Printer will not print and is flashing K indicator after replacing cartridge

[jpearson0525]

Chat has dropped me twice, so I'm hopeful this time will work.  Have HP OJ 8100 for many years,  moved it to my beach home and take it out twice a year for work in April-May and Sept-Oct.  Has work perfectly.  Took the printer and set it up on Oct 17th for this years work at the beach.  Everything looked fine, except the printer wanted me to replace the K cartridge (no ink).   Replaced the K cartridge and the printer indicated the cartridge was FULL, and after a very short time, the "K" indicator started flashing and the printer won't print.  I have tried RESETing it , RESTORING to factory setting, reseatting all of the cartridges in the printer (4), and reseating the print head unit.  I have check for paper jams, the there is enough paper, and nothing helps.  When I go onto the printer via the Web access to the console, it indicate the Printer Needs Attention and the PRINTER FAILED.  It lists the K, M,  C and Y cartridges are HP brand.  The C is low.   The K, M, Y indicates are on and don't flash.  The on button and the other indicates don't flash.  I can display the ink levels in the browser interface and they are correct,    If I try to print the self test page, I get "The printer is busy. Try again later. Click "OK" to go back."  Can't find out what the printer is doing.   Tried to clean the heads - Printer Busy try later".   Tried to align heads - "printer busy try later."

IT will not print. Each print job just stack up in the queue.  The active entry get "ERROR" and stalls the printing.  Pausing and Restarting the printing cycles back to the same status.   To finally check if it is hardware, I put the K cartridge back into the printer. All error went away.  K is just empty.  Still Can't Print.  UNLESS SOMEONE KNOWS how to print and ignore the error messages.  I'm currently DOWN at a remote locations and need a solution fast.   I have read and read most of the articles on the HP Blog site, none of they address this issue or have provided any help.    Jim

[Raj_05]

Hi @jpearson0525,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like your HP Officejet Pro 8100 ePrinter is stuck in a hardware loop that isn't allowing it to properly register the new cartridge and is throwing it into a "busy" state. Given the steps you've already taken (replacing the cartridges, resetting, checking for jams, etc.), let's try a few additional things that may help get the printer functioning again.

Perform a Semi-Full Reset: A semi-full reset can sometimes resolve persistent hardware or firmware issues:

• Power off the printer.
• Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer and from the wall outlet.
• Wait for 60 seconds.
• Press and hold the power button on the printer for 10-15 seconds while it's unplugged (this discharges any remaining power).
• Reconnect the power cord and turn the printer back on.

Update Printer Firmware: Sometimes, replacing a cartridge can trigger issues if the printer firmware is out of date.

• Go to the HP Support website and search for your model (HP Officejet Pro 8100).
• Download and install the latest firmware update. If your printer is networked, you can also access firmware updates directly through the printer’s Web interface.

Run Printer Without the Web Console: The web console might not fully reveal the issue. Connect the printer to your computer via USB, bypassing the network connection to see if the same error occurs. If you’re able to print a test page this way, the issue could be network or driver-related rather than hardware.

Check Ink Cartridge Authenticity: Even if the printer shows that HP brand cartridges are installed, sometimes aftermarket cartridges, or even genuine HP cartridges that were left unused for a long time, might cause issues.

• Ensure that the black cartridge is indeed a compatible and genuine HP cartridge.
• Clean the copper contacts on the cartridges with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure they are making proper contact inside the printer.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor: If you're able to connect to a Windows computer, try running the HP Print and Scan Doctor to diagnose the issue. It can often identify errors not visible through the Web interface.

Bypass Ink Cartridge Error (if hardware check fails): If you are in a situation where you must print, and the issue is persistent with no ink or hardware-related error resolution, you might consider using the printer in "single-cartridge" mode by temporarily removing other cartridges. The printer should still print in black if only the black cartridge is installed. If the printer recognizes the K cartridge as full but refuses to print, this method might bypass the error.

