» Sign-in with HP Passport | » Register
HP.com Home Products and Services Support and Drivers Solutions How to Buy
» Contact HP
Search:
More options
 
hp.com home


HP Support document

» 

Business Support Center

HP Passport Sign-in

» Sign-in with HP Passport
» Register
» Learn more...

Tasks

» Download drivers and software
» Troubleshoot a problem
» Setup, install, and configure
» Discover and use a product
» Perform regular maintenance
» Upgrade and migrate
» Recycle and dispose
»

Resources

» Customer Self Repair
» Diagnose problem or Chat (HP Instant Support)
» Support Forums
» Guided troubleshooting
» Manuals
» Submit a support case
» See more...
» Help
» Site map
» HP Support Center

HP Deskjet Printers - Blinking Lights

Introduction
The lights on the front of the product indicate status. These lights can be on, off, or blinking (flashing). The product has a Power ( ) button and light, a Resume ( ) button and light, and an Ink Cartridge ( ) status light. This document describes the most common combinations of blinking lights, what they mean, and how to fix the issue.
Figure 1: Lights and buttons
1 - Power button and light ( )
2 - Resume button and light ( )
3 - Ink Cartridge status light ( )
4 - Banner switch
Blinking lights
The information in this document consists of tables of solutions for each blinking light pattern. Find the appropriate table that contains the pattern of blinking lights on your product, and then follow the solution provided.
NOTE: There might be more than one reason why the product lights are blinking. Solutions for the most common issues are presented first.
The following table contains links to the blinking lights tables in this document.
Blinking light patterns
Link to solution Power light Resume light Ink Cartridge light
Click here for solutions Blinking Off Off
Click here for solutions On Off Blinking
Click here for solutions On Blinking Off
Click here for solutions Off Blinking Off
Click here for solutions Blinking Blinking Off
Click here for solutions On Blinking Blinking
Click here for solutions Blinking Blinking Blinking
Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solutions
Power light is blinking. The product is busy receiving information from the computer, but is not necessarily printing yet. Solution one : Wait a few minutes for the product to process information from the computer and complete the print job.
    The product needs to be reset. Solution two : Turn the product off, and then back on.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off.
  2. Press the Power button ( ) again to turn the product back on.


    The power supply is inadequate. Solution three : Remove any surge protectors in the power supply to the product and plug the product directly into the electrical socket.
    A peripheral device is interfering with communication between the computer and product. Solution four : Make sure there is a direct connection from the product to the computer.
  1. Remove peripheral devices such as a scanner or switchbox.
  2. If the product is connected to the computer through a non-powered USB hub, or if the type of hub is unknown, remove the hub and connect the product directly to the computer.
    The USB cable is not functioning correctly. Solution five : Reconnect the USB cable.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from the back of the product.
  2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
  3. Wait 5 to 6 seconds.
  4. Reconnect the USB cable to the product and to the computer.
    If reconnecting the USB cable does not solve the problem, try using another USB cable.
    The product driver needs to be updated. Solution six : Download and install an updated product driver.

Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solutions


Power light is on (steady), and the Ink Cartridge light is blinking. An ink cartridge is missing. Solution one : Install a missing cartridge. For help, see the Installation instructions in this document.
    One or both cartridges is incorrectly installed, incompatible, or defective. Solution two : Check the ink cartridges and then reinstall them.

    The ink cartridge contacts are dirty and the product does not detect the ink cartridge. Solution three : Clean the cartridges and the carriage.

Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solutions


Power light is on (steady), and the Resume light is blinking. The top cover of the product is open. Solution one : Close the top cover of the product, and then press the Resume ( ) button.
    The product does not sense any paper in the paper tray. Solution two : Load paper in the paper tray, and then press the Resume ( ) button.
    The product is not feeding paper correctly. Solution three : Adjust the paper feed. For more help, go to Correcting Paper-Feed Problems (bud03487) (in English).
    Paper is jammed in the product. Solution four : Resolve a paper jam. For more help, see the Paper jam solution in this document.
  Resume light blinks when the computer is restarted. This problem might occur if the product is turned on before the computer is turned on or restarted. The product should be turned on after the computer is turned on and turned off before the computer is turned off or shut down. Solution five : Press the Resume ( ) button.
    If a banner (continuous sheet of paper) is being printed, the product is waiting for the extra banner paper to be removed from the paper tray before the product can eject the last page of the banner. Solution six : Remove any banner paper from the paper tray, and then press the Resume ( ) button.
    When printing a banner, the banner switch does not match the setting in the product driver. Solution seven : If printing a banner, adjust the banner settings.
  1. Click the File menu in the software program being used.
  2. Click Print .
  3. Click Properties . (If Properties is not available, click Options or Setup , and then click Properties .)
  4. Click the Setup tab.
  5. Click Banner .
  6. In the Paper Size box, select A4 or Letter .
  7. Click the Select Paper Type button.
  8. Select Specialty Papers and HP Banner Paper .
  9. Flip the banner switch up. The banner switch is located next to the paper tray.
    Figure 4: Flip the banner switch up
    Flip the banner switch up
Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solution
Resume light is blinking. Paper is jammed in the product. Resolve any paper jam. For help, see the Paper jam solution in this document.
Before you begin the solution below, make sure the cartridge is compatible with your product.
Contextual Wrapper
Click this link, HP Home & Home Office Store (US only), and then click Ink Toner & Paper to purchase cartridges or check cartridge compatibility for your printer.
If you are located outside of the US, follow these steps to purchase cartridges using HP SureSupply.
  1. Click this link, HP SureSupply .
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and make sure that the country or region location is correct.
Which cartridges you use depends on your country or region. Follow these steps to purchase cartridges or check cartridge compatibility for your printer using HP SureSupply.
  1. Click this link, HP SureSupply .
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and make sure that the country or region location is correct.
Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solution


Power and the Resume light are blinking alternately. Paper is jammed in the product or the product is stalled. Resolve any paper jam or stall.
  1. Remove all of the paper in the input and output trays.
  2. Open the top cover of the product.
  3. Make sure all tape is removed from the ink cartridges.
  4. Remove any packing materials from the product, and then make sure no scraps of paper are left inside the product.
  5. If jammed paper is visible, grasp one or more sheets of paper and pull the paper out.
    NOTE: The paper might come out more easily if the paper feed rollers are turning in the same direction you are pulling. To turn the paper feed rollers, press the Resume ( ) button while pulling the paper out. To turn the paper feed rollers in the opposite direction, release the Resume ( ) button, and then press it again.
  6. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off, and then press the Power button again to turn the product on. If it will not turn off, unplug the power cord, and then plug it back in.
    The product runs through a reset cycle, which might clear the paper jam.
  7. If the paper is still jammed or if several (8 to 10) sheets are jammed, grasp a sheet in the middle of the paper stack using both hands, and then with firm, even pressure, pull the sheet out of the product.
    NOTE: Usually, removing one or two sheets from the middle of the stack will release the pressure and the rest of the stack can be removed.
  8. Close the top of the product, and then try again to print.
Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solution


Power light is on (steady), and the Resume Ink Cartridge lights are blinking.   Adjust the banner switch.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off.
  2. Move the banner switch (next to the paper tray) up and down a few times. Leave it in the down position if a banner is not being printed.
  3. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product on.
    If the problem persists, service the product.
Button/Light Blinking light pattern Cause Solution


All lights are blinking.   Reset the product.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off.
  2. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product on.
  3. If the lights continue to blink, Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off again.
  4. Unplug the power cord and USB cable from the product.
  5. Plug the power cord and USB cable into the product.
  6. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product on.
    If the problem persists, service the product.

   Content feedback
To help us improve our content, please provide your feedback below.

1. How does the information on this page help you?

   very helpful somewhat helpful not helpful
 

2. Was it easy to find this document?

   easy not easy

3. If you selected not easy for question 2, in which section did you expect to find it?

     

4. Comments:

 
 
- Your feedback will be used to improve our content. Please note this form is for feedback only, so you will not receive a response.
Contact HP if you need technical assistance.

Printable versionPrintable version
Privacy statement Using this site means you accept its terms Feedback to webmaster
© 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.