HP Printer Error Codes and Messages: What They Mean and How to Fix Them

Your HP printer stopped and left you a code. Maybe it's a number with dots like 13.03 or 59.F0 on a LaserJet, "Er/02" on a small laser printer, an E3 on a DeskJet or Smart Tank, or a long string like 0x83c0000a on an OfficeJet. Each one points to something specific, and once you know which system your printer uses, most of them take minutes to clear.

This guide explains how HP's different code systems work, what the codes people see most actually mean, and the fixes HP itself gives for them. It's also straight with you about the codes that mean a part has failed, so you don't lose an evening restarting a printer that needs a repair.

Before you touch anything, write down the full code and every word next to it. On a LaserJet, the digits after the first dot tell you where a jam happened or which cartridge is involved. On an inkjet, the message matters more than the number.

Which Kind of HP Code Are You Looking At?

HP printers don't all report errors the same way. Match what you're seeing to one of these, then skip to that part of the page.

Numbers with dots, like 13.03, 49.4C02, 59.F0, or 10.00.10
LaserJet printers use this system. The first number is the category: 10 is a supply chip, 13 is a paper jam, 49 and 79 are firmware, 50 is the fuser. The characters after it narrow things down to a tray, a door, or a specific cartridge. Newer LaserJets add a plain sentence underneath, like "Paper is jammed in Tray 2." Start with the LaserJet table below.

"Er" and two digits, like Er/01 or Er/26
HP's compact LaserJets with a two-character display, such as the LaserJet Pro MFP M28 to M31 and the LaserJet MFP M232 to M237 series, flash "Er" and then a number. If the display shows "Go" and a number instead, the printer isn't in trouble. It's waiting for you to confirm something, like a manual-feed job.

The letter E and one digit, like E1, E3, or E7
DeskJets with a small display (the 2700, 4100, and 4800 series, for example) and HP Smart Tank printers use single-digit E-codes. The numbers mean nearly the same thing across those models, with a few differences covered in the E-code table.

A message with a code that starts with 0x, like 0xc19a0003 or 0x83c0000a
OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro, ENVY, and older Photosmart printers with a screen show a message such as "Ink System Failure" or "Carriage Jam," sometimes with a long code. Focus on the message. HP organizes its own help by message, and the same message can come with different codes on different models.

Blinking lights, but no code
Printers without a display report problems through light patterns. On DeskJet and Smart Tank models, a Power light that blinks fast usually means the ink cartridge access door is open or the printer is in an error state. HP publishes a "Blinking lights and error codes" document for each model family, so search HP's support site for your model name plus "blinking lights."

An error on your computer, not the printer
"Printer not activated, error code -30" comes from software on your PC, not from the printer. "Printer is in an error state" is a Windows status message, and our HP printer in error state guide covers it.

Try These Steps Before You Look Up the Code

HP's own error documents repeat the same few steps over and over. Do these first, in this order.

1. Read the whole message and do what it asks. Plenty of HP codes are prompts, not failures. A paper size mismatch on a Smart Tank clears with Cancel. A general engine error on a small LaserJet (Er/26) often clears when you press the button to continue.
2. Close every door and cover firmly. An open cartridge door or top cover sets off its own code on most HP printers, and some latches don't quite click unless you press them.
3. Look for paper, tape, and packing material. A torn corner of paper, a loose label, or a strip of shipping tape can stop the carriage or trip a jam sensor. On Smart Tank printers, make sure no orange plug or tape is left on the printheads.
4. Do HP's power reset, not just an off and on. For inkjets, HP's steps are: with the printer on, unplug the power cord from the printer and the wall, wait 60 seconds, then plug it straight into a wall outlet and turn the printer on. For LaserJets, turn the printer off with the power switch, wait at least 30 seconds, and turn it back on. On both, skip the surge protector or power strip while you troubleshoot.
5. Update the firmware once the printer is working again. HP fixes known errors in firmware, and for LaserJet 49 errors HP says an update solves most of them. On many HP printers with a menu screen, look for Setup, then Printer Maintenance, then Update Printer (the exact names vary by model). You can also do it in the HP app under Advanced Settings, or from HP's Software and Driver Downloads page. Don't turn the printer off while an update is running. HP warns that can permanently damage it.
6. If the printer looks fine but your computer still won't print, run Diagnose & Fix in the HP app. It clears stuck jobs and repairs common print spooler problems. HP retired HP Print and Scan Doctor in May 2025 and recommends removing it, so skip any site still offering it.