Hard Reset of the Printer: If all else fails, try performing a full hard reset:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Open the printer lid and remove all the ink cartridges.
• Close the lid without the cartridges, plug the printer back in, and turn it on.
• After the printer prompts you to install the cartridges, insert them one by one.

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!

Alden4

HP Support 

[jpearson0525]

To Alden4,

Attached are the original query and your responses. I have inserted my comments in your
response to help tie the conversations together.

Jim Pearson

Original Query on Problem - 10-18-2024, 12:43 pm by Jim Pearson

Subject: Re: Printer will not print and is flashing K indicator after replacing cartridge

Product: HP Officejet Pro 8100 ePrinter - N811a/N811d
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11

Chat has dropped me twice, so I'm hopeful this time will work.
Have HP OJ 8100 for many years, moved it to my beach home and
take it out twice a year for work in April-May and Sept-Oct.
Has work perfectly. Took the printer and set it up on Oct 17th for
this years work at the beach. Everything looked fine, except the printer
wanted me to replace the K cartridge (no ink). Replaced the K cartridge
and the printer indicated the cartridge was FULL, and after a very short
time, the "K" indicator started flashing and the printer won't print.
I have tried RESETing it , RESTORING to factory setting, reseatting all
of the cartridges in the printer (4), and reseating the print head unit.
I have check for paper jams, the there is enough paper, and nothing helps.
When I go onto the printer via the Web access to the console, it indicate the
Printer Needs Attention and the PRINTER FAILED. It lists the K, M, C and Y
cartridges are HP brand. The C is low. The K, M, Y indicates are on and
don't flash. The on button and the other indicates don't flash. I can display
the ink levels in the browser interface and they are correct, If I try to
print the self test page, I get "The printer is busy. Try again later.
Click "OK" to go back." Can't find out what the printer is doing.
Tried to clean the heads - Printer Busy try later". Tried to align heads -
"printer busy try later."

IT will not print. Each print job just stack up in the queue.
The active entry get "ERROR" and stalls the printing. Pausing and Restarting
the printing cycles back to the same status. To finally check if it is
hardware, I put the K cartridge back into the printer. All error went away.
K is just empty. Still Can't Print. UNLESS SOMEONE KNOWS how to print and
ignore the error messages. I'm currently DOWN at a remote locations and
need a solution fast. I have read and read most of the articles on the HP
Blog site, none of they address this issue or have provided any help.
Jim

Response on 10-19-2024, 3:08 pm

Jim's responses are highlighted by JIM>>> and end with <<<

Subject: Re: Printer will not print and is flashing K indicator after replacing cartridge

Hi @jpearson0525, Welcome to HP Support Community. Thank you for posting your query,
I will be glad to help you. It sounds like your HP Officejet Pro 8100 ePrinter is
stuck in a hardware loop that isn't allowing it to properly register the new cartridge
and is throwing it into a "busy" state.

Given the steps you've already taken (replacing the cartridges, resetting,
checking for jams, etc.), let's try a few additional things that may help
get the printer functioning again. Perform a Semi-Full Reset:

A semi-full reset can sometimes resolve persistent hardware or firmware issues:
Power off the printer. I retired the sequences as follows: 1) Ensured the printer
ON and quiet, 2) unplug the power cable from printer, 3) unplug the power cable
power strip, 4) unpluged the ethernet cable, 5) counted to 60, 6) pressed the ON
button for a count of 15 (my counts very close to 1 second), 7) reattached the power
cable to the printer, 😎 the display lit up and the printer powered up, 9) the
initial display as an outline of the ink levels with solid letters below each of the
four columns, 10) the "ePrint" led and Power led flashed about every second, 11) finally
the "K" started flashing and all of the ink levels stayed at 1 bar, 12) shortly later
turned solid on, and 13) reconnect the ethernet cable. NO INPROVEMENT.
<<<
JIM>>>As a EE, I'm very curious about the need to unplug the cable from the power
source when it is not connected to the printer. Any comments?<<<

