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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- Unknown Printer Error

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12-29-2018 11:45 AM
I am unsure why, but for some reason my printer is giving me an error but is not giving any explanation as to what the problem is.
The only thing it says is: "There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off, then on. If problem persists, contact HP."
I don't know where to contact HP, but turning on and off the printer didn't fix the problem. The inks are full, too.
Thank you for any assistance.
12-30-2018 06:51 PM
Welcome to HP forums, I see that you are getting ink system failure error.
Clean the ink cartridges, and then check the error message.
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Gather the following materials:
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A clean, lint-free cloth
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A clean, dry cotton swab
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Distilled or bottled water
CAUTION:
Do not use tap water because it might contain contaminants that can damage the printhead.
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Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with bottled or distilled water.
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Gently wipe the copper-colored contact on one of the ink cartridges.
Figure : Wiping the copper-colored contact
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Wipe the contact with a dry, lint-free cloth before proceeding to the next step.
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Repeat these steps for the three remaining ink cartridges.
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Carefully reinsert one of the ink cartridges into its slot, and then push the ink cartridge forward until it clicks into place.
Figure : Reinserting the ink cartridge
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Make sure each colored dot on the ink cartridge label matches the colored dot on the print carriage.
Figure : Matching the colored dot on the print carriage
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Close the ink cartridge access door.
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Check the printer control panel to see if the error message persists.
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If the message is to Replace the
,
,
, or
Ink Cartridge, remove the specified ink cartridge(s) and clean the copper-colored contact again, and then reinsert the ink cartridge(s).
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Update the printer firmware.
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Make sure the printer is on and connected to the computer through your local network or USB cable.
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If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, click Printer.
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Type your printer model number, and then click Submit.
The software results page for your printer displays with the default operating system selected.
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If you need to change the version of Windows, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.
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Click Firmware, and then click Download.
If a Firmware section is not listed, an update is not currently available for your printer.
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Save the file to your computer.
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Locate and then open the file to start the installation process.
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When the HP Printer Update window opens, see if the printer serial number displays.
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If the serial number displays, select the checkbox next to it, and then click Update.
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If the serial number displays but the status is 'not applicable' (grayed out), you do not need the firmware update. Click Cancel.
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If the serial number does not display and your printer uses a network connection, connect a USB cable to the printer and computer. Wait 20 seconds, and then click Refresh. When the serial number displays, select the checkbox next to it, and then click Update.
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When the update completes, click OK.
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If you connected a USB cable to update your network printer, remove the USB driver installed by Windows.
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Search Windows for control panel, and then click Control Panel in the results.
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Click View Devices and printers.
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Right-click the USB printer device that matches your printer model, and then select Remove Device.
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Disconnect the USB cable from the printer and the computer, and then restart the computer.
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You can refer to this HP document for more steps to fix this issue:- Click here
Let me know how it goes.
To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.
Cheers.
Sandytechy20
I am an HP Employee