HP Deskjet Printers - Blinking Lights

1. Check the rear of the printer to make sure that the cord from the power supply is inserted securely into the power connection.
2. Check the power supply to make sure that the power cord is plugged in securely.
3. Check the electrical outlet to make sure that the power cord is plugged in securely.
   Figure : Check the electrical connections
   
   1. Rear of printer
   2. Power supply
   3. Electrical outlet
4. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

• If the printer turns on, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
• If the printer does not turn on, continue to the next solution.

1. Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
2. Plug another appliance into the electrical outlet to make sure that the outlet works.

• If the electrical outlet does not work, plug the printer into another outlet that does work.
• If the electrical outlet works, but the printer still does not turn on, continue to the next solution.

note:

To make sure that your printer and power supply are compatible, HP suggests you use the original power supply shipped with your printer.

1. Make sure that the voltage and amperage specifications printed on the power supply match the voltage and amperage specifications printed on the HP printer.

   Voltage and amperage specifications printed on the power supply	Voltage and amperage requirements printed on the HP printer
   In this example, the voltage (+32 V) and the amperage (2000 mA) from the power supply are compatible with the voltage and amperage specified on the HP printer.

2. If the voltage and amperage specifications of the printer and the power supply are compatible, make sure that the connector on the power cord is the same shape and size as the connector on the HP printer.

     warning:

   Do not force an incompatible power cord (its plug has a different shape or size than the HP printer's electrical connection) into an HP printer.

   • If the power cord is not compatible with the printer, replace the power cord with a compatible cord. To buy a compatible cord, go to the following link, How to Buy HP.
   • If the power cord is compatible with the printer, but the printer still does not turn on, continue to the next solution.

• If the printer turns on with the alternate power cord, the original power cord caused the issue. Contact HP to replace the power cord. Go to the following link, How to Buy HP, to buy a compatible power cord.
• If the printer does not turn on with the alternate power cord, continue to the next solution.

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

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

note:

The cartridge ink levels are also displayed on the control panel's LCD.

1. Open the HP printer software:
   • Windows 8
     On the Start screen, click or tap the printer's tile. The software opens.

     note:

     You can also open the HP software by clicking or tapping the printer's icon on the desktop ().

   • Windows 7
     Click Start (), click All Programs, click HP, click the folder for your HP printer, and then click the icon for your HP printer ().
   • Windows Vista
     Click Start (), click Programs, click HP, click the folder for your HP printer, and then click the icon for your HP printer ().
   • Windows XP
     Click Start (), click All Programs, click HP, click the folder for your HP printer, and then click the icon for your HP printer ().
   • OS X v10.9, v10.8, and v10.7
     Click Macintosh HD, click Applications, and then double-click Hewlett-Packard.

   note:

   You can also open the HP printer software from your computer desktop by double-clicking the icon for your HP printer ().

   The printer software opens.
2. In the printer software, click Estimated Ink Levels, and the toolbox window opens.
   The HP Toolbox opens a graphic that shows the estimated ink levels for your printer.
   Figure : The estimated ink levels graphic

   
3. If the estimated ink levels are low, and you are satisfied with the quality of your printouts, ignore the light(s) until you are dissatisfied with the printouts.
   If the estimated ink levels are low, and you are dissatisfied with the quality of your printouts, replace the cartridges. Continue to the next solution.

note:

If both cartridge lights are blinking, complete the steps for both cartridges.

1. Gather the following items:
   • Distilled water (use bottled or filtered water if distilled water is not available)
   • Clean cotton swabs or any soft, lint-free material that will not stick to the cartridges (coffee filters work well)
2. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves into the center of the access area, unless there is an obstruction.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
   Figure : The carriage in the center of the printer

   
3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
4. Press down on one of the cartridges to release it, and then pull it out from its slot.
   Figure : Remove the cartridge

   

     caution:

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

   Figure : Do not touch the contacts or nozzles

   
5. If protective tape is still on the cartridge, remove it. Do not remove the copper-colored strip.
   Figure : Remove the protective tape

   
   If you removed the protective tape from the cartridge, there is no need to clean the cartridge. Continue to the step to reinstall the cartridge.
6. Place the cartridge on a piece of paper with the nozzle plate facing up.
7. Dip a cotton swab into the clean distilled water, and then squeeze it to remove most of the moisture. The swab should be only slightly damp.
8. Clean the cartridge contacts.

     caution:

   Avoid touching the nozzles.

