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HP Officejet Pro 276dw Multifunction Printer Series - A 'Problem with Ink System' Error Message Displays on the Control Panel or Computer During Setup

Issue

A 'Problem with Ink System' error message displays on the control panel or computer, and the printer will not print.
Example error message on the printer control panel
Example error message on the computer
Problem with Ink System
Problem with Ink System
Remove cartridges and inspect for leaks. Do not use leaky cartridges. Re-install cartridges if okay.
Please remove the ink cartridges and examine them for any sign of leaks. If any cartridges have leaks, contact HP. Do not use cartridges that are leaking. If there are no leaks, re-install cartridges and close the printer cover. Turn the printer off then on again. If you get this message a second time, contact HP.
Try the following solutions in the order presented to resolve the issue. When one of the solutions resolves the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.

Solution one: Check the cartridges for leaks

Important: To avoid startup failures at initial printer setup or when replacing a printhead, use the SETUP cartridges that came with the printer or replacement printhead.
If you have a defective cartridge or printhead, it might be under warranty. To check the warranty on your ink or toner supplies, go to Printer and Page Yield Overview, and then review the limited warranty information for your supplies.
  1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
  2. Slip your fingers into the slot on the left side of the printer, and then pull forward to open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the left side of the printer. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before proceeding.
      Figure : Open the cartridge access door
      Image: Open the cartridge access door.
    1. Slot on the left side of the printer
  3. Press the front of the first cartridge to release it, and then pull it out of the carriage.
    Figure : Press to release the cartridge
    Image: Press to release the cartridge.
  4. Check the cartridge for leaking ink. Be careful not to get ink on your skin or clothing.
    • If the cartridge is leaking, replace the cartridge.
    • If the cartridge is not leaking, continue to the next step.
    note:
    If you see a small amount of ink on the ring where the ink exits the cartridge, the cartridge is not leaking.
  5. Slide the cartridge back into its color-coded slot, and then gently push it forward until it clicks into place.
    Figure : Insert the cartridge into its color-coded slot
    Image: Insert the cartridge into its color-coded slot.
  6. Repeat these steps to check the other cartridges for leaking ink.
  7. Close the cartridge access door.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Solution two: Reset the printer

Follow these steps to reset the printing mechanism.
  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.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Solution three: Remove and then reinsert the printhead

The 'Problem with Ink System' error message is sometimes caused by poor electrical contact between the printhead and the printer. Removing and reinserting the printhead can help. Follow these steps in the order presented to remove, and then reinsert the printhead.

Step one: Remove the printhead

  1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on. Wait until the warm-up period finishes and your printer is idle and silent before you proceed.
  2. Place your fingers into the slot on the left side of the printer, and then pull to open the cartridge access door. Allow the carriage to move to the cartridge access area, and the carriage stops moving.
    Figure : The slot on the side of the printer
    Image: The slot on the side of the printer.
  3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer. Unplugging the printer prevents the carriage from moving.
      warning:
    You must disconnect the power cord before reaching inside the printer to avoid risk of injuries or electric shock.
  4. Lift the carriage latch.
    Figure : Lift the carriage latch
    Image: Lift the carriage latch.
  5. Grasp the sides of the printhead, gently lift and remove the printhead from the carriage.
    note:
    Do not remove the cartridges from the printhead. You can safely remove the printhead with all of the cartridges inserted.
    Figure : Remove the printhead
    Image: Remove the printhead.
      caution:
    The nozzle area on the bottom of the printhead is fragile! Make sure that the bottom of the printhead does not bump or rub on the printer. Do not touch the nozzles or electrical contacts. Touching these areas can cause electrical failures or print quality problems.
      Figure : Nozzles and electrical contacts
      Image: Nozzles and electrical contacts
    1. Nozzles
    2. Electrical contacts
  6. Place the printhead assembly (with the cartridges still installed) upside down on a clean sheet of paper.
      caution:
    Do not leave the printhead assembly outside of the printer for an extended period. Doing so can result in damage to the printhead or the printer.
    Figure : Printhead upside down on a clean sheet of paper
    Image: Printhead upside down on a clean sheet of paper.

Step two: Inspect the carriage path where the printhead sits

Inside the printer, look for and remove any obstructions from the printhead compartment. If necessary, use a flashlight to thoroughly check for any obstructions.
Figure : Check for paper jammed in the carriage path
Image: Check for paper jammed in the carriage path

Step three: Insert the printhead, and then lower the carriage latch

  1. Grasp the sides of the printhead and turn it right side up with the nozzles facing down and the electrical contacts facing away from you.
  2. On the front of the printer, insert the printhead into the carriage, ensuring that the electrical contacts face the inside of the printer. As you guide the printhead into the carriage, it lowers into the carriage as it seats.
      caution:
    The nozzle area on the bottom of the printhead is fragile! Make sure that the bottom of the printhead does not bump or rub on the printer. Do not touch the nozzles or electrical contacts. Touching these areas can cause electrical failures or print quality problems.
    Figure : Insert the printhead
    Image: Insert the printhead.
  3. Gently rock the printhead to the left and right to make sure that the printhead fully seats in the carriage.
  4. Carefully lower the carriage latch to secure the printhead.
    Figure : Lower the carriage latch
    Image: Lower the carriage latch.
  5. Verify that the carriage latch is down.
      Figure : Carriage latch positions
      Image: Carriage latch positions.
    1. Carriage latch is up
    2. Carriage latch is down
  6. Close the cartridge access door.
  7. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
  8. If the printer does not turn on by itself, press the Power button to turn it on.
    note:
    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.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, skip to the step to clean the printhead.
  • If the issue persists, see the next step.

Step four: Reseat the printhead up to three times

Sometimes error messages persist after inserting the printhead. To clear any error messages, reseat the printhead up to three times.
Example error messages on the printer control panel
Problem with Ink System
Missing or failed printhead
Ink System Failure
Printer Failure
Carriage Jam
  • If these steps resolved the error message, continue with the next step.
  • If the error message persists, skip to the next solution.

Step five: Use the automated tool to clean the printhead

  1. Load unused, plain white paper into the input tray.
  2. On the printer control panel, touch the Right Arrow () to display additional options.
  3. Touch Setup (), touch Tools, and then touch Clean Printhead.
  4. Wait until the printhead cleaning sequence completes and the report prints.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Solution four: Replace the printhead

If you have completed all of the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing a problem, replace the printhead.
  caution:
Wait until you have a new printhead assembly available before removing the cartridges. HP recommends that you do not leave the cartridges outside the printer longer than 30 minutes. This could damage both the printer and the cartridges.
If you have a defective cartridge or printhead, it might be under warranty. To check the warranty on your ink or toner supplies, go to Printer and Page Yield Overview, and then review the limited warranty information for your supplies.
  1. Go to HP Parts Store.
    If you are in Asia Pacific, the site directs you to a service center in your area.
  2. Search for your printhead number.
    • In the United States, type CR322A.
    • For the rest of the world, type CR324A.
  3. Follow the instructions to order the printhead assembly.
When you have the replacement printhead, click here for detailed instructions to remove the old printhead and install the new one.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.

Solution five: Service the printer

Service or replace your HP product if the issue persists after completing all the preceding steps.
Go to Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a product repair or replacement. If you are in Asia Pacific, you will be directed to a local service center in your area.
To confirm your warranty status, go to HP Product Warranty Check. Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty products.

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