Printhead Error

[Haileysss]

I'm having a printhead errors(BOTH BLACK AND COLOR) for my hp smart tank 6001 that I bought a year ago. I reset the printer, unplugged it, and cleaned the printhead MULTIPLE TIMES. 

Should I buy a new printhead? What's a solution for this?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Haileysss 

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

Since you've already cleaned and reset your HP Smart Tank 6001 multiple times, the next step is to try reseating the printheads and running a printhead recovery from the printer menu. If the error persists after that, replacing the printheads may be necessary.

Let’s walk through the full set of steps to give your printer the best chance at recovery before considering a replacement:

Step-by-Step: Fixing Printhead Errors on HP Smart Tank 6001

1. Power Reset (Already Done)

You’ve already unplugged and restarted the printer—thank you for doing that.

 

2. Reseat the Printheads

• Open the ink access door and wait for the carriage to stop moving.
• Gently press down on the black and color printhead latches to release them.
• Remove both printheads and inspect the copper contacts—avoid touching the nozzles.
• Reinsert the printheads firmly and close the latches until they click.
• Close the ink access door and wait for the printer to initialize.

A loose or misaligned printhead can trigger persistent errors even after cleaning.

 

3. Run Printhead Cleaning and Recovery

From the printer control panel:

• Tap the gear icon (Settings) > Printer Maintenance.
• Select Clean Printhead.
• If the error persists, go back to Printer Maintenance and select Printhead Recovery.

The recovery process is more intensive and can sometimes restore functionality even after multiple cleanings.

 

4. Update Firmware

• Visit the official HP support page for your model:
  HP Smart Tank 6001 Drivers and Firmware
• Download and install the latest firmware update for your printer.

Firmware updates can improve printhead communication and error handling.

 

5. Try a Different Power Outlet

• Plug the printer directly into a wall socket (not a surge protector or extension cord).
• Power fluctuations can occasionally cause persistent hardware errors.

 

If the Error Still Appears

If both black and color printheads continue to show errors after reseating, cleaning, and recovery, it’s likely that one or both printheads have failed.

You can purchase replacement printheads:

• Black Printhead: HP 6ZA18AE
• Tri-color Printhead: HP 6ZA17AE

These are available through HP’s parts store.

Would you like help locating a compatible printhead source in your region? I can assist with that too.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye