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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- my printer Stucks e3 error

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03-28-2025 08:04 AM - edited 03-28-2025 08:04 AM
@malik53, Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
We see that you are facing multiple issues with your HP ink tank 416.
Please follow these steps,
E3 Error
An E3 error occurs when there is a printer carriage jam.
Turn off the printer and remove any jammed paper or foreign objects blocking the carriage.
Lines on Photo Prints
This issue is likely caused by dirty printheads, misalignment, or low ink levels.
Steps to Fix:
- Check Ink Levels: If low, refill the ink tanks.
- Print a Nozzle Check Pattern to diagnose printhead issues.
- Run Printhead Cleaning:
- Open HP Smart or HP Print Assistant.
- Navigate to Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Align the Printhead:
- Open HP Smart or HP Printer Assistant.
- Go to Printer Maintenance > Align Printhead.
If the issue persists, manually clean the printhead nozzles using a soft, lint-free cloth and distilled water.
Ink Smudging/Wiping Off on Photo Paper
If the ink is wiping off the photo paper, the issue is likely due to incorrect paper settings or poor ink absorption.
Steps to Fix:
- Use the Correct Paper Setting:
- When printing, select Photo Paper in the print settings.
- Set the Print Quality to Best.
- Ensure the Correct Paper Type:
- Use HP Photo Paper (other brands may not absorb the ink well).
- Glossy photo paper should be compatible with inkjet printers.
- Allow Proper Drying Time:
- Let the printed photo dry for at least 5-10 minutes before touching it.
- Check Humidity Levels:
- High humidity can prevent ink from drying properly.
- Store photo paper in a dry place.
- Perform a Printhead Cleaning (if needed) to ensure proper ink flow.
You may refer to these documents - HP Ink Tank 310, 410 printers - Color or black ink not printing, other print quality issues | HP® Su...
>HP Ink Tank 310, 410 - Blinking lights and 'E' errors | HP® Support
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!
Max3Aj
HP Support