   Figure : Clean the cartridge contacts

   

   note:

   Clean the contacts quickly so that the cartridge is not outside the printer for more than 30 minutes. The ink can dry and clog the nozzles if the cartridge is outside of the printer for too long.

9. Clean the contacts in the carriage for the problem cartridge.

     warning:

   Make sure that the power cord is disconnected from the printer.

   Figure : Carriage

   Figure : The gold-colored contacts in the carriage

10. Wait ten minutes to allow the cartridge and carriage to dry.
11. Place the cartridge in its slot at a slightly upward angle, and then press up and forward until the cartridge snaps into position.
    • The tri-color cartridge () goes in the slot on the left.
    • The black cartridge () goes in the slot on the right.
    Figure : Insert the cartridge into its slot

    
12. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
13. Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door

    

1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer. If the printer does not turn off, continue to the next solution.
2. Wait 60 seconds.
3. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

   note:

   The printer might go through a warm-up period, which might last several minutes. Wait until the warm-up period completes before you continue.

1. Raise the input tray.
   Figure : Raise the input tray

   
2. Lower the output tray.
   Figure : Lower the output tray

   
3. Pull out the tray extender.
   Figure : Pull out the tray extender

   
4. Slide the paper width guide to its outermost position.
   Figure : Slide the paper width guide to its outermost position

   
5. Load a stack of U.S. letter or A4 size paper into the input tray, with the short edge first and the print side facing toward you. Slide the stack of paper in until it stops.
   Figure : Load paper

   
6. Slide the paper width guide in until it rests against the edge of the paper.
   Figure : Slide in the paper width guide

   

1. Press the power button to turn off the printer.
2. Wait 60 seconds.
3. Press the power button to turn the printer on.

   note:

   The printer might go through a warm-up period. The printer lights might flash and the carriage might move. Wait until the warm-up period finishes before proceeding.

4. Attempt to scan an item.

1. Connect one end of the USB cable to the printer, and then connect the other end to a USB port on your computer.
   Figure : Example USB connection

   
2. Attempt to start a print job.

1. Close the cartridge access door.
   Figure : Close the cartridge access door

   
2. Check the printer control panel for the blinking lights.

note:

If both cartridge lights are blinking, complete the steps for both cartridges.

1. Gather the following items:
   • Distilled water (use bottled or filtered water if distilled water is not available)
   • Clean cotton swabs or any soft, lint-free material that will not stick to the cartridges (coffee filters work well)
2. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves into the center of the access area, unless there is an obstruction.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
   Figure : The carriage in the center of the printer

   
3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
4. Press down on one of the cartridges to release it, and then pull it out from its slot.
   Figure : Remove the cartridge

   

     caution:

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

   Figure : Do not touch the contacts or nozzles

   
5. If protective tape is still on the cartridge, remove it. Do not remove the copper-colored strip.
   Figure : Remove the protective tape

   
   If you removed the protective tape from the cartridge, there is no need to clean the cartridge. Continue to the step to reinstall the cartridge.
6. Place the cartridge on a piece of paper with the nozzle plate facing up.
7. Dip a cotton swab into the clean distilled water, and then squeeze it to remove most of the moisture. The swab should be only slightly damp.
8. Clean the cartridge contacts.

     caution:

   Avoid touching the nozzles.

   Figure : Clean the cartridge contacts

   

   note:

   Clean the contacts quickly so that the cartridge is not outside the printer for more than 30 minutes. The ink can dry and clog the nozzles if the cartridge is outside of the printer for too long.

