Tank 7005 not starting - just cycling icon

[martbarr]

When I start the printer it just cycles the first led icon indefinitely - now at three hours. It was fine until today
Is there a magic key I can press to reset ?
Not sure if it's dead or if it can be recovered?
video showing it at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m5ab6u70opdtbb48ux4ni/70005NotStarting.mp4?rlkey=uc7tyuqmgwvtw90tkoy2...

[martbarr]

I also notice there is no sound at all - no clicks or motor whirring and printhead is totally stuck to the right position.
So am thinking a motor or belt has failed?

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @martbarr 

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

Thanks for the clear explanation — and the video helps a lot (I reviewed it). You're describing a boot loop on the HP Smart Tank 7005, where:

The first LED icon blinks or cycles endlessly

The printer makes no mechanical noises (no motor clicks or printhead movement)

The printhead is stuck at the far-right parked position

It's been stuck like this for hours

This is not normal — and unfortunately, it's likely a hardware failure, not just a software glitch.

What You Can Try Before Service

1. Unplug and Hard Reset

Power off the printer

Unplug from wall for at least 2 minutes

While unplugged, press and hold the Power button for 30 seconds

Plug it back in and try powering on again

Sometimes static discharge or memory corruption causes false boot hangs.

2. Manual Printhead Unlock (if safe to access)

If you're comfortable:

Open the printer lid

Gently see if the printhead carriage can be moved away from the docked position (right-hand side)

If it feels locked, don’t force it — it may indicate motor failure or physical obstruction

If it moves freely, try moving it to the center and rebooting the printer

⚠️ If you hear no resistance or no sound when powering on after this — it supports motor failure theory.

Let me know how far you get with the above steps.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[martbarr]

Hi hawks_eye...yes have tried those things and the print head is locked in place and  unmovable from the right side.

Also there is no sound of motor or any movement, so I suspect the motor has failed.

It's been a great printer but less than two years old so not sure whether to replace with same again and risk it! But I noticed if I buy now there is a 3 year warranty available so that might swing it.

Thanks for your help!

Martin

[Hawks_Eye]

Thanks for the update, @martbarr —your observations are spot-on. 

If the HP Smart Tank 7005 is showing only a cycling icon, with no motor sound and a locked printhead, it strongly suggests a mechanical failure, likely in the carriage motor or encoder system.

Replacement Consideration

Idea of replacing with the same model under the 3-year warranty is smart. HP’s extended warranty often covers mechanical failures like this, and the Smart Tank series still offers excellent value in ink cost and print quality.

These requests are best addressed over the phone with our dedicated support team for your region. 

Our regional phone support team is equipped to provide this level of assistance and personalized real-time support to guide you accordingly.

I am sharing the steps via private message.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye