HP DeskJet 2130, 2300 Printers - Blinking Lights

There are four different areas where jammed paper might become blocked. Clear any jammed paper from one area, and then try to print again. If the error persists, check the next area for any jammed paper.

Improper placement or installation of the ink cartridges might cause the printer to indicate a carriage jam error. To make sure that the ink cartridges are installed correctly, remove and reinstall the ink cartridges, and then try to print again.

1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
2. Lower the output tray.
3. Reach inside the printer, grasp the handle, and then lower the ink cartridge access door.
   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
   Figure : Open the ink cartridge access door

   
4. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.
5. Lightly press down on each ink cartridge to release it.
   Figure : Press down on each ink cartridge

   
6. Pull each ink cartridge toward you out of its slot.

     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

   
7. Slide each ink cartridge at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently push up on each ink cartridge until it snaps into place.
   Figure : Push the ink cartridge into its slot

   
8. Close the ink cartridge access door.
   Figure : Close the ink cartridge access door

   
   Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

1. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from any power strips or surge suppressors.
3. Plug the power cord directly into an electrical outlet.
4. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
5. Turn on the printer.

Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Sometimes a paper jam error persists even though there is no jammed paper (false paper jam). Reset the printer, which might clear a false paper jam error, and then try to print again.

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.

Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Load the input tray with paper.

1. Raise the input tray, if necessary.
   Figure : Raise the input tray

   
2. Slide the paper width guide as far as possible to the left.
   Figure : Slide the paper width guide to the left

   
3. Load a stack of U.S. letter, A4, or legal size paper into the input tray with the short edge forward and the print side facing closest to you. Push the stack into the tray until it stops.
   Do not push the paper width guide so far that it binds the paper.
   Figure : Load the paper into the input tray

   
4. Slide the paper width guide to the right until it rests at the edge of the paper.
   Figure : Slide the paper width guide to the right

   
5. Lower the output tray, and then pull out the output tray extender.
   Figure : Lower the output tray and pull out the output tray extender

   

There are four different areas where jammed paper might become blocked. Clear any jammed paper from one area, and then try to print again. If the error persists, check the next area for any jammed paper.

note:

Paper jams can be real or false. The printer might report a paper jam even when there is no jammed paper. The following steps apply to both real and false paper jams.

Make sure that the carriage moves freely across the width of the printer.

1. Turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
2. Lower the output tray.
3. Reach inside the printer, grasp the handle, and then lower the ink cartridge access door.
   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
   
4. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.
5. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
6. Unplug the power cord from the power source or electrical outlet.

     warning:

   You must unplug the power cord to move the carriage by hand and reset the paper feed mechanism without the risk of electrical shock.

7. Use a flashlight to check for any paper or objects that might be restricting the carriage, and then remove any paper or objects that you find.

     caution:

   If the paper tears when you remove it from the rollers, check the rollers and wheels for torn pieces of paper that might remain inside the printer. If pieces of paper remain in the printer, more paper jams can occur.

8. Reach inside the printer through the ink cartridge access door, and then manually move the carriage.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the right side of the printer, move the carriage to the left side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck on the left side of the printer, move the carriage to the right side of the printer.
   • If the carriage is stuck in the middle of the printer, move the carriage to the right side of the printer.
9. Remove any loose paper or obstructions found.
10. Make sure the carriage can move freely across the width of the printer. Firmly push the carriage to the left side of the printer, and then push it to the right side.
11. Close the ink cartridge access door.
12. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
13. Plug the power cord back into the power source or electrical outlet.
14. Turn on the printer.

Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Cleaning the printer paper feed rollers with an automated utility can help clear paper jams.

1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
2. Remove paper from the input tray.
3. Press and hold the Power button, press the Cancel button () three times, press the Start Copy Color button () seven times, and then release the Power button.
   The printer makes some noise for approximately one minute. Wait until the printer stops making noises before you continue.

Cleaning ink smears can help clear paper jams and optimize print quality.

1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
2. Load paper into the input tray.
3. Press and hold the Power button, press the Cancel button () three times, press the Start Copy Color button () eight times, and then release the Power button.
   The printer feeds one page slowly. The printer might make some noise for approximately one minute. Wait until the page is out of the printer before you remove it.

Dust, paper fiber, and other debris might accumulate on the paper feed rollers and cause paper jams and paper feed issues. Clean the rollers inside the printer, and then try to print again.

note:

The printer in the following images might look different from your printer, but the steps are the same.

