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HP · Smart Tank 6000 / 7000 / 7300 / 7600

HP Smart Tank 6000–7600 Error Codes and Fixes

Exact E1–E9 meanings plus common paper, ink, ADF and printhead error states for HP Smart Tank 6000, 7000, 7300 and 7600 series printers.

E1 — Paper/settings mismatch

The paper in the input tray does not match the paper size/settings for the job.

Start hereMake the physical paper and print-job paper setting agree.
  1. Press Cancel.
  2. Load the correct paper or change the paper size in the application/print settings.
  3. Resend the job.

E2 — Paper/settings mismatch

HP gives E2 the same cause/action family as E1 on these Smart Tank models: loaded paper does not match the paper settings.

Start hereDo not reinstall the printer first; fix the paper/settings mismatch.
  1. Press Cancel.
  2. Correct the paper in the input tray or the paper-size setting in software.
  3. Resend the job.

E3 — Printhead carriage stalled

The printhead carriage cannot move normally because it is stalled, blocked, or the printhead cover is not properly closed.

Start hereLook for a real obstruction before replacing software or drivers.
  1. Open the ink access door and wait for movement to stop.
  2. Make sure the printhead cover is properly closed. HP specifically says not to open the printhead cover for this E3 check.
  3. Remove jammed paper or another object blocking carriage travel without forcing the carriage.
  4. Close the ink access door and press Resume.

E4 — Paper jam

The printer detected a paper jam.

Start hereClear the physical jam first.
  1. Clear the jam from the documented paper path.
  2. Remove torn scraps, not just the main sheet.
  3. Reload the input tray and press Resume.
  4. If E4 returns in the same location with no visible paper, continue with feed-path/roller/sensor troubleshooting.

E5 — Scanner not working

The scanner is not working.

Start hereRestart once, then retest the scanner.
  1. Restart the printer.
  2. Try scanning again.
  3. If E5 returns after restart, continue with scanner-specific troubleshooting/service rather than changing print drivers.

E6 — Printer error state

The printer is in a general error state and HP specifies a power reset.

Start herePerform HP's full 60-second power reset.
  1. With the printer on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.
  2. Unplug the cord from the power source and wait 60 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the cord directly to a wall outlet and then to the printer.
  4. Turn the printer on and retest. If E6 persists, use HP support/service.

E7 — One or more ink tanks are empty

The indicated cyan, magenta, yellow, or black ink tank is out of ink.

Start hereRefill the tank identified by the blinking ink icon.
  1. Identify which ink icon is blinking.
  2. Refill the indicated tank with the correct ink.
  3. Retest after the tank is refilled.

E8 — Fatal error

The printer reports a fatal error.

Start hereRestart once and retest.
  1. Turn the printer off.
  2. Turn it back on and try a simple print.
  3. If E8 returns, use HP support/service; repeated resets are not a repair.

E9 — Firmware update error

The printer encountered a firmware update error.

Start hereRestart once after the failed firmware update.
  1. Turn the printer off and back on.
  2. Try printing after restart.
  3. If E9 remains, use HP support for firmware recovery/service rather than repeatedly interrupting power.

Document icon / Attention light blinking — ADF jam or original loaded incorrectly

The document feeder is jammed or the original is not loaded correctly in the ADF.

Start hereCheck the automatic document feeder, not the main paper tray.
  1. Press Cancel if the Cancel light is on.
  2. Remove the jammed original and any scraps from the document feeder, or reload the original correctly.
  3. Retry the scan/copy/fax job.

Resume + Cancel lights on — No paper

The input tray is empty.

Start hereLoad paper and press Resume.
  1. Load paper in the input tray.
  2. Set the guides to the paper edges.
  3. Press Resume to continue.

Resume light + ink icon — Low ink

The indicated ink tank is low.

Start herePlan to refill the indicated tank.
  1. Identify the tank represented by the lit ink icon.
  2. Refill it before it becomes empty if convenient.
  3. Continue printing if the printer allows and output remains normal.

Attention + Resume lights + ink icon — Very low ink

The indicated ink tank is very low.

Start hereRefill the indicated tank soon.
  1. Identify the tank represented by the blinking/lit ink icon.
  2. Refill the tank with the correct ink.
  3. Retest printing after refill.

Printhead Problem / Printheads Missing

One or both printheads are missing, not communicating, not installed correctly, or have dirty electrical contacts.

Start hereIdentify which printhead is flagged, then reseat/clean its electrical contacts using HP's procedure.
  1. Use the printer display/icons to identify the black, tri-color, or both printheads involved.
  2. Make sure ink tanks are at least half full and paper is loaded before HP's printhead procedure.
  3. Open the ink access door, wait for the carriage to stop, and make sure the printhead cover is closed.
  4. If the error persists, follow HP's procedure to remove the indicated printhead, verify setup plugs/tape are removed, clean only the electrical contacts with a dry lint-free cloth/swab, reinstall it upright, close the cover, and align the printheads.
  5. If cleaning/reseating and HP's 60-second reset do not resolve it, replace the affected printhead or use HP service.

Manufacturer sources

HP — Smart Tank 6000/7000/7300/7600 blinking lights and error codes ↗HP — Printhead errors on Smart Tank 6000/7000/7300/7600 ↗
Printer Triage is an independent troubleshooting reference. When a model-specific manufacturer instruction differs, use the manufacturer instruction for that exact model.