JIM>>> One extra note, only a few times did installing the new cartridge result in a
display of a full cartridge (3 bars) and the flashing K. The other times, all of the
cartridges displayed ONE bar instead of 3 and the K indicate flashed. Minor difference,
but a difference.<<<

Update Printer Firmware: Sometimes, replacing
a cartridge can trigger issues if the printer firmware is out of date.
Go to the HP Support website and search for your model (HP Officejet Pro 8100).
Download and install the latest firmware update. If your printer is networked,
you can also access firmware updates directly through the printer’s Web interface.
JIM>>>I am networked via ethernet. However, the web interface does not have an
area or command related to firmware updates. I have checked the HP website for
the 8100 and they also have NO FIRMWARE updates or any mention of how to do an
update. I have downloaded all of the possible items from HP: Full HP OfficeJet
Pro 8100 ePrinter series-N811 Full Feature Software ad Driver (V28.1.1323 - Dec 8, 2021);
HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 ePrinter series - N811 Basic Driver - (V28.1.1323 - Dec 8, 2021);
and HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows (V5.7.4.009 - Mar 5, 2024).
I have reinstall the full package and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor.

All the HP Print and Scan Doctor reports is : the presents of the HP OJ 8100; select 8100
click on NEXT; Don't set to default; help it logon to printer as admin; wait follow steps in
progress -> check printer offline -> HP Doctor has installed some updates and requires a
PC restart. (Interesting since I just updated and rebuilt the drivers and software.) Restarted
computer. Back up and HP Doctor restarts it's activities. So I click on "continue". Reenter the
admin password. Now I'm at the point of "Everything checks out OK with your product." Suggests
I print a Test Print. Click on Test Print. Note this is still in the same state it has been
for several days. It's still BUSY. (as seen via the web interface.) Can not evaluate any print.
SO click on "NO PRINT". It's now suggesting the Test Print should be an INTERNAL test page.
Is this different from the standard test page? Try it. Page printed created, but not print.
Clicked on NO. Now we are back to power cycling the printer by pulling the cord. Did as HP Doctor
requested. NO EFFECT - printer is still hung and busy.

As I have said before, a lot of the web UI features result in a message that the printer is
busy and try again later.
<<<

Run Printer Without the Web Console: The web console might not fully reveal
the issue. Connect the printer to your computer via USB, bypassing the network
connection to see if the same error occurs. If you’re able to print a test
page this way, the issue could be network or driver-related rather than
hardware.

Jim>>>I am not able to test a USB connection. I don't have with me a USB A to USB B type cable.
I've been using a straight ethernet connection with web. Suggestions of other non WEB based
management? Does the printer support TELNET and is it enabled?
<<<

Check Ink Cartridge Authenticity: Even if the printer shows that
HP brand cartridges are installed, sometimes aftermarket cartridges,
or even genuine HP cartridges that were left unused for a long time,
might cause issues. Ensure that the black cartridge is indeed a
compatible and genuine HP cartridge.

Jim>>>The black cartridge is a HP 950XL Black (CN045AN)
warranty ends: 2025/11 and has a QR code for encoding: 39222560350786306,MY,231127063092,CN045-30005
as a manufacturing mark. There is also another QR code on the back which translates into the
first part of the longer QR code up to the ",".
The printer itself indicates the cartridge are all HP previously used cartridges.
The replacement cartridge is labeled HP, come from an HP packaging and was sealed. The packaging
indicates manufactured in Malaysia and expires Nov 2025, so it should be GOOD. I suspect the
reason the web interface says "HP previously used" is because of the number of times, I have
uninstalled and reinstalled the cartridge.
<<<

Clean the copper contacts on
the cartridges with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure they are making
proper contact inside the printer.

