There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off, then on.

[Jeff453]

I have an HP Officejet Pro 8600 Premium. 

It has been a great printer until today when it noted the following;

Printer Failure:  There is a problem with the printer or ink system.  Turn printer off, then on.  If problem persists, contact HP.

I've done the power cycle bit (both via on/off & unplug) and tried to contact HP which is how I got routed "here".

I recently installed a non-HP ink cartridge.  I've been using this same non-HP cartridge brand for several years without issue.

I'm considering getting a single HP cartridge from my local office supply store to see if the recently replaced cartridge is defective in some way.

Thoughts on a solution?  Thanks.

[Raj_05]

Hi @Jeff453,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

The error you're seeing, "Printer Failure: There is a problem with the printer or ink system," is commonly associated with ink cartridges, printhead issues, or internal hardware malfunctions. Since you've been using non-HP cartridges for a while without issues, the timing of this error following the installation of a new cartridge suggests the cartridge may be the cause.

Here are a few troubleshooting steps to help resolve this.

Check the Cartridges:

• Re-seat the Cartridges: Remove all the cartridges, inspect them for damage or ink leakage, and reinsert them securely. Sometimes a cartridge may not be seated correctly.
• Clean the Cartridge Contacts: Gently clean the electrical contacts on both the ink cartridges and inside the printer using a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water. Make sure everything is dry before reinserting the cartridges.

Inspect the Printhead:

• The OfficeJet Pro 8600 has a removable printhead. If you've never cleaned it, residue buildup might be causing issues.
• Remove and Clean the Printhead: Turn off the printer, remove the ink cartridges, and carefully remove the printhead. Clean the printhead contacts with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water. Let it dry completely before reinstalling it.

Test with Genuine HP Cartridges:

• While you've used the non-HP brand successfully in the past, sometimes firmware updates or cartridge defects can cause errors.
• Install a Genuine HP Cartridge: As you mentioned, buying a single genuine HP cartridge is a good idea to test if the issue is due to the non-HP cartridge.

Check for Firmware Updates:

• Sometimes printers release firmware updates that affect how cartridges are recognized. Check if your printer has any available updates via the printer’s control panel or HP’s website.

Reset the Printer:

• Try performing a full reset on the printer. This sometimes clears persistent errors:
  • Unplug the printer while it's on.
  • Wait for about 60 seconds.
  • Plug it back in and turn it on.

Factory Reset (if needed):

• As a last resort, you can try performing a factory reset on the printer to restore its default settings. This might help in clearing any software glitch related to the ink system. You can find this option in the printer's settings menu.

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 

[Jeff453]

Tried all your steps and bought HP cartridge.  Error changed to cartridge error.  Apparently the print head failed.  I gave the printer away to someone who needed a spare for parts.  Thanks.

[Raj_05]

Hi @Jeff453,

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