Printer lights blink in certain patterns to tell you about specific problems. Follow the steps below if your printer lights are blinking or click here to learn more about your printer lights and buttons.

Read this document until you see the pattern that your lights are making. The solution is below each pattern.

NOTE: There may be more than one reason why your printer lights are blinking, so you may see several solutions.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT OFF	RESUME LIGHT OFF	POWER LIGHT ON
Problem The printer is not printing and the POWER light is on. Solution The printer is waiting for you to send it a document to print. Choose the print command from the software that you are using.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT OFF	RESUME LIGHT OFF	POWER LIGHT BLINKING
Problem The printer is receiving information from the computer, in the process of printing a document or finishing with printing a document. Solutions · Wait for the printer complete what it is doing. OR If you wait several minutes and it continues to blink, turn the printer off, then back on. If it won't turn off, unplug the power cord, then plug it back in. · Restart the computer and the printer. Try printing again. · Make sure there is a direct connection from the printer to the computer, no scanner, switchbox etc. · Try another cable. · Try connecting the printer to another computer. If the printer prints, then the problem was with the main computer, possibly a software or device conflict. If none of the solutions above worked then have the printer serviced.
Problem The printer prints a page with an e in the corner or prints miscellaneous letters or symbols. Solution Click here for instructions on resolving this issue.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT OFF	RESUME LIGHT ON	POWER LIGHT ON
Problem The 2-Sided Printing Module is installed incorrectly, not at all or the back access door is unlocked or open. Solution   1. Turn the knob on the rear access door of the printer counter-clockwise, and remove the door. (See figure at right.) 2. Insert the module into the back of the printer. (See figure at right.) 3. If the lights remain on, remove the 2-Sided Printing Module by pressing in the buttons on the ends of the unit.   4. Re-install the 2-Sided Printing Module by pushing the unit back into the printer without pressing the buttons, until it snaps firmly into place.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT OFF	RESUME LIGHT BLINKING	POWER LIGHT ON
Problem The printer may be out of paper. Solution 1. Load paper in the paper tray. 2. Press the RESUME button.
Problem The printer may have a paper jam. Solution Click here to learn how to clear paper jams.
Problem The Resume light continues to blink after the paper jam is cleared. OR The carriage is stuck or making a grinding noise. Solution 1. Lift the top cover to the printer. 2. Turn the printer off and then on again. 3. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer when the grinding noise starts. 4. Move the carriage towards the middle of the printer (this procedure may take a couple of tries to get the timing correct). 5. Take out the cartridges and close the top cover. 6. Reconnect the power cord. 7. Open the top cover, reinstall the cartridges, and then close the top cover.
Problem The printer may be ready to eject banner paper. Solution Press the RESUME button to eject the banner paper.
Problem The printer may be waiting to complete a print job, or receive data from your computer. Solution Wait for the printer to finish what it is doing.
Problem The printer is waiting for the ink to dry on paper it just printed. Solution 1. Remove the paper with new ink. 2. Press the Resume button.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT OFF	RESUME LIGHT BLINKING ALTERNATELY	POWER LIGHT BLINKING ALTERNATELY
Problem The paper isn't feeding correctly. Solution Click here for help with Paper Feed Problems.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT OFF	RESUME LIGHT BLINKING SIMULTANEOUSLY	POWER LIGHT BLINKING SIMULTANEOUSLY
Problem The print cartridge carriage is stuck. Solution 1. Open the top access door on the printer. 2. Remove the ink cartridges. 3. Turn the printer off, then on again. 4. Replace the ink cartridges. 5. Close the top access door.
Problem The Resume light continues to blink after the cartridges are released. OR The carriage is stuck or makes a grinding noise. Solution 1. Lift the top cover to the printer. 2. Turn the printer off and then on again. 3. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer when the grinding noise starts. 4. Move the carriage towards the middle of the printer (this procedure may take a couple of tries to get the timing correct). 5. Take out the cartridges and close the top cover. 6. Reconnect the power cord. 7. Open the top cover, reinstall the cartridges, and then close the top cover

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT ON	RESUME LIGHT OFF	POWER LIGHT ON
Problem The CARTRIDGE light is always on. Solution 1. Open the top cover. 2. Unplug the power cord for about 1 minute. 3. Plug in the power cord.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT BLINKING ALTERNATELY	RESUME LIGHT BLINKING ALTERNATELY	POWER LIGHT BLINKING ALTERNATELY
Problem The printer is not printing. Solution 1. Turn the printer off. 2. Turn the printer on. 3. If the error reappears, the printer may need service. Contact the HP Customer Care Center for further help.

PRINT CARTRIDGE LIGHT BLINKING	RESUME LIGHT OFF	POWER LIGHT ON
Problem The top access door on the printer may be open, or there may be something wrong with the print cartridge. Solution 1. Check to ensure that the top access door is firmly closed. 2. If the light continues to blink, open the top access door. When the top access door is opened, the print cradle moves so the yellow arrow on top of the cradle points to a drawing of a cartridge. Each drawing describes a symptom. Click here to learn more about what each of the drawings represent.

If the descriptions on this page don't match the blinking lights on your printer or if you've tried the solution(s) and your lights are still blinking, call us for additional suggestions.

NOTE: The light patterns described in this document are also described as flashing or flashing lights. Flash means the same thing as blink in this document. If your lights flash or blink, this describes the same symptom.