Jim>>> I have cleaned the contact on the back of each cartridge (M, C, Y, K) and the
contacts in the print head assembly for each cartridge. I have also cleaned the contact
on the back of the print head and the contact in the printer where the print head would be pressed
against to connect to the printer. NO EFFECT.<<<

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor: If you're
able to connect to a Windows computer, try running the HP Print and Scan
Doctor to diagnose the issue. It can often identify errors not visible
through the Web interface.
JIM>>> Have tried the HP Print Scan Doctor for the printer, no effect.
<<<

Bypass Ink Cartridge Error (if hardware check fails):
If you are in a situation where you must print, and the
issue is persistent with no ink or hardware-related error resolution,
you might consider using the printer in "single-cartridge" mode by
temporarily removing other cartridges. The printer should still print
in black if only the black cartridge is installed. If the printer
recognizes the K cartridge as full but refuses to print, this
method might bypass the error.
JIM>>> This is an interesting approach. I did remove all 4 cartridges. All 4 indicators
flashed. Replaced the Black cartridge (new one). K was solid. One at a time, installed the other
3 cartridges. All cartridges were low, cyan was the worst, so I installed it LAST. Well, Well.
The black K indicator stayed ON and didn't flash. If I take out the Cyan and reinstall it, the
C is solid and the K starts flashing. Went back and removed all four, and installed the K, M, Y, C
in the order, all cartridge indicators are ON solid. But will not print.
<<<

JIM<<<During all of this resetting etc, I lost the ability to login as admin. Tried every
suggestions for the password: empty field and "admin" and a few I wrote down a while ago and
this week. Nothing worked and all of the reset sequences did not reset the admin password. Tried
the unplug, 60 seconds, press ON for 15 seconds to drain current, replug in cord. and several other
sequences. Nothing worked. I finally read to try "press Power and the "X" (cancel) button for
15 seconds. Well Well, it worked, the admin password was finally reset.
Still no printing, but I'm connected as admin to the EWS.<<<

Hard Reset of the Printer: If all else fails, try performing a full hard reset:
Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source. Open the printer lid and remove
all the ink cartridges. Close the lid without the cartridges, plug the
printer back in, and turn it on. After the printer prompts you to install
the cartridges, insert them one by one.
JIM>>> Interesting HARD RESET. Turned off printer with power button, unpluged printer from
power, unpluged ethernet cable, removed all cartridges, --> Cant do this, the cartridge
are not exposed. Powered unit back up, the cartridges popped up. Removed all cartridges,
closed back hinged lid, then closed front hinged panel. Unpluged power cable. Waited several minutes.
Reconnected the power cable, left the ethernet un-connected for now, powered printer back on.
The display looks like you would suppect: empty columns for each cartridge with the icons flashing
(all four and wireless flashing.) Checked the EWS interface. The sequence did something.
It appears the wireless is not-configured and the ethernet is still not connected. Connecting
it now. The Wireless indicater stopped flashing. The printer appears to be back on line using
the old IP address 10.0.0.53. The hostname, IP adderss/mask, DNS addresses, nothing seemed to
be reset to factory.
Assume the flashing M, C, Y, and K indicates flashing indicates replace the cartridges.
Opening up the front and back flaps, the print head advanced to be able access the cartridge slots.
Inserted the K, M, Y, and C cartridges. This left the K indicater flashing. So opened front
panel and remove K and C. Closed front and K and C flashed. Reopened the front, inserted the
new/full K cartridge and closed panel. K did not show full, but did not flash. Reopened front panel,
inserted the C cartridge (the next lowest cartridge, all of the indicates are solid on, but
seem to indicate partially filled (1 bar), not true. The EWS indicates unter estimated ink levels
that the K should be replaced, but the printer does not. I can move around in EWS much easier -
no printer is busy try later. BUT if I do a printer self test page I get "The printer is busy.
Try again later." Still can't print.
<<<

JIM>> Conclusion, interesting that your no cartridge restart and power cycle with reload of the
cartridges in the K, M, Y, C order does create a situation where K is on solid. But no printing.

SUGGESTIONS?? It's a $ 459 printer with 2 full xl cartridges at $ 58.89 and $ 26.59 (Black and Cyan).

<<<<<

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! Alden4 HP Support

[Raj_05]

Hi @jpearson0525,

Thank you for your response, 

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Alden4

HP Support