If the same code comes back right after a reset, something physical is still wrong or a part needs attention. That's your cue to look it up below.

HP LaserJet Error Codes by Number

The first number of a LaserJet code tells you what kind of problem the printer found. These categories come from HP's LaserJet Enterprise troubleshooting manuals. HP's smaller LaserJet Pro models reuse many of the same leading numbers, though the digits after them can differ by model.

A tip that saves a lot of guessing: if the message ends with "To continue turn off then on," HP's first step is exactly that. It's only when the code comes straight back that you're looking at a repair.

HP Printer Error Code 59.F0

A 59.F0 error (59.00.F0 on some displays) shows up on color LaserJets that use an intermediate transfer belt, the belt that carries all four toner colors to the paper. HP describes it as the printer starting up into a 59.F0 error and being unable to print.

HP lists two causes:

• The transfer belt is stuck and can't rotate.
• A sensor has failed. HP names it as sensor SR17, which detects whether the transfer rollers have pulled away from the belt.

What to do:

1. Turn the printer off, then turn it back on and let it finish starting up.
2. While you're at it, plug it straight into a wall outlet instead of a surge protector or power strip.

That's the full list of steps HP gives owners. If 59.F0 comes back on every start, HP's next step is an HP-authorized service provider. Don't pry at the belt or open panels hoping to free it, because both causes need parts or a technician. On an older printer that's out of warranty, get a quote first. A transfer belt is a replaceable part on many color LaserJets, but on a small office model the repair can land close to the price of a new printer.

HP Printer Error Code 79

"79 Error" or "79 Service Error, Turn off then on" means the printer's internal firmware hit an error. HP notes that under most conditions the printer restarts by itself. When it doesn't, or the error keeps coming back, work through HP's steps in order:

1. Turn it off with the power switch and wait at least 30 seconds. Then turn it on and let it fully start up.
2. Take the surge protector out of the picture. Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet.
3. Reseat the cables. Turn the printer off, unplug the network and USB cables, plug them back in, and turn the printer on.
4. Update the firmware. If the printer gets back to Ready, check its firmware version and install the newest one for your model.
5. Look for a pattern if the error comes and goes. HP suggests narrowing it down to a file or a connection type. If it only happens when you print a web page, try a different browser. If it only happens with PDFs, try one of these on a Windows PC, using the model-specific PCL 6 driver rather than HP's Universal Print Driver:
   • Open Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, choose Printing Preferences, go to the Advanced tab, and set Print Data Optimization to Optimize for Raster.
   • On the same Advanced tab, turn on Send TrueType as Bitmap.
   • Or print that file with the PCL 5 driver instead.

If none of that stops it, contact HP or an HP-authorized service provider. And if a job keeps resending and setting the error off again, clear it from the queue first. Our HP printer job stuck in queue guide shows how.

HP Printer Error Code 49

A 49 error is another firmware error, usually shown with extra characters such as 49.4C02 or "49 Service Error." HP explains that it happens when the printer is asked to do something its firmware can't handle. Common triggers are a file with printer commands the printer doesn't support, third-party software that wasn't designed for that printer, or a busy network with lots of jobs arriving at once.

HP separates two kinds:

• Intermittent 49 errors clear with a restart and come back now and then. HP's guidance for its business LaserJets is that once a week or less isn't a cause for alarm. It's about as serious as an occasional paper jam, and it won't harm the printer.
• Persistent 49 errors come back every time you restart.

