HP Printer Printhead Warning [Solved]

In this article, we will guide you on how to solve the HP printer printhead warning problem on different HP printers and cartridges.

Table of Contents

Printhead Warning Messages Displayed on HP Printer Control Panels – HP Printer Printhead Warning

The following are the printhead warning messages displayed on the control panels of HP printers:

  • Missing or Failed Printhead
  • Incompatible Printhead
  • Printhead Failure
  • Printhead Appears to be Missing or Damaged
  • Printhead Missing
  • Printhead is Missing, Not Detected, or Not Properly Installed
  • Printhead Problem
  • Printhead Missing or Damaged

How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on HP Smart Tank 600, 500 Printers

When your HP printer encounters a printhead error, any of these might be displayed:

  • If your HP printer has a touchscreen, this will be displayed: “Cartridge Problem.”
  • If your HP printer doesn’t have a touchscreen, this will be displayed: The “Ink/Printhead” LED, both or one of the “Printhead” icons, or the “Alert” icon will blink.

Do the following tasks to solve the HP printer printhead warning problem on HP Smart Tank 600, and 500 printers:

1. Determine the Printhead causing the Problem – HP Printer Printhead Warning

Check the control panel or printer display to determine the cause of the problem:

  • If you see the blinking icon above the Tri-color icon, the error is caused by the Tri-color cartridge.
  • If you see the blinking icon above the Black icon, the error is caused by the Black cartridge.
  • If you see the blinking icon above both the Black and Tri-color icons, the error is caused by both cartridges.

2. Check your Printheads – HP Printer Printhead Warning

Do the following to check your printheads:

Step 1: Ensure that you have at least half the ink tanks full.

Step 2: Ensure that your input tray is loaded with paper.

Step 3: Turn on your HP printer.

Step 4: Open your HP printer’s front door.

Step 5: Open the access door to your printhead.

Step 6: Wait for the carriage to stop before you proceed.

Step 7: Ensure that the carriage latch of the printhead is closed.

  • If the latch of the printhead is closed, proceed with the next steps.
  • If the latch of the printhead is open, close it by pushing the latch down. After that, close the printer’s front door before trying to print a document. If you still encounter the error, proceed with the next steps.

Step 8: Unlock the printhead latch by pushing down the latch.

Step 9: Press down the printhead that’s causing the error to free it from its slot.

Step 10: Pull the printhead from its slot.

Step 11: Place the printhead on a piece of paper.

Caution: To stop the ink from transferring or leaking, hold your ink printhead upright and by its sides.

Step 12: Confirm that the plugs on the printhead are removed.

Step 13: Ensure that the tapes on the contacts of the printhead are removed.

Caution: Ensure that you don’t touch the ink nozzles or copper contacts. Do not change the contact’s protective tape. If you touch these parts, it could lead to poor electrical connections, ink failure, and clogs.

Step 14: Repeat the above steps for the remaining printheads if they were marked as defective.

Step 15: Push the printhead latch down to close it.

Step 16: Close the access door of your printhead.

Step 17: Close your printer’s front door.

Step 18: Align your printheads.

  • If the printhead is designed with a touchscreen control panel, do the prompts on the control panel to print an alignment page. When the alignment page is printed, do the instructions found on the alignment page to complete the alignment.
  • If the printhead is designed without a touchscreen control panel, if the “A” on the printer’s control panel is blinking, and your printer prints the alignment page automatically. Check the alignment page and then do the instructions you find on it.

3. Reset your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To reset your HP printer, do the following steps:

Step 1: Turn on your HP printer.

Step 2: Remove the power cable from your HP printer.

Step 3: Remove the power cable from the wall outlet.

Step 4: Wait for about 60 seconds.

Step 5: Reconnect your power cable to the outlet.

Step 6: Plug the power cable into your printer.

Step 7: Turn on your HP printer.

4. Contact HP – HP Printer Printhead Warning

If the above solutions fail to resolve the problem, then you need to contact HP Customer Support. Follow the steps below to contact HP Customer Support:

Step 1: Open a browser on your computer and go to this site: https://www.hp.com/go/contacthp

Step 2: Type the serial number of your printer.

This action will allow you to view the warranty status of your printer.

Step 3: If necessary, change the location.

Step 4: Choose a support option.

Asia Pacific residents will be directed to the nearest local service center.

How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 935, 934, 902 – 920, 862, 655, 564, 364, and 178 HP Cartridges

Do the following tasks to solve the HP printer printhead warning problem on HP printers with 935, 934, 902 – 920, 862, 655, 564, 364, and 178 HP cartridges:

1. Reset your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

Follow the steps below to reset your HP printer:

Step 1: Remove your printer’s rechargeable battery if it has one.

Step 2: Turn on your printer if it isn’t turned on.

Step 3: Remove the power cable from your HP printer.

Step 4: Disconnect the power cable from the power source (wall outlet, power strip, surge protector, etc.)

Step 5: Wait for about 60 seconds.

Step 6: Reconnect the power cable to an outlet rather than any other power source.

Note: Your HP printer should always be connected to an outlet according to HP’s recommendation.

Step 7: Turn on your HP printer.

This action will complete your printer’s reset.

2. Clean the Printhead – HP Printer Printhead Warning

Manually clean your removable HP printer printhead with the steps shared below:

Step 1: Open your HP printer’s door or the lid that allows you to access the cartridge area.

Step 2: Wait for the carriage to become idle before you proceed.

Step 3: Locate the carriage’s latch.

  • If you can’t find a latch, then it means that the printhead cannot be removed. In that case, you need to contact HP Customer Support to fix a repair date for your HP printer.
  • If you find a latch, continue with the step below.

Step 4: Take out all the cartridges in the carriage. To do this, push the tab holding each cartridge in place. When the cartridge is released, remove it from the cartridge.

Caution: Ensure that you don’t leave your printer cartridges outside your HP printer beyond 30 minutes. If you leave your cartridges outside your printer for so long, it can damage not only the cartridges but also your printer.

Step 5: Raise the carriage’s latch until you can’t raise it further.

Step 6: Hold the printhead by its sides and then take it out of the carriage.

Step 7: Dampen a fluff-free fabric with bottled or distilled water.

Ensure that you squeeze the fabric to remove the excess water.

Step 8: Clean the electric contacts on the printhead thoroughly. Ensure that you continue to clean the contacts until there is no ink on the fabric.

While cleaning, ensure that you don’t go beyond the edge that lies between the nozzles and the contacts.

Caution: Don’t allow your fingers to touch the copper contacts. The contacts should not be allowed to come in contact with any other surface either.

Step 9: Wipe any ink that has accumulated as well as debris from the edge that lies between the contacts and the nozzles with any clean spot of fabric.

Step 10: Clean the ramps on the nozzles’ sides with any clean spot of the fabric. Your wiping motion should be away from your ink nozzles.

Step 11: Clean each of the areas we already discussed using a neat, dry, fluff-free fabric.

Step 12: Put the printhead into your printer’s carriage.  

Step 13: Lower the carriage’s latch until you can’t lower it further.

Step 14: Reinsert the cartridges into your printer in their right slots. Ensure that they snap into their slots.

Step 15: Close the printer’s door or the lid that allows you to access the cartridge.

  • If the HP printer warning isn’t displayed, then it means that the problem is fixed.
  • If the HP printer warning is displayed, continue with the step below.

Step 16: Order a replacement printhead for your printer.

  • For printers that are designed to use 4 ink cartridges, purchase the CN643A HP printhead.
  • For printers that are designed to use 5 ink cartridges, purchase the CN642A HP printhead.

Step 17: Install the new printhead into your printer.

If you still see the HP printer printhead warning, then you need to service your HP printer.

3. Service your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To service your HP printer, contact HP Customer Support to fix a repair date for your HP printer. Folks in the Asia Pacific will be asked to contact the nearest service center to them.

If your printer is still under warranty, the repair will be free. Click here to confirm the warranty status of your HP printer.  

How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 962 – 969, 951 – 959, 950, 933, and 932 HP Cartridges

Do the following tasks to solve the HP printer printhead warning problem on HP printers with 962 – 969, 951 – 959, 950, 933, and 932 HP cartridges:

1. Reset your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To reset your HP printer, follow the steps we shared under the Reset your HP Printersection in the “How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 935, 934, 902 – 920, 862, 655, 564, 364, and 178 HP Cartridges” section of this article.

After resetting the printer, check if the problem is resolved.

If the problem persists, do the next task.

2. Update your HP Printer Firmware – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To update your HP printer firmware, use any of the methods below.

How to Update your HP Printer Firmware via your Printer’s Control Panel

To update your HP printer firmware via your printer’s control panel, follow the instructions below:

Note: To use this method, your printer needs to be connected to the internet. USB-connected printers cannot use this method.

Press the HP ePrint icon to locate the “Check for Updates” or “Product Update” menu on your printer.

Alternatively, you can do the following steps:

Step 1: Open the “Settings,” “Setup,” or “Service” menu depending on the option available on your printer.

Step 2: Choose “Tools,” “Printer Maintenance,” or “Preferences” depending on the option available on your printer.

Step 3: Choose “Printer Update,” “LaserJet Update,” or “Web Services” depending on the option available on your printer.

How to Update your HP Printer Firmware from the HP Download Page

To update your HP printer firmware from the HP Download Page, follow the instructions below:

Step 1: Turn on your printer.

Step 2: Connect your HP printer to your computer and an internet network.

We recommend that you read this article: How to Connect HP Printer [Issues & Solutions] to learn how to connect your HP printer to different devices.

Step 3: Visit the HP Software and Driver Downloads page on a browser on your computer.

Step 4: Check if there is an available firmware update under “Firmware.” If there is, install the firmware.

How to Update your HP Printer Firmware via the HP Smart app

To update your HP printer firmware via the HP Smart app, follow the instructions below:

Step 1: Open the app.

If you don’t have the HP Smart app, you can get it from the app store of your device.

Step 2: Add your HP printer if you’ve not done so already.

Step 3: Click on the image of your HP printer.

Step 4: Click on “Advanced Settings” or “Printer Home Page (EWS)”.

Step 5: Click on “Web Services” or “Tools.”

Step 6: Click on “Printer Updates.”

Check out the video below…

After updating your HP printer firmware, check if the HP printer waning problem is resolved.

If the problem persists, do the next task.

3. Reseat your Printhead – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To reseat your printhead, do the following steps:

Step 1: Open your HP printer’s door or the lid that allows you to access the cartridge area.

Step 2: Wait for the carriage to become idle before you proceed.

Step 3: Locate the carriage’s latch.

  • If you can’t find a latch, then it means that the printhead cannot be removed. In that case, you need to contact HP Customer Support to fix a repair date for your HP printer.
  • If you find a latch, continue with the step below.

Step 4: Turn on your HP printer.

Step 5: Remove the printer’s power cable from your HP printer.

Step 6: Raise the latch of the carriage.

Step 7: Slightly raise the printhead.

Step 8: Return the printhead to the printer carriage.

Step 9: Shake the printhead from left to right to set it properly in place.

Step 10: Lower the latch of the carriage until you can’t move it lower.

Step 11: Close your HP printer’s door or the lid that allows you to access the cartridge area.

Step 12: Reconnect the printer’s cable to your HP printer.

If you still see the warning message after reseating the printhead, repeat the above steps thrice at the maximum. If the problem persists, do the step below.

Step 16: Order a replacement printhead for your printer.

  • If your printer uses 951 and 950 cartridges, purchase the CR326A printhead (Japan & Asia Pacific), CR324A printhead (Africa, Middle East, & Europe), or CR322A printhead (Americas)
  • If your printer uses 952 – 959 cartridges, purchase the M0H91A printhead.
  • If your printer uses 962 – 969 cartridges, purchase the 3JB16A printhead.

Step 17: Install the new printhead into your printer.

If you still see the HP printer printhead warning, then you need to service your HP printer.

How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 940, 777, 728, 727, 89, 88, 85, 84, 82, 73, 72, 70, 39, 38, 18, and 10 – 13 HP Cartridges

Do the following tasks to solve the HP printer printhead warning problem on HP printers with 940, 777, 728, 727, 89, 88, 85, 84, 82, 73, 72, 70, 39, 38, 18, and 10 – 13 HP cartridges:

1. Reset your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To reset your HP printer, follow the steps we shared under the Reset your HP Printersection in the “How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 935, 934, 902 – 920, 862, 655, 564, 364, and 178 HP Cartridges” section of this article.

After resetting the printer, check if the problem is resolved.

If the problem persists, do the next task.

2. Clean the Electrical Contacts on the Printhead – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To clean the electrical contacts on the printhead, do the following steps:

Caution: You need to quickly perform the steps below within a couple of minutes. It is necessary to complete the steps quickly because leaving the printhead outside your printer for too long might damage the nozzles.

Step 1: Open the printhead access area lid.

Step 2: Check and read the message that is displayed to find out which printheads are affected. Only the affected printheads should be cleaned.

Note: The printhead slot on the right houses the magenta/cyan printhead, while the left printhead slot houses the black/yellow printhead.

Step 3: Move your printer’s carriage towards the left side.

Note: The menu and button presses vary by printer model.

  • For HP Officejet Pro K5400: Press down the printer’s “Resume” button for about 3 seconds.
  • For HP Officejet Pro 8500A: Touch this on the printer menu: “Change Printheads.”
  • For HP Photosmart Pro B8850: Press down the printer’s “Toolbox” for about 3 to 5 seconds.
  • For HP Photosmart Pro B9180, Officejet Pro K8600, L7700, L7600, L7500, L7400, L7300, 8500, and 8000: Press down “OK” for about 5 seconds.

