HP "Printhead Problem" Error: What It Means and How to Fix It

Quick answer: HP's "Printhead Problem" (also "There is a problem with the printhead" or "Printhead missing or failed") means the printer can't communicate with the printhead. Fix it in this order: power-reset the printer (unplug 60 seconds), reseat the printhead under the carriage latch up to three times, clean the electrical contacts on the printhead and carriage with a lint-free cloth, then update the firmware. If the error survives all of that, the printhead (or its connection board) has likely failed.

Updated November 6, 2026 · By Lauren Elward, Castle Ink

Key Takeaways

• The error means a communication failure between printer and printhead, not necessarily a dead printhead.
• HP's own forum experts recommend a power reset and reseating the printhead up to three times before anything else.
• Ink on the electrical contacts is a common cause; clean them gently with a lint-free cloth and let them dry.
• Many OfficeJet Pro models (950/951 and 952/953 families) have a removable printhead; some newer models do not.
• If the error returns after every fix, compare the cost of a replacement printhead with a new printer before buying parts.

What Does "Printhead Problem" Mean on an HP Printer?

It means the printer tried to talk to the printhead and didn't get the answer it expected. The printhead is the part that actually fires ink onto the paper; on many HP OfficeJet Pro and Smart Tank printers it's a separate component that sits in the carriage, with the ink cartridges or tanks feeding it.

The same failure shows up under several names and codes:

DeskJet and many ENVY models with the printhead built into the cartridge usually show "Cartridge Problem" instead. For those, see ink cartridge not recognized.

What Causes the HP Printhead Error?

The most common causes are a printhead that isn't fully seated, ink or debris on the electrical contacts, a firmware glitch, and genuine printhead failure. Less often, the ribbon cable or the board in the carriage is at fault.

• Seating: after moving the printer, a jam, or a cartridge change, the printhead can lift slightly off its contacts.
• Dirty contacts: ink leaking from a cartridge or the head can bridge the gold contacts.
• Firmware: a glitch or interrupted update can leave the printer unable to recognize the head.
• Running dry or long idle periods: printing with empty cartridges or leaving a printer unused for months stresses the head.
• Electrical failure: the printhead's internal circuitry can burn out; this is permanent.

How Do I Fix the Printhead Problem Error, Step by Step?

Do a power reset, then reseat the printhead up to three times, then clean the contacts. These steps follow the instructions HP's support experts give for OfficeJet Pro printhead errors.

Step 1: Power-reset the printer

1. With the printer on and idle, unplug the power cord from the back of the printer.
2. Unplug it from the wall too, and wait at least 60 seconds.
3. Plug it directly into a wall outlet (not a surge strip) and reconnect it to the printer. Turn it on if it doesn't start by itself.

Step 2: Reseat the printhead (up to three times)

1. Open the cartridge access door and wait for the carriage to stop moving.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer.
3. Lift the carriage latch (the handle on top of the carriage).
4. Lift the printhead up slightly without removing it.
5. Push it back down into the carriage and rock it gently left and right so it seats fully.
6. Lower the carriage latch and make sure it's all the way down.
7. Close the door, reconnect power, turn the printer on and wait until it's idle before printing.

HP's experts suggest repeating the reseat up to three times if the error comes back.

Step 3: Clean the printhead and carriage contacts

1. Unplug the printer. Remove the ink cartridges and set them on a paper towel, nozzles up.
2. Lift the latch and remove the printhead completely. Hold it by the sides; don't touch the nozzles or contacts.
3. Look at the copper or gold contacts on the printhead and inside the carriage. Wipe away ink or residue with a lint-free cloth or swab, very slightly dampened with distilled water if needed.
4. Let everything dry completely (at least 10 minutes). Moisture on the contacts causes its own errors.
5. Reinstall the printhead, lock the latch, reinstall the cartridges, close the door and power on.

For clogged nozzles (as opposed to a contact error), use our printhead cleaning guide or printhead cleaning solution. Don't soak a removable HP printhead in water to fix an electrical error.

Step 4: Update the printer firmware

Because the error screen often blocks the printer's menus, update from a computer: go to HP's support site, find your exact model under Software and Drivers, and run the firmware updater, using a USB cable if needed. If you use compatible cartridges, read how HP firmware updates can block third-party ink first, and turn auto-updates back off afterward.

Step 5: Replace the printhead, or the printer

If the error returns after all of the above, the printhead has most likely failed. Replacement heads are available for many removable-head models, but compare the price with a new printer, factor in the age of the machine, and check that you're buying the exact part for your model. A failing head can also be a sign that other parts, like the ink delivery system, are wearing out.

Which HP Printers Have a Removable Printhead?

Many business inkjets and ink-tank models do; most inexpensive cartridge printers don't. Your manual's "Replace the printhead" section is the definitive answer.

Can Compatible Ink Cause a Printhead Problem Error?

A quality compatible or remanufactured cartridge won't cause an electrical printhead error. The main ink-related risks are running cartridges completely dry, leaking cartridges that put ink on contacts, and incompatible chips (which produce cartridge errors, not printhead errors). Buy from a seller with a guarantee, and replace cartridges before they run fully empty. See compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and what a printhead is and how long it lasts.

How Do I Prevent Printhead Errors?

• Print at least once a week so ink keeps moving through the nozzles.
• Turn the printer off with its power button, not a power strip, so the head parks and caps.
• Replace cartridges promptly instead of printing on empty.
• Move the printer carefully; see how to move a printer without damaging it.
• Keep it in a moderate room, away from heat sources and dry air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still print with a printhead problem error?

No. The printer won't print until it can communicate with the printhead, so the error has to be cleared first.

How many times should I reseat the printhead?

HP's experts suggest up to three times, with a power reset between attempts. If the error keeps coming back, move on to cleaning the contacts.

What does error 0xc19a0024 mean?

On HP OfficeJet Pro printers it's associated with "Printhead missing or failed." Start with the reseat steps above.

Is it worth replacing an HP printhead?

Sometimes. On a newer business inkjet in good condition, a replacement head can make sense. On an older or low-cost printer, a new printer is often close in price and comes with a warranty.

Can I clean the printhead contacts with alcohol?

A lint-free cloth, dry or barely dampened with distilled water, is the safest choice. Whatever you use, let the contacts dry completely before reinstalling.

Does HP cover printhead failure under warranty?

Printheads are generally covered by the printer's warranty, and using non-HP ink doesn't by itself void it. HP may charge for a repair it attributes to a third-party cartridge.

Why did the error appear after I moved my printer?

Moving can unseat the printhead or tip ink onto the contacts. Reseat the printhead and clean the contacts.

Why did the error appear after a firmware update?

An interrupted or glitched update can confuse printhead detection. Re-run the update from HP's site over USB, then power-reset the printer.

Keep Your OfficeJet Pro Supplied

Once the printhead error is cleared, keep fresh cartridges in the printer so it never prints dry. Castle Ink sells remanufactured HP 950/951, 952/953, 962/963 and other OfficeJet Pro cartridges for up to 70% less than HP, with a 1-year 100% satisfaction guarantee and same-day shipping on orders by 4 PM ET. Shop HP ink cartridges or find yours on Find Ink by Printer.

Sources

• HP Support Community: "Printhead missing or failed" (0xc19a0024): reseat steps
• HP Support Community: OfficeJet Pro 9010 "Printhead Problem" (event code 62.80.A0)
• HP Support Community: "There is a problem with the printhead" (0xc19a0002)
• BCH Technologies: Fixing the OfficeJet Pro 8600 printhead error and updating firmware