HP Deskjet Printers - Blinking Lights

This document applies to the HP Deskjet 2510, 2511, 2512, 2514, and Deskjet Ink
Advantage 2515, 2516, 2520hc All-in-One and HP DeskJet Ultra Ink Advantage
2529 printers.

The following sections describe the most common combinations of blinking (flashing)
lights displayed on the control panel, followed by solutions for each combination.
Find the blinking lights pattern you are experiencing, and then follow the steps to
resolve the issue.

NOTE: 
The flashing J might look like a backwards letter L.

Figure : Control Panel

1. Power button
2. Scan button
3. Cancel button
4. Fit to page button
5. Fit to page light
6. Black copy button
7. Color copy button
8. Attention light
9. Ink level icons
10. Ink error indicator

Issue: All the lights are off

Issue: The Power light is breathing
Issue: The Power light is blinking fast and the
Attention light is on
Issue: Both Ink Level icons, the Attention light, and the
Power light blink normally
Issue: The Power light blinks fast for three seconds,
and then returns to normal
Issue: The Power light blinks
Issue: All the lights are blinking fast, and the
letter E blinks normally in the segment display counter
Issue: One or both ink level icons blink for 20 seconds,
then stays on
Issue: One or both Ink Level icons are blinking
normally
 Issue: The Attention light and Media Indicator blink
normally and the letter P blinks normally in the
Segment Display Counter
Issue: Both Ink Level icons and Media Error Indicator
blink normally, the Attention light blinks fast, and the
letter J blinks fast in the Segment Display Counter

Issue: Both Ink Level icons blink normally, the

Attention light blinks fast, and the letter C blinks fast
in the Segment Display Counter
In this error condition, the following control panel light pattern displays:

 Power light: On

 Attention light: Fast blinking

 Color ink level icon: Normal blinking and displays current ink level

 Black ink level icon: Normal blinking and displays the current ink level

 Ink error indicator: Off

 Media error indicator: Off

 Segment display counter: Displays letter C blinking fast

Figure : Control panel with lights indicated


Cause

The cartridge carriage inside the printer has stalled.

Solutions

Use the following solutions to resolve the cartridge carriage error.

Solution one: Turn the printer off and on again

Turning off the printer and then turning it on again recalibrates the cartridges.

Step 1: Turn the printer off and on again

Follow these steps to turn the printer off, and then on again to reset the print
mechanism.
1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer. If the printer does not turn off,
continue to the next solution to clear a paper jam.

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.

Step 2: Print a test page

Follow these steps to print a test page.

1. Load letter, A4, or legal unused plain white paper into the input tray.

2. Press and hold the Start Copy Black button ( ) and the Start Copy Color
button ( ) until the printer makes some noise.

3. Release both buttons. The test page prints.

 If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, there is no need to
continue troubleshooting.

 If the issue persists, continue with the next solution.

 If the test page does not print, continue with the next solution.

Solution two: Clear any jammed paper

Jammed paper can cause the carriage to stall. Follow these steps to clear any jammed
paper.

Step 1: Remove any loose paper or foreign material from the trays
Before you clear a jam from inside the printer, make sure there are no foreign
materials in the input or output trays.

1. Press the Power button to turn off the printer.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the printer.

3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

   WARNING: 
 You must disconnect the power cord before reaching inside the HP printer to avoid
risk of injuries or electric shock.

4. Remove any loose sheets of paper from the input tray.

5. Look inside the input tray and remove any foreign materials such as paper clips
or other objects that might have fallen inside.

NOTE: 
You might need a flashlight to illuminate the area.

Figure : Look inside the input tray and remove any foreign materials

6. Use your fingers to move the pick mechanism located inside the input tray and
remove any foreign objects found.

Figure : Move the pick mechanism inside the input tray and remove any
foreign objects found

   CAUTION: 
Make sure that there are no foreign materials that remain inside the input tray as this
could result in further paper jams or damage to the HP printer.

7. Remove any loose sheets of paper or foreign materials from the output tray.

Figure : Remove any loose paper from the output tray

 Step 2: Clear any jammed paper from the base of the All-in-One
Use the following steps to check for and remove jammed paper from the base of the
HP product.

1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn off the product if it is not already off.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the product if it is not already
disconnected.

3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product if it is not already
disconnected.

4. Turn the product so that you can access its underside (base).

   CAUTION: 
 Before turning the product, use your hand to secure the scanner lid.

5. Press in the tabs on either side of the cleanout door to release it. Then open the
cleanout door.

Figure : Press in tabs and open the cleanout door

6. Gently remove any jammed paper from inside the product.

Figure : Remove any jammed paper

   CAUTION: 
If the paper tears while removing it, check inside the door for torn pieces of paper
that might remain inside the product. If any torn pieces of paper remain inside the
product, more paper jams are likely to occur.

7. Reattach the cleanout door. Gently push the door forward until it snaps into
place.

Figure : Close the cleanout door

 NOTE: 
Make sure that tabs are locked in place to avoid future paper jams.

Step 3: Clear any jammed paper from inside the All-in-One

Follow these steps to remove any jammed paper from the inside.

1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn off the product if it is not already off.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the product if it is not already
disconnected.

3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product if it is not already
disconnected.

4. Open the cartridge access door.

 Figure : Open the cartridge access door

5. Gently remove any paper that is jammed in the product.

6. Close the cartridge access door.

Figure : Close the cartridge access door

Step 4: Clear any jammed paper from the front of the All-in-One
Follow these steps to remove any jammed paper from the front.
1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn off the product if it is not already off.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from the rear of the product if it is not already
disconnected.

3. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product if it is not already
disconnected.