Step 4: Allow the carriage to move to your printer’s access area.

Step 5: Remove the power cable from your HP printer.

Step 6: Raise the latch of the printhead.

Step 7: Get a dry, fluff-free fabric.

Step 8: Raise the handle of the printhead and then pull it out of its slot.

Step 9: Clean any residual debris or ink on the printhead’s electrical contacts with the aid of the fluff-free fabric.  

Caution: Ensure that you don’t clean the ink nozzles to prevent damage to your printhead. The nozzles should not contact any other surface as well.

Step 10: Keep the printhead with its side on a paper towel or piece of paper that is lying on a flat surface.

Step 11: Clean any residual debris or ink on the carriage’s electrical contacts with the aid of the fluff-free fabric: Use any clean spot on the fabric for this step.

Step 12: Reinstall your printhead into its appropriate slot that corresponds with the color code.

Step 13: Lower the printhead handle.

Step 14: Repeat the above steps for any other printhead that was affected when the HP printer warning message was displayed.

Step 15: Close the latch of the printhead.

Step 16: Plug the power cable into your HP printer.

Step 17: Close the printhead access area lid

Step 18: If you get prompted, press “OK,” “Done,” or “Resume.”

Check if the problem is resolved.

If you still see the HP printer printhead warning, do the next task.

3. Replace your HP Printer Printhead – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To replace your HP printer printhead, do these steps:

Step 1: Open the printhead access area lid.

Step 2: Check and read the message that is displayed to find out which printheads are affected. Only the affected printheads should be replaced.

Note: The printhead slot on the right houses the magenta/cyan printhead, while the left printhead slot houses the black/yellow printhead.

Step 3: Move your printer’s carriage towards the left side.

Note: The menu and button presses vary by printer model.

  • For HP Officejet Pro K5400: Press down the printer’s “Resume” button for about 3 seconds.
  • For HP Officejet Pro 8500A: Touch this on the printer menu: “Change Printheads.”
  • For HP Photosmart Pro B8850: Press down the printer’s “Toolbox” for about 3 to 5 seconds.
  • For HP Photosmart Pro B9180, Officejet Pro K8600, L7700, L7600, L7500, L7400, L7300, 8500, and 8000: Press down “OK” for about 5 seconds.

Step 4: Allow the carriage to move to your printer’s access area.

Step 5: Remove the power cable from your HP printer.

Step 6: Raise the latch of the printhead.

Step 7: Raise the handle of the printhead and then pull it out of its slot.

Step 8: Purchase a replacement printhead that is compatible with your HP printer.

Step 9: When you get the replacement printed, shake the printhead back and forth a minimum of six times before removing it from the package. 

Step 10: Bring out the replacement printhead from its package.

Step 11: Take away the nozzles’ protective caps.

Caution: Ensure that you don’t touch the ink nozzles to prevent damage to your printhead. The nozzles should not contact any other surface as well.

Step 12: Install your printhead into its appropriate slot that corresponds with the color code.

Step 13: Lower the printhead handle.

Step 14: Repeat the above steps for any other printhead that was affected when the HP printer warning message was displayed.

Step 15: Close the latch of the printhead.

Step 16: Plug the power cable into your HP printer.

Step 17: Close the printhead access area lid

Step 18: If you get prompted, press “OK,” “Done,” or “Resume.”

Step 19: if you get prompted to align your HP printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

If you still see the HP printer printhead warning, then you need to service your HP printer.

How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 801, 363, 17, and 02 HP Cartridges

Do the following tasks to solve the HP printer printhead warning problem on HP printers with 801, 363, 17, and 02 HP cartridges:

1. Reset your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To reset your HP printer, follow the steps we shared under the Reset your HP Printersection in the “How to Solve HP Printer Printhead Warning on 935, 934, 902 – 920, 862, 655, 564, 364, and 178 HP Cartridges” section of this article.

After resetting the printer, check if the problem is resolved.

If the problem persists, do the next task.

2. Service your HP Printer – HP Printer Printhead Warning

To service your HP printer, contact HP Customer Support to fix a repair date for your HP printer. Folks in the Asia Pacific will be asked to contact the nearest service center to them.

The solutions above will fix the HP printer 8725 print head damage warning and the HP 6970 printer head warning.

If your HP printer or cartridge is not listed, try any of the solutions we have shared to resolve your HP printer printhead warning problem.

We recommend that you read this article: HP Printer Warning [Detailed Guide] to learn about other HP printer warnings that you might encounter when using your HP printer.