How to fix it:

1. Start with the first three steps from the 79 section above: a 30-second power off, a direct wall outlet, and reseated cables.
2. Update the firmware. Print a configuration report to see your version. On HP's Enterprise LaserJets, HP says a firmware update solves most 49 errors.
3. Test each connection on its own. Turn off wireless printing from the control panel, connect a computer with a USB cable, and print a test file. Then send the same file over the network. If the error happens on every connection, contact HP.
4. If one file sets it off, print it with a different driver (switch from HP's Universal Print Driver to the PCL 5 or PCL 6 driver) or save it in a different format first, such as PDF. If the error happens while scanning, change the scan resolution or file type.
5. On a business LaserJet, unplug any add-on accessories and pause network software that polls the printer for status. If the error stops, bring each one back one at a time to find the culprit. HP also recommends making sure Auto Recovery is turned on (under Settings, then General, on FutureSmart 4 models) so the printer restarts itself after a rare 49 error.

HP Printer Supply Memory Error (10.xx)

A "Supply memory error" means a toner cartridge or imaging drum is in the printer, but the printer can't read the memory chip on it. HP calls that chip the e-label. It holds the cartridge's details and toner level. On some models, a question mark also appears on the supply level gauge.

The code tells you two things. The ending says what went wrong, and the middle digits say which supply.

• 10.0x.00: the chip is there but can't be read.
• 10.0x.10: the printer can't find a chip on that supply at all.

So 10.02.10 means the printer can't find the chip on the magenta toner cartridge.

How to clear it:

1. Open the front door and take out the supply the code points to.
2. Look at the chip. If it's cracked, scratched, or missing, the cartridge needs replacing.
3. Reinstall the cartridge so it's fully seated, then close the door.
4. If the message comes back, turn the printer off and on.
5. Check that the cartridge is genuine. HP's anti-counterfeit site (hp.com/go/anticounterfeit) lets you verify it with the serial number on the security label.
6. If it's a genuine HP cartridge and the error won't clear, contact HP. If it's a remanufactured or third-party cartridge, return it to the seller. HP says it can't guarantee non-HP supplies will be recognized.

HP LaserJet Paper Jam Codes (13.xx)

Every LaserJet jam code starts with 13. The next digits tell the printer, and you, where the sheet stopped. Most current models also show the location in words, and many play a short animation of which door to open. Follow that first.

On the LaserJet Pro M404 and M405 family, for example, HP maps the codes like this:

On the Color LaserJet Pro M454, 13.14 and 13.15 point to the rear door and fuser area. Other models use their own numbers, so trust the message on your screen over this table.

Clearing a jam the way HP describes it:

• Pull jammed paper out slowly, so it doesn't tear and leave a scrap behind.
• For jams near the toner cartridge, open the front door, take the cartridge out, lift the jam-access cover if your model has one, and remove the paper.
• If nothing's there, open the rear door and check again.
• Put the tray back with the guides snug against the paper and the stack below the fill marks.
• Be careful near the fuser. It sits just above the rear door on many models and gets hot. Give it time to cool before you reach in.

"Residual" jams, when there's no paper you can see
Codes like 13.A2.FF, 13.A3.FF, and 13.B2.FF on HP's larger business LaserJets mean a piece of paper is still somewhere in the paper path and the printer can't push it out by itself. 13.FF.FF means paper is blocking more than one sensor when the printer powers on. For these, pull out the paper trays and the toner cartridge and look through the whole path with a flashlight. A small torn strip is the usual culprit.

Same jam, over and over? HP's advice for a repeating tray 1 jam (13.02) is to check the paper meets the printer's specifications, reload it without overfilling, and clean the tray's pickup roller and separation pad. Worn rollers are a common cause on busy printers. For more on this, see our HP printer paper jam guide.

