HP's guidance for maintenance and system messages starts at the control panel. If there are any current alerts, the dashboard on the home screen shows the top-priority alert, and you can tap the message to see a list of all current alerts with an icon for the severity of each, then tap an alert to get help solving that problem. HP has separate articles for the messages that most often stop printing: an Ink System Failure or System Supply Problem, a Print System Problem, a Printer Failure message, and a general There is a Problem with the Printer or Ink System. Typical first steps are to turn the printer off, wait, unplug for a minute, plug in directly to a wall outlet and turn on;
then remove and reseat the cartridges, check for tape, packing material or a jam, and check the carriage can move freely. A message that says a maintenance kit or supply is needed refers to consumable parts, and on business models a maintenance kit is a scheduled replacement, not a fault. Run the Diagnose & Fix tool in the HP app for the fault, note the exact wording and any code, and search HP's system error codes list. Update the firmware. If the message survives a power cycle and fresh supplies, a hardware fault is likely and the printer may need replacing.
Photograph the message and note the time. If you contact HP, the exact wording and any code shorten the call, and a record of what you tried avoids repeating steps.
Differential
Likely causes of “HP printers shows a maintenance box, drum, fuser, waste toner or service message”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A transient error
What separates it A message shows after a power event because of a transient error
How to confirm Power cycle the printer, and wait for it to start up again
- 2
A cartridge not seated
What separates it An ink system message shows because a cartridge is not seated
How to confirm Reseat the cartridges, and check that each one clicks into place
- 3
A blocked carriage
What separates it A printer failure message shows because the carriage is blocked
How to confirm Clear jams and packing material from the carriage path
- 4
A consumable due
What separates it A maintenance message shows because a consumable is due for replacement
How to confirm Replace the part or the kit that the message names
- 5
A hardware fault
What separates it The message returns because the printer has a hardware fault
How to confirm Contact HP, since a returning message points to a hardware fault
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact wording and any code
- Whether the message survives a power cycle
- Recent changes such as new cartridges
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRead the alert list
ReversibleRead the alert list, by tapping the message on the control panel, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Power cycle
ReversiblePower cycle the printer, by turning it off and unplugging it for a minute, from a wall outlet.
Reseat cartridges
ReversibleReseat the cartridges, and check for tape on each of them before you close the door.
Check the carriage
ReversibleCheck the carriage for jams and packing material that may block its path, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Diagnose & Fix
ReversibleRun Diagnose and Fix in the HP app, which can identify the fault for you.
Look up the code
ReversibleLook up the code in HP's error list, to see what it means and how to clear it.
Contact HP
ReversibleContact HP if it persists, and give them the model and the exact message, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Business models
- LaserJet and OfficeJet Pro business models schedule maintenance kits.
- Home models
- Home models rarely need maintenance kits.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models OfficeJet Pro 9125e, OfficeJet Pro 9015e, OfficeJet Pro 8025e, ENVY Inspire 7955e, ENVY 6455e, DeskJet 4155e, LaserJet Pro 4101fdw, LaserJet M234sdwe, Smart Tank 7602, Smart Tank 5101.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the message returns after a power cycle and fresh supplies, contact HP
- !If a code is listed as a hardware fault, the printer may need replacing
- !If a maintenance kit is due, order the kit
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Alerts and maintenance on the control panel.
Ink system error steps.
Error code lookup.
The diagnostic tool.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Where do I see current alerts?+
Tap the top-priority alert on the home screen.
What is an Ink System Failure?+
An ink system fault with its own HP guide.
What is a maintenance kit?+
A scheduled replacement part on business models.
Does a power cycle help?+
A power cycle clears transient errors, which are short lived faults.
Where are error codes listed?+
In HP's system error codes article.
Can cartridges cause the message?+
Yes, cartridges can cause the message, if they are not seated correctly.
Can packing material cause it?+
Yes, packing material can cause it, if it is left in the carriage path.
Does Diagnose & Fix help?+
Diagnose and Fix can help, since it can identify the fault from the printer.