1. Turn off the printer, and then disconnect the power cord and any other cables.
2. Raise the input tray.
   
3. Lift and hold the input tray shield.

   note:

   Do not remove the input tray shield. The input tray shield prevents foreign debris from falling into the paper path and causing paper jams.

4. Look down through the open input tray and find the gray paper pick rollers. You might need a flashlight to illuminate the area.
   
5. Lightly dampen the cotton swab with water, and then squeeze any excess liquid from the swab.
6. Press the swab against the rollers, and then rotate them upward with your fingers. Apply a moderate amount of pressure to remove dust or dirt buildup.
7. Lower the input tray shield.
8. Allow the rollers to dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).
9. Reconnect the power cord and any other cables, and then turn on the printer.

Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Resetting the printer can clear carriage jam errors.

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.

Try to print. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Make sure to close the ink cartridge access door completely.

Before you begin, make sure that the ink cartridges are compatible with your printer.

HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink or toner supplies. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. If you do not use genuine HP cartridges, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue. To check the authenticity of your cartridges, go to the HP anti-counterfeit webpage (in English).

HP Deskjet 2130, 2131, 2132, 2134, and 2136 All-in-One printers

HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 2134, 2135, 2136, and 2138 All-in-One printers

Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.

• If the ink cartridges are not compatible, skip to the step to replace the ink cartridges.
• If the ink cartridges are compatible, continue to the next step.

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

1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
2. Lower the output tray.
3. Reach inside the printer, grasp the handle, and then lower the ink cartridge access door.
   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
   Figure : Open the ink cartridge access door

   
4. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
5. Lightly press down on the ink cartridge to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge out of its slot.
   Figure : Remove the ink 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

   
6. Inspect the contacts for any protective tape that still might be on the nozzles.
7. Remove the protective tape from the contacts, if necessary.

     caution:

   Do not try to remove the copper electrical strip.

   Figure : Remove the plastic tape

   
8. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then reinsert the ink cartridge into its proper slot.
9. Slide the ink cartridge at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently push the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.
   Figure : Snap the ink cartridge into place

   
10. Repeat these steps to remove and reinsert the other ink cartridge, if necessary.
11. Close the ink cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the ink cartridge access door

    
    If the error persists, continue to the next step.

The printer might display an ink cartridge error if the ink cartridge contacts are dirty.

1. Gather the following materials:
   • Dry foam-rubber swabs, lint-free cloth, or any soft material that does not come apart or leave fibers (coffee filters work well)
   • Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the ink cartridges)

       caution:

     Do not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the ink cartridge contacts. These can damage the ink cartridge or the printer.

2. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
3. Lower the output tray.
4. Reach inside the printer, grasp the handle, and then lower the ink cartridge access door.
   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
   Figure : Open the ink cartridge access door

   
5. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
6. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
7. Disconnect the USB cable.
8. Press down on the ink cartridge to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge out to remove it from its slot.
   Figure : Remove the ink cartridge

   

     caution:

   Do not remove both ink cartridges at the same time. Remove and then clean each ink cartridge one at a time. Do not leave an ink cartridge outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.

9. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides.
   Figure : Hold the ink cartridge by its sides

   
10. Inspect the contacts for ink and debris buildup.
11. Wipe the contacts with a dry swab or other lint-free material until no debris remains on them.

      caution:

    Be careful to wipe only the contacts. Do not smear any ink or debris elsewhere on the ink cartridge.

12. Dip a clean foam-rubber swab or lint-free cloth into distilled water, and then squeeze any excess water from it.
13. Clean only the copper-colored contacts, and then allow the ink cartridge to dry for approximately 10 minutes.
    Figure : Clean the contacts

    
14. Lightly moisten another foam-rubber swab with distilled water, and then squeeze any excess water from the swab.
15. Use the swab to clean the electrical contacts in the carriage, located inside the printer.
16. Clean the carriage contacts.
    Figure : The carriage contacts

    
17. Wait for the ink cartridge to dry (approximately 10 minutes), or use a new swab to dry it.
18. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then reinsert the ink cartridge into its proper slot.
19. Slide the ink cartridge at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently push the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.
    Figure : Snap the ink cartridge into place

    
20. Repeat these steps to clean, and then reinsert the other ink cartridge.
21. Close the ink cartridge access door.
    Figure : Close the ink cartridge access door

    
22. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
23. Reconnect the USB cable.
24. Press the Power button to turn on the printer if it does not turn on automatically.
    If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Repeat the steps that you performed earlier in this document to remove and then reinsert the ink cartridges.

note:

Make sure that the ink cartridges snap firmly into place.

Cleaning the ink cartridge contacts again can help resolve the issue. Repeat the steps that you performed earlier in this document to clean the contacts of the ink cartridges.

If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Restarting the printer can sometimes resolve an ink cartridge error.

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.

Replace one or both ink cartridges indicated by the Ink Alert light on the printer control panel:

Figure : Control panel with the Ink Alert lights

1. Ink Alert light (tri-color)
2. Ink Alert light (black)

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. Turn on the printer.
2. Lower the output tray.
3. Reach inside the printer, grasp the handle, and lower the ink cartridge access door.
   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
   
4. Wait until the carriage stops moving before you continue.
5. Lightly press down on the ink cartridge to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge out of its slot.
   
6. Remove the new ink cartridge from its package, and then remove the plastic tape.

     caution:

   Do not try to remove the copper electrical strip.

   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.

   
7. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then insert the ink cartridge into its correct slot.
   • Insert the black ink cartridge into the right slot.
   • Insert the tri-color ink cartridge into the left slot.
8. Slide the new ink cartridge at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently push the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.
   
9. Repeat these steps to install the other ink cartridge, if necessary.
10. Close the ink cartridge access door.
    The printer automatically prints an alignment page.
11. Lift the scanner lid.
12. Place the alignment page with the print side down on the scanner glass, and then position it according to the engraved guides around the glass.
    
13. Close the scanner lid.
14. Press the Start Copy Black button or the Start Copy Color button on the control panel of the printer.
    The printer aligns the ink cartridges.

    note:

    If the alignment page fails to automatically print, you can manually print an alignment page using the HP Printer Assistant software (Windows) or the Printer Utility (OS X).

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Replace one or both ink cartridges indicated by the Alert light on the control panel:

Figure : Control panel with the Ink Alert lights

1. Ink Alert light (tri-color)
2. Ink Alert light (black)

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. Turn on the printer.
2. Lower the output tray.
3. Reach inside the printer, grasp the handle, and lower the ink cartridge access door.
   The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
   
4. Wait until the carriage stops moving before you continue.
5. Lightly press down on the ink cartridge to release it, and then pull the ink cartridge out of its slot.
   
6. Remove the new ink cartridge from its package, and then remove the plastic tape.

     caution:

   Do not try to remove the copper electrical strip.

   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.

   
7. Hold the ink cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then insert the ink cartridge into its correct slot.
   • Insert the black ink cartridge into the right slot.
   • Insert the tri-color ink cartridge into the left slot.
8. Slide the new ink cartridge at a slight upward angle into the empty slot, and then gently push the ink cartridge until it snaps into place.
   
9. Repeat these steps to install the other ink cartridge, if necessary.
10. Close the ink cartridge access door.
    The printer automatically prints an alignment page.
11. Lift the scanner lid.
12. Place the alignment page with the print side down on the scanner glass, and then position it according to the engraved guides around the glass.
    
13. Close the scanner lid.
14. Press the Start Copy Black button or the Start Copy Color button on the control panel of the printer.
    The printer aligns the ink cartridges.

    note:

    If the alignment page fails to automatically print, you can manually print an alignment page using the HP Printer Assistant software (Windows) or the Printer Utility (OS X).

Make sure that the USB cable has not come loose between the printer and the computer.

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer.
   Figure : Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer

   
2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
3. Wait five seconds.
4. Reconnect the USB cable to the printer and the computer. Apply some pressure to secure the connections.
5. Make sure that the USB cable is connected correctly.
   Figure : Connect the smaller end of the USB cable to the rear of the printer

   
   Figure : Connect the larger end of the USB cable to the computer

   

Sometimes the printer is in an error state because it needs to be reset.

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 the error persists, continue to the next step.

1. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from any power strips or surge suppressors.
3. Plug the power cord directly into an electrical outlet.
4. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
5. Turn on the printer.

If the error persists, continue to the next step.

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Make sure that the power cord is connected to the rear of the printer and plugged into an electrical outlet.

1. Check the rear of the printer to make sure that the power cord is inserted securely into the printer.
2. Check the electrical outlet to make sure that the power cord is plugged in securely.
   Figure : Check the power cord
   
   1. Check the power cord at the rear of the printer
   2. Check the power cord at the electrical outlet
3. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

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 step.

If you have another power cord that is compatible with your printer, try the alternate cord.

• 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 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 section to service the printer.