"The printhead appears to be missing, not detected, or incorrectly installed" - an error message dis

[PeterH1956]

I have a reliable, at least until today, HP6700 printer which now wont work and has given me this message....

"The printhead appears to be missing, not detected, or incorrectly installed" - an error message displays on the printer control panel or computer, indicating an ink system failure. 

How do I remove the ink carrier to expose the printer head without creating a major task as I think it just needs a clean?

I have powered the unit off which makes no difference to the problem

[Sneha_01 · Accepted solution]

Hi @PeterH1956 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

The error message you're seeing indicates that the printer is having trouble detecting the printhead. Here’s how to safely remove the ink cartridge and access the printhead for cleaning:

Step 1: Power Off the Printer

• Ensure the printer is turned off and unplugged from the power source.

Step 2: Access the Ink Cartridges

1. Open the Printer Cover: Lift the printer's top cover to expose the ink cartridges.
2. Wait for the Carriage to Move: When you power it back on, wait for the ink carriage to move to the center for easy access. If it doesn't move, gently push it to the center.

Step 3: Remove the Ink Cartridges

1. Press Down on the Ink Cartridge Latches: Gently press down on the latch of each ink cartridge to release it. Carefully remove the cartridges and set them aside.

Step 4: Remove the Printhead

1. Locate the Printhead Release Lever: Look for a lever or latch near the printhead assembly. This may vary by model but is typically a small lever on the side.
2. Lift the Lever: Gently lift the lever to release the printhead from its position.
3. Remove the Printhead: Carefully pull the printhead straight out of the carriage.

Step 5: Clean the Printhead

1. Use a Lint-Free Cloth: Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Gently wipe the electrical contacts on the printhead and the carriage to remove any residue.
2. Soak the Nozzles: If the nozzles are clogged, you can soak the printhead in warm distilled water for about 10-15 minutes. Ensure that the electrical contacts don’t touch the water.

Step 6: Reassemble the Printer

1. Reinsert the Printhead: Once clean, carefully reinsert the printhead back into the carriage.
2. Secure the Printhead: Lower the release lever to secure the printhead in place.
3. Reinsert the Ink Cartridges: Place the cartridges back into their respective slots until they click into place.

Step 7: Power On and Test

• Plug the printer back in and power it on. Run a printer alignment or test print from the control panel to ensure everything is working properly.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[PeterH1956]

Thanks for getting back to me.

I've cleaned the head as recommended but the error still persists so replacement or scrapping the printer are my only options.

Many thanks 

Peter