printhead

[slampk001]

I changed my ink cartridge and now I get this error message The printhead appears to be missing , not detected of incorrectly installed.   I don't believe i need a printhead but I 'm not sure now.  I have restarted it, cut if off for a day , reinstalled the cartridge, cleaned it but it keeps coming back..  i have had the printer for 2 yrs

[A4Apollo]

Hey there! @slampk001, Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'm glad to assist you today.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Please share the printer model name to assist you better.

Try updating the printer firmware and check if it helps.

Update the printer firmware using this link. Click Here

Please try the steps recommended below.

Sometimes error messages persist after inserting the printhead. To clear any error messages, reseat the printhead by repeating all steps in this solution up to three times

Clean the ink cartridge contacts, and then check the error message

Remove the ink cartridges, and then check the error message

Resetting the printer can reset the connection with the printhead and clear any error messages. 

1. Turn the printer on, if it is not already on. 

2. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.

3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

4. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

5. Wait at least 60 seconds.

6. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

   note:

HP recommends connecting the printer power cord directly to the wall outlet.

7. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

8. Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.

The printer might go through a warm-up period. The printer lights might flash, and the carriage might move. 

9. Wait until the warm-up period finishes and your printer is idle and silent before you proceed.

Refer this article to further troubleshoot printhead issues with your printer. Click Here

If the issue still persists after trying out the steps, it is a hardware issue with the printer.

Please contact HP support for service options. Click Here

I'll keep an eye out for your response.

I hope you have a great day!

Please click “Accept as 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!

[HIuser3]

I am also having a problem with my HP Officejet (2015) printer, error printhead missing not installed etc. I followed the link you provided to: 'Printhead Problem' Error and read that page. Now my question is, how is one supposed to update firmware when the printer will not do anything and still just has the printhead error no matter what steps taken and followed? In other words, how can you update the firmware if you cannot get into the menu on your printer?

[A4Apollo]

@HIuser3,

It certainly sounds like a hardware issue with the printer and there is nothing much we can do in this situation.

Please contact HP support for service options. Click Here

Take Care!

[HIuser3]

I had successfully printed two test pages after setting up my HP OfficeJet 7612 to my newer HP notebook and my wireless router. After my two printed test pages I went to HP Support Assistant added my printer and HP Support Assistant recommended downloads for my printer that were installed and after the installed downloads is when my printer began this printhead error. 

[A4Apollo]

@HIuser3,

I understand your concern. If the printer is still under warranty you can get the printer fixed for free.

Please contact HP support more assistance. Click Here

Take Care! 🙂

[HIuser3]

Re: printhead. My printer is fixed. I did not have a 'hardware issue. You may like to see this HP commuinty post. Re: "Printhead missing or not detected" error OfficeJet 7612, https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Inkjet-Printing/OfficeJet-7612-Master-Reset/td-p/6625764

[HIuser3]

Wow, thanks so much for the instructions on the hold down hit Home button once, hit Return/back button once, hit the Home button twice. After I did this something came up too quickly for me to read as the printer went into sort of a reset of sorts but I did see these partial readouts. Something as to, cartridges and then something said the alignment. After those came up quickly the printer then showed the normal screen Copy, Fax, Apps on the touch pad of the printer. I will have to add I did unplug my printer from the wall power outlet and then unplugged the power cord from the back of the printer and then held down the power button for 45 seconds to discharge any left charge and left it this way for a day and a half. Then today when I went to try my printer again with these instruction (shown above) I plugged the power cord to the printer into the wall power outlet and then while plugging in the power cord to the back of the printer at the same time I held down the X (cancel) button then quickly after that I did the press Home button once, press Return button once and then press the Home button again twice. To my total surprise and happiness I now had my printer back. I got the printhead error for no reason and had no faults or was changing out cartridges or anything so maybe HP had me on a timer in the firmware to have caused me problems? I hope this will help others as it helped me saved me $300 - $400 to have to buy a new printer and may I add that was not going to be a HP printer this time around.

[HIuser3]

Sorry for the double reply I tried to edit the one above but was not getting the edit option when clinking on the dots. Wow, thanks so much for the instructions on the hold down hit Home button once, hit Return/back button once, hit the Home button twice. After I did this something came up too quickly for me to read as the printer went into sort of a reset of sorts but I did see these partial readouts. Something as to, cartridges and then something said the alignment. After those came up quickly the printer then showed the normal screen Copy, Fax, Apps on the touch pad of the printer. I will have to add I did unplug my printer from the wall power outlet and then unplugged the power cord from the back of the printer and then held down the power button for 45 seconds to discharge any left charge and left it this way for a day and a half. Then today when I went to try my printer again with these instruction (shown above) I plugged the power cord to the printer into the wall power outlet and then while plugging in the power cord to the back of the printer at the same time I held down the X (cancel) button then quickly after that I did the press Home button once, press Return button once and then press the Home button again twice. To my total surprise and happiness I now had my printer back. I got the printhead error for no reason and had no faults or was changing out cartridges or anything so maybe HP had me on a timer in the firmware to have caused me problems? I hope this will help others as it helped me saved me $300 - $400 to have to buy a new printer and may I add that was not going to be a HP printer this time around.

[A4Apollo]

@HIuser3,

I'm glad to know your issue got resolved now.

If you have any queries in future related to any HP products, you can always reach out to us.

We will try our best to help you out.

Take care,
Have a great day! 🙂