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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- printer won't allow 'access door' to be opened for empty ca...

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10-30-2017 06:24 PM
Dear HP Community,
Please advise me on how to resolve the following printer 'system' problem.
< BACKGROUND >
1. Bought this 'all-in-one' at Office Depot 400 days ago (August 2016).
2. Used with both Mac (OS9) and PC (XP) computers, primarily for 'scanning'.
3. Since new, has only printed about 100 B&W pages and 20 color pages.
4. At power-up today (1st time in months), Error Message #1 appeared:
"Cartridges Depleted - CMY - Depleted cartridges must be replaced
to resume printing."
5. So, followed "User Guide" steps for replacing depleted cartridges, with
first two steps being: "Turn on printer" & "Open cartridge access door".
< PROBLEM >
6. PRINTER WON'T ALLOW "ACCESS DOOR" TO BE OPENED!
At each attempt, door can only be opened 1/4" (from its closed
position) before printer: a) makes tuneful "Uh-Oh!" sound; b) restricts
further door movement; & c) Error Message #2 appears:
"Door Open: The cover or door must be closed to continue. Check that
it is completely closed. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the cartridges,
keep the door closed whenever possible."
7. If 'video icon' option offered by the "Error Message #1" screen is
selected, no video is shown and Error Message #1 again appears;
if screen's other ("Hide") option is selected, printer's "main menu
(copy, scan, photo, fax)" choices appear - but printer repeats its
actions (described in "6." above) when any attempt is made to open
the access door.
< RESOLUTION? >
It is hoped that you experts might share with me a 'simple' & 'cost
effective' solution to said problem - given that this is an "HP" (highest
quality) product in 'like-new' condition (despite its OEM 1-yr product
warranty having expired). It would be a great disappointment if the
only solution is "Take it to your nearest authorized HP Service Center
for "out-of-warranty" repair"!
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Sincerely,
My-oh-my
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
10-31-2017 05:59 PM - edited 11-01-2017 07:29 AM
@My-oh-my
Welcome to the HP Forums. I would be happy to help you with your HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Printer. I understand that you are getting access door open error and you have already done some preliminary troubleshooting.
Don't worry though as I have a few steps to determine the issue and find a solution as well.
Close the cartridge door completely.
Check the cartridge door for obstructions.
Reset the product.
ress the Power button (
) to turn on the product.
Disconnect the USB cable from the back of the product.
Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Disconnect the power cord from the product.
Wait 30 seconds.
Reconnect the power cord to the electrical outlet.
Reconnect the power cord to the product.
Press the Power button (
) to turn on the product.
Click here and refer the document for further assistance.
Let me know how it goes.
Cheers.
Sandytechy20
I am an HP Employee
10-31-2017 05:59 PM - edited 11-01-2017 07:29 AM
@My-oh-my
Welcome to the HP Forums. I would be happy to help you with your HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Printer. I understand that you are getting access door open error and you have already done some preliminary troubleshooting.
Don't worry though as I have a few steps to determine the issue and find a solution as well.
Close the cartridge door completely.
Check the cartridge door for obstructions.
Reset the product.
ress the Power button (
) to turn on the product.
Disconnect the USB cable from the back of the product.
Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Disconnect the power cord from the product.
Wait 30 seconds.
Reconnect the power cord to the electrical outlet.
Reconnect the power cord to the product.
Press the Power button (
) to turn on the product.
Click here and refer the document for further assistance.
Let me know how it goes.
Cheers.
Sandytechy20
I am an HP Employee
10-31-2017 11:34 PM
Dear HP Expert 'sandytechy20',
Thank you so much for sharing with me your 'simple' & 'cost effective'
"product reset" solution (that I had sought) to my "printer-locked
'access door' problem"!
Things looked bad at first, despite my having followed your 3 step
(10 task) instructions, when I once again tried (after many attempts
yesterday) to open the access door. Alas, the door still could only be
opened 1/4" before the printer repeated its "a), b), & c)" actions
(described in paragraph "6" of my original 'post') and restricted it
from further opening.
Doom & despair descended, for I had earlier visited your "Click here"
link and read that (should "product reset" fail to solve the problem)
the only other option was the dreaded "Step four: Service the product"
solution!
But then, at wits end, I exasperatingly spoke aloud to the product
and said "Oh my! Wait!!! HP Expert 'sandytechy20' said that 'you are
to release the door now'!!" And - with that - like a miracle - the printer
responded by quickly progressively loosening and withdrawing its
electro-mechanical grip, thus finally allowing the access door to be
fully opened and me to remove its empty ink cartridges.
While obviously overjoyed by the outcome, the experience has left me
with a less than "warm & fuzzy" feeling about this "HAL 9000"-like
product. Thank goodness that it obeyed your command - 'this time' . . .
Sincerely,
My-oh-my
11-01-2017 07:31 AM
Thanks for the reply.
I appreciate your time and effort.
Good to know that issue is resolved.
Feel free to contact us in feature if you need any assistance.
Cheers.
Sandytechy20
I am an HP Employee
12-27-2019 04:29 PM
Thank you for posting in this thread. Unfortunately based on when the last response was made, I have closed this thread to help keep comments current and up to date. We recommend starting a new thread for your issue.
To be more helpful with your post, you can add key information if you desire:
1. Product Name and Number (please do not post Serial Number)
• Example: HP Pavilion DV2-1209AX or HP Deskjet 3000 Printer CH393A
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