"There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off then on. If persists, contact s

[swbeck_ok]

It was out of cyan ink, I put in new cartridge then started getting this message. 

"There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off then on. If persists, contact support"

I did the steps noted by the printer, turning printer off/on, wiggling the print cartridges.  

I did not have another cyan cartridge, so I bought one, $50. Is it possible it is a bad cartridge? I really do not want to spend another $50 to find out.  This is HP Officejet 8600.  Another solution I found was replace print head.  That is over $50.  The printer is 12 years old and I do not want to that much not knowing if that will fix it.

Thanks,

Stan 

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @swbeck_ok,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

We understand how frustrating it is to see the message: "There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn the printer off, then on. If it persists, contact support." especially after replacing a cyan cartridge on your HP OfficeJet 8600, and investing in a new one. Let’s walk through the steps to help you resolve this without unnecessary expense.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

1. Reset the Printer

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug the power cord from the printer and the wall outlet.
• Wait 60 seconds.
• Plug the power cord directly into a wall outlet (not a surge protector).
• Turn the printer back on.

2. Check for Cartridge Issues

• Open the cartridge access door.
• Remove all cartridges and inspect them for leaks or damage.
• Reinsert them firmly, especially the new cyan cartridge.
• Make sure each clicks into place.

If the error persists, try removing just the cyan cartridge and powering on the printer. If the error disappears, the cartridge may be defective.

3. Inspect and Reseat the Printhead

If your printer has a removable printhead:

• Open the cartridge access door.
• Lift the latch and gently remove the printhead.
• Reinsert it, wiggle slightly left and right, and secure the latch.
• Close the door and restart the printer.

4. Update Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause ink system errors. You can update via the HP app or from the support page: 👉HP Officejet Pro 8600 Premium e-All-in-One Printer series - N911 | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[swbeck_ok]

I had tried a few of the things you mentioned.  The good news is that today I noticed the print was flashing a message to re-align the print head.  I did that and now all is well.  Thanks for responding to my plea for help.

Stan

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @swbeck_ok,

That’s wonderful news! We’re really glad to hear that re-aligning the printhead resolved the issue and your printer is now working properly again.

Printhead alignment can often correct quality or communication issues between the cartridges and the printer, so it’s great that you caught that message and followed through.

Thank you for taking the time to update us. We truly appreciate it, and we’re happy everything is back to normal. If you notice any changes in print quality in the future, keep us posted.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat