HP Printer Error 72234 [How to Fix]

In this article, we will share with you the reasons and solutions for the HP printer error 72234.

Table of Contents

Reasons for the HP Printer Error 72234

Most times when the HP printer error 72234 occurs, your printer will display this message: “There is a problem with or ink system”.

The reasons for the HP printer error 72234 are:

i. Your printer needs a reset

ii. Print jobs that got stuck

iii. Poor contact between your HP printer and the printhead

iv. Outdated firmware

Solutions to the HP Printer Error 72234

1. Reset your HP Printer

To reset your HP printer, click this link: HP Printer Errors and Solutions – HP Printer Error Do Not Use Setup Cartridges, and then follow the instructions under the “Reset your HP printer” subsection.

2. Run HP Print and Scan Doctor

To run HP Print and Scan Doctor, follow the instructions we provided here: HP Printer Error Documents Waiting – Run HP Print and Scan Doctor”.

3. Delete Print Spooler Print Jobs

To delete the print spooler files, refer to the instructions shared here: HP Printer Error Documents Waiting – How to Clear Print Spooler.

4. Print Using a Different Program

Sometimes, the error might be due to an issue with the current program you are trying to print from. Therefore, you should confirm if this is the case by using another program.

For example, if the error occurs when you try to print from Microsoft Word, you can use Microsoft Excel to print a spreadsheet.

If you discover the error occurs only when you print from a particular program, then you need to uninstall the program completely. After that, reinstall the program and try to print from it again.

5. Reinsert your Printhead

As we said, poor electrical contact between your HP printer and the inserted printhead can cause the HP printer error 72234. Therefore, if this is the reason for the error, reinserting the printhead should fix the issue.

If your HP printer is displaying any other error apart from the error 72234, read this article: HP Printer Errors and Solutions [Detailed] to learn how to solve the error.

How to Reinsert your HP Printhead

To reinsert your HP printhead, do these steps:

Step 1: Take out your HP Printhead

i. Turn on your HP printer.

ii. Wait for the printer to warm up and become silent and idle before you continue.

iii. Open your printer’s cartridge access door.

iv. Remove the power cable from your HP printer. This will stop the carriage in the printer from moving.

Warning: Ensure that you remove the power cable from your HP printer before placing your hand inside your printer to prevent the risk of electric shock or injuries.

v. Raise the latch of the carriage.

vi. Hold the printhead by its sides, and then lift it out gently from the printer carriage.

Note: Ensure that you don’t remove the ink cartridges from your HP printhead. The printhead can be removed even with the cartridges inserted.

Caution: The bottom area of your printer’s printhead where the nozzle is located is fragile. Therefore, do not rub or bump this area on your printer. Ensure that you don’t touch the electrical contacts or nozzles to avoid print quality or electrical failure problems.

vii. Put the entire printhead assembly (the cartridges should still be installed) on a neat piece of paper with the upside facing down.

Caution: Ensure that the printhead is not left outside of your printer for a long period to prevent damage to your printer and the printhead itself.

Step 2: Examine the Printer’s Carriage Path

Look into the printer and check the carriage path for any obstructions. If you find any, ensure you remove them. If you can’t see the inside of the printer, get a flashlight.

Step 3: Re-Insert the Printhead

i. Hold the printhead at its sides and then turn it so that the nozzles are facing down while the electrical contacts are pointed away from you.

ii. Insert your HP printhead into your printer carriage. Ensure that the electrical contacts are facing inside your HP printer. As you move the HP printhead into your printer carriage, it will effortlessly lower into the printer carriage.

iii. Move the printhead gently from the left to the right to confirm that the HP printhead is properly seated in the printer carriage.

iv. Secure your HP printhead by lowering the latch of the carriage carefully.

v. Confirm that the latch of the carriage is down.

vi. Close your printer’s cartridge access door.

vii. Plug the power cable back into your printer.

viii. Turn on your printer by pressing the power button if your HP printer fails to turn on automatically.

ix. Wait for your printer to warm up, and become silent and idle before you continue.

If the HP printer error 72234 is resolved, after doing the above steps, then jump to step 5.

If the error is not resolved after doing the above steps, do step 4 below.

Step 4: Re-seat your HP Printhead at Least Three Times

On some occasions, the HP printer error 72234 will not clear after you have reinserted the printhead. In such cases, you will have to reseat your HP printer at least three times to clear the error.

Step 5: Clean the HP Printhead with an Automated Tool

To clean the HP printhead with an automated tool, do the following:

i. Put clean white paper into your printer’s input tray.

ii. On your printer’s control panel, press the right arrow. This will show additional options.

iii. Touch “Setup”.

iv. Touch “Tools”.

v. Touch “Clean Printhead”.

vi. Wait for the cleaning sequence to complete and your printer prints a report.

6. Update your HP Printer Firmware

To update your HP printer firmware, visit the official HP download page. After that, select your printer model and then follow the instructions to download the firmware.