solution Contentsolution Content

Printhead errors on HP Smart Tank printers

After you install the printheads, the printer does not prime and a Printheads missing error message displays on the printer software or HP Smart app of your HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790, 6000, 7000, 7300, or 7600 series printer. Depending on your printer, one of the following might also display.

  • Printers with touchscreens: A Printhead Problem message displays.

  • Printers without touchscreens: The Attention light and one or both Printhead icons blink.

Determine which printhead caused the error

Look at the printer display (touchscreen printers) or control panel (without touchscreen printers) to determine which printhead caused the error.

  • If the Printhead Problem error display indicates that the Tri-color printhead is not communicating or the Attention light and Tri-color printhead icon blink, the Tri-color printhead caused the error.

    Tri-color printhead icon blinking

  • If the Printhead Problem error display indicates that the Black printhead is not communicating or the Attention light and Black printhead icon blink, the Black printhead caused the error.

    Black printhead icon blinking

  • If the Printhead Problem error display indicates that both the Tri-color and Black printheads are not communicating or the Attention light and both the printhead icons blink, both the printheads caused the error.

    Both tri-color and black printhead icons blinking

Check the printheads

The printer might display an error if the printheads are not correctly installed.

Make sure the ink tanks are at least half full and paper is loaded in the input tray.

  1. Lift the ink access door, and then wait until the carriage stops.

    Lifting the ink access door

  2. Make sure the printhead cover is closed.

    • If the printhead cover is closed, continue with these steps.

    • If the printhead cover is open, push down to close it, close the ink access door, and then try to print. If the error persists, continue with these steps.

  3. Press the blue button on the printhead carriage to open the printhead cover.

    Opening the printhead cover

  4. On the printhead with the error, press down to release it, and then pull it out of its slot.

    CAUTION:

    To prevent ink from leaking, hold the printhead by its sides and keep it upright at all times.

  5. Make sure the plugs on top of the new printhead have been removed.

    Making sure plugs of the printhead have been removed

  6. Make sure that the tape from the printhead contacts has been removed.

    CAUTION:

    Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Do not replace the protective tape on the contacts. Handling these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

    Making sure that the has been removed

  7. Insert the printhead into the slot until it snaps into place.

    Inserting the printhead into the slot

  8. Repeat these steps for the other printhead, only if indicated by the Printhead icon or error message.

  9. Close the printhead cover.

    Closing the printhead cover

  10. Close the ink access door.

    Closing the ink access door

  11. Align the printheads.

    • If your printer has a touchscreen control panel, follow the control panel prompts to print an Alignment Page, and then follow the instructions on the page to align the printheads.

    • If your printer does not have a touchscreen control panel, an A blinks on the control panel and an Alignment Page prints automatically. Follow the instructions on the page to align the printheads.

Reset the printer

Reset the printer to recover from printer errors or failures.

  1. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

  2. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

  3. Wait 60 seconds.

  4. Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and to the printer.

    Note:

    HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

  5. Turn on the printer to complete the reset.

Contact HP Customer Support

If the previous steps did not resolve your issue, contact HP Customer Support for further assistance.

  1. Go to HP Customer Support - Contact.

  2. Enter your product serial number to view warranty status and to change your location, if necessary.

  3. Select a support option. If you are in Asia Pacific, you will be directed to a local service center in your area.

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics
Ask a question on our HP Support Community page
Get in touch with one of our support agents

Enter a topic to search our knowledge library

What can we help you with?