HP LaserJet Fuser Errors (50.xx)

The fuser is the heated unit that melts toner onto the page. A code starting with 50, usually shown as "Fuser error, To continue turn off then on," means it isn't heating the way it should. In HP's service manuals, the digit after 50 names the fault. For example, 1 is a low-temperature error, 2 is a warm-up failure, and 3 is a high-temperature error.

HP's steps, in order:

1. Turn the printer off and back on. That clears a one-time glitch.
2. Plug it straight into a wall outlet. No power strip and no battery backup (UPS). A fuser draws a lot of power as it heats up.
3. Match the paper type setting to your paper. In the print dialog, open the printer's Properties or Preferences, go to the Paper/Quality tab, and pick the type that matches what's loaded. The fuser runs at different temperatures for plain, heavy, and glossy paper.
4. Move the printer out of a draft. HP specifically warns about vents and windows. Cold air blowing on the printer can keep the fuser from warming up in time.
5. Reseat the fuser (business models). Turn the printer off, unplug it, and wait for it to cool. Open the rear or right-side door (it depends on the model), hold the fuser by its handles, and pull it straight out. Check the opening for paper or debris, then push the fuser firmly back in.

If the error keeps returning, the fuser has most likely failed. On many business LaserJets it's a replaceable part. Contact HP or an authorized service provider for the right one.

"Er" Codes on Small HP LaserJet Printers

HP's compact LaserJets with a tiny two-character display switch between "Er" and a number when something needs attention. This table combines HP's documents for the LaserJet Pro MFP M28 to M31 and the LaserJet MFP M232 to M237 series. A few codes only exist on one of those families, as noted.

To change the Er/08 setting on the M232 to M237 series: open the HP app, select your printer, go to Advanced Settings, then System, then Supply Settings, and set Very Low Setting to Continue. On the M28 to M31, the same setting is in the printer's Embedded Web Server. Print quality can fade once toner is very low, so treat this as a way to finish a job, not a permanent fix.

HP DeskJet and Smart Tank E-Codes

DeskJets with a small display and HP Smart Tank printers show an E followed by one digit. HP's documents for the DeskJet 2700, 4100, and 4800 series and for the Smart Tank 210, 520, 580, 590, 5000, 5100, 6000, 7000, and 7300 series line up like this:

HP's reset for E5 and E6: with the printer on, unplug the power cord from the back of the printer and from the wall, wait 60 seconds, then plug it directly into a wall outlet and turn the printer on.

Two Smart Tank cautions from HP: don't open the printhead cover or latch unless the instructions tell you to, and don't tilt the printer while clearing a jam, because ink can spill. If a printhead icon is blinking, HP says a printhead may be missing, installed wrong, still have its orange plug or tape on, or be the wrong type or damaged. If you see a letter A on the display, the printer is aligning its printheads, which is normal after setup.

Newer DeskJet families (like the 2800, 4200, and 4900 series) have their own "Blinking lights and error codes" documents on HP's site, so check yours if a code doesn't match.

HP Inkjet Error Messages and 0x Codes

On OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro, ENVY, and Photosmart printers with a screen, the words matter more than the code. The long 0x number is mainly for HP's technicians, and the same message can carry different numbers on different models. Find your message below.

Carriage Jam (and Codes Starting With 0x61)

The carriage is the part that holds the ink cartridges and slides side to side. When something blocks it, you'll see "Carriage Jam," an E3 on printers with small displays, or sometimes a code starting with 0x61 (0x61011bed turns up often on HP's forums for OfficeJet models).

1. If the Cancel button is lit, press it and wait until the printer goes quiet.
2. Turn the printer off and unplug the power cord.
3. Open the cartridge access door and gently slide the carriage from side to side.
4. Take out anything in its path, like crumpled paper, a loose label, or leftover tape. A flashlight helps.
5. If the carriage has a latch, press it down gently to make sure it's locked. (On ink tank printers, don't press a latch that's already secured.)