9. Clean the contacts in the carriage for the problem cartridge.

     warning:

   Make sure that the power cord is disconnected from the printer.

   Figure : Carriage

   Figure : The gold-colored contacts in the carriage

10. Wait ten minutes to allow the cartridge and carriage to dry.
11. Place the cartridge in its slot at a slightly upward angle, and then press up and forward until the cartridge snaps into position.
    • The tri-color cartridge () goes in the slot on the left.
    • The black cartridge () goes in the slot on the right.
    Figure : Insert the cartridge into its slot

    
12. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
13. Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door

    

1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer. If the printer does not turn off, continue to the next solution.
2. Wait 60 seconds.
3. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

   note:

   The printer might go through a warm-up period, which might last several minutes. Wait until the warm-up period completes before you continue.

1. Turn on the printer, and open the cartridge access door.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
2. The cartridge carriage moves to the center.

   note:

   If cartridge access door is open longer than five minutes, the cartridge carriage returns to its normal operating position.

3. Using a flashlight if necessary, verify that the black or tri-color cartridge is missing.
4. Install the missing cartridge.
   Figure : Insert the cartridge into its slot

   
   Figure : Snap the cartridge into place

   
5. Close the cartridge access door.
   Figure : Close the cartridge access door

   
6. An alignment page prints.

1. Lift the scanner lid.
2. Place the alignment page with the print side down on the right-front corner of the scanner glass. See the engraved guide next to the scanner glass for help loading the alignment page.
   Figure : Place the alignment page on the scanner glass

   
3. Close the scanner lid.
4. Press the Scan button () to begin the scan. The printer automatically aligns the cartridges.

note:

If both cartridge lights are blinking, complete the steps for both cartridges.

1. Gather the following items:
   • Distilled water (use bottled or filtered water if distilled water is not available)
   • Clean cotton swabs or any soft, lint-free material that will not stick to the cartridges (coffee filters work well)
2. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves into the center of the access area, unless there is an obstruction.
   Figure : Open the cartridge access door

   
   Figure : The carriage in the center of the printer

   
3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
4. Press down on one of the cartridges to release it, and then pull it out from its slot.
   Figure : Remove the cartridge

   

     caution:

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

   Figure : Do not touch the contacts or nozzles

   
5. If protective tape is still on the cartridge, remove it. Do not remove the copper-colored strip.
   Figure : Remove the protective tape

   
   If you removed the protective tape from the cartridge, there is no need to clean the cartridge. Continue to the step to reinstall the cartridge.
6. Place the cartridge on a piece of paper with the nozzle plate facing up.
7. Dip a cotton swab into the clean distilled water, and then squeeze it to remove most of the moisture. The swab should be only slightly damp.
8. Clean the cartridge contacts.

     caution:

   Avoid touching the nozzles.

   Figure : Clean the cartridge contacts

   

   note:

   Clean the contacts quickly so that the cartridge is not outside the printer for more than 30 minutes. The ink can dry and clog the nozzles if the cartridge is outside of the printer for too long.

9. Clean the contacts in the carriage for the problem cartridge.

     warning:

   Make sure that the power cord is disconnected from the printer.

   Figure : Carriage

   Figure : The gold-colored contacts in the carriage

10. Wait ten minutes to allow the cartridge and carriage to dry.
11. Place the cartridge in its slot at a slightly upward angle, and then press up and forward until the cartridge snaps into position.
    • The tri-color cartridge () goes in the slot on the left.
    • The black cartridge () goes in the slot on the right.
    Figure : Insert the cartridge into its slot

    
12. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
13. Close the cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the cartridge access door

    

1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer. If the printer does not turn off, continue to the next solution.
2. Wait 60 seconds.
3. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

   note:

   The printer might go through a warm-up period, which might last several minutes. Wait until the warm-up period completes before you continue.