, then the colour one, the digit returned to displaying '0' as normal but the E has re-appeared.  After this I pressed the black print page button, the digit changed to '1' but the E remains and the change cartridge light is now flashing rather than being constant.  Nothing further happened.  I powered off, waited at least 30 seconds, powered on and did the same exercise with the colour print page button, with the same result.

When it first went wrong, I had just installed a fresh black cartridge and successfully printed four copies of the same document, then it stopped and I was able to print one information page, titled 'Printer Information Report' which advised me that the 'printer was not connected to the Internet. Printer cannot print except for printer reports. Reconnect the printer to the internet to reenable printing'.  I checked my household router and other devices connected to it and all seemed okay.

The Printer Information Report also said to press and hold for 3 seconds the Information button for more info on connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network but, which I've just tried but because the E is there and the cartridge light is on, it's not printing anything.

I've also checked the firmware situation but the website indicated that my printer is up to date.

Any thoughts on what to do next please?

[Garp_senchau · Accepted solution]

Hi @VicLat31,

Thank you for your response

Thank you for the detailed update — that helps a lot. Based on what you’ve described, the solid “E” combined with the cartridge indicator light (now flashing) confirms that the printer is detecting a cartridge-related error rather than a network or firmware issue. Since you’ve already completed a full power reset, reseating, and firmware check, this next set of steps focuses on reinitializing the cartridge system and verifying cartridge integrity.

Please try the following steps in order:

Perform a Hard Reset with Cartridges Removed

With the printer powered on, open the cartridge access door.

Remove both cartridges.

Unplug the power cord from the printer (leave it unplugged from the wall as well).

Wait for 2 minutes.

While the printer is unplugged, press and hold the Power button for 30 seconds to drain residual power.

Reconnect the power cord directly to a wall outlet (avoid power strips).

Power the printer on without cartridges installed — the display should now show a blinking “E” or a cartridge missing indicator.

This confirms the printer logic board is functioning.

Clean Electrical Contacts Again (Deep Clean)

Power off the printer.

On each cartridge, gently wipe the copper-colored contacts with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (70%).

Do the same for the contacts inside the carriage (the area where the cartridges connect).

Allow everything to air dry completely (about 10 minutes).

Reinsert Cartridges One by One

Power on the printer.

Insert the black cartridge only → close the access door.

If the “E” disappears and you see the rotating pattern again, that means the printer can communicate with the black cartridge.

Remove the black, then insert the color cartridge alone and check the behavior.

If both work separately but not together, it usually means one of the cartridges (most often the newer one) has an internal short or electrical mismatch.

Try a Known-Good or Older Cartridge (if available)

If you have a previous working cartridge (even if low on ink), insert it temporarily to test.

If the “E” disappears and you can print a test page, the issue is confirmed to be the new cartridge.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[VicLat31]

Hi

Thanks for your further reply.

I'm pleased to report that following the additional steps you suggested I was able to identify that the black cartridge was the problem and having replaced it with a new one, and put back in the recently installed new colour cartridge, the printer has printed alignment pages for both which I've scanned in, the 'E' has now disappeared from the display and we appear to be back in business.

Many thanks again for your help.

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @VicLat31, 

Thanks for letting us help you out! If you're all set, please mark this post as 'Accepted Solution' so I can do a virtual happy dance! 

If you need anything else, I'm all ears (or rather, all text). Just let me know! 

You're awesome, and I'm honored to have been your go-to guide today! 

Stay fantastic, and have an amazing day ahead! 

Regards,