4. Grasp the jammed paper with both hands and slowly pull it from the front of
the product.

NOTE: 
If the paper tears while removing it, check for torn pieces of paper that might remain
inside the product. If any torn pieces of paper remain inside the product, more paper
jams are likely to occur.

5. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.

6. Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.

Step 5: Print a test page

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

 If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, there is no need to
continue troubleshooting. Reconnect the USB cable, and then try to print again.

 If the issue persists, continue with the next solution.

 If the test page does not print, continue with the next solution.

Solution three: Make sure that the carriage moves freely

Follow these steps to make sure that the carriage can move freely.

Step 1: Check the carriage path for obstructions

Open the cartridge access door and make sure that there are no materials blocking the
carriage.

1. Turn on the printer.

2. Open the cartridge access door.

The carriage moves to the center of the printer.

3. Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before you continue.

4. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the
printer.

5. 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.
6. 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.

7. Reach inside the printer through the cartridge door, and then manually move
the carriage.
o If the carriage is stuck on the right side of the printer, move the
carriage to the left side of the printer.
o If the carriage is stuck on the left side of the printer, move the
carriage to the right side of the printer.
o If the carriage is stuck in the middle of the printer, move the carriage
to the right side of the printer.

 Remove any loose paper or obstructions found.

 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 to the right side.

 Close the cartridge access door.

 Reconnect the power cord to the back of the printer.

 Plug the power cord back into the power source or electrical outlet.

 Turn on the printer.

 Step 2: Print a test page
Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

 If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, there is no need to
continue troubleshooting.

 If the issue persists, continue with the next solution.

 If the test page does not print, continue with the next solution.

Solution four: Remove and reinstall the cartridges

Improper placement or installation of the cartridges can cause the printer to indicate a
carriage jam error. Follow these steps to remove and then reinstall the cartridges.

Step 1: Remove the cartridges

Follow these steps to take the cartridges out of the printer.

1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already turned on. Wait
until the printer is idle and silent before continuing.

2. Open the cartridge access door. The carriage moves to the center of the printer.
Wait until the carriage is idle and silent before continuing.

Figure : Open the cartridge access door

3. Lightly press down on the cartridge to release it, and then pull the cartridge out
to remove it 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

4. Check for obstructions under and around the carriage. Clear any obstructions
that you find. You might need a flashlight to illuminate areas for proper viewing.

Step 2: Reinstall the cartridges

Follow these steps to reinstall the cartridges. Repeat the steps for each cartridge.

1. Hold the cartridge by its sides with the nozzles toward the printer, and then
insert the cartridge into its slot. Make sure that the icon on the cartridge matches the
icon on the slot.
o The tri-color cartridge goes in the slot on the left

o The black cartridge goes in the slot on the right

Figure : Insert the cartridge

 Push the cartridge forward into its slot until it snaps into place.

Figure : Snap the cartridge into place

 Repeat these steps to remove and reinstall the other cartridge.

 Close the cartridge access door.

Figure : Close the cartridge access door

 Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

Step 3: Print a test page

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.
How to print a test page
1. Load letter, A4, or legal unused plain white paper into the input tray.

2. Press and hold the Start Copy Black button ( ) and the Start Copy Color
button ( ) until the printer makes some noise.

3. Release both buttons. The test page prints.

 If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, there is no need to
continue troubleshooting.

 If the issue persists, continue with the next solution.

 If the test page does not print, continue with the next solution.
 Solution five: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet
Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet to make sure that the power source
functions correctly.

Step 1: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet

Follow these steps to disconnect the power cord from a power strip or surge
suppressor, and then plug it into a wall outlet.

1. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

2. Disconnect the power cord from any power strip or surge suppressor, and then
plug it directly into the wall outlet.

3. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

NOTE: 
If the printer prints when plugged directly into a wall outlet, the power strip or surge
suppressor might not be allowing enough voltage to reach the printer.

Step 2: Print a test page

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

 If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, there is no need to
continue troubleshooting.

 If the issue persists, continue with the next solution.

 If the test page does not print, continue with the next solution.

Solution six: Reset the printer

Follow these steps to reset the printer.

Step 1: Reset the printer

Resetting the printer can recalibrate the printer to the correct functionality.

1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.

2. With the product turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the
product.
3. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

4. Wait at least 15 seconds.

5. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

6. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.

7. If the product does not turn on by itself, press the Power button ( ) to turn it
on.

Step 2: Print a test page

Print a test page to make sure that the hardware functions correctly.

How to print a test page

 If these steps resolved the issue, and the test page prints, you can stop
troubleshooting.

 If the test page prints successfully, but you continue to experience an issue

with your printer, then the issue is not related to the hardware.

o
Experiencing another issue?

 If the printer does not print a test page, there is an issue with the printer
hardware. Continue to the next solution.

Solution seven: Service the All-in-One

If you have completed all the steps and are still experiencing a problem, continue to
the Service the All-in-One section at the end of this document.

Issue: The Power light, Attention light, and Media

Error indicator blink fast
 Issue: The Power light blinks normally for twenty
seconds and then stays on
Issue: The Ink Error Indicator, both Ink Level icons,
and the Attention light blink fast, and the Power light
blinks normally
Issue: The Color ink level icon or the Black ink level
icon is empty and blinks normally

Issue: One or both Ink Level icons display as empty

and blink fast, the Ink Error Indicator blinks fast, and
the Attention light is on
In this error condition, the following control panel light pattern displays:

 Power light: On

 Attention light: On

 Color ink level icon: Empty gauge blinks fast

 Black ink level icon: Empty gauge blinks fast

 Ink error indicator: Blinks fast

 Media error indicator: Off

 Segment display counter: Displays any quantity of copies remaining

Figure : Control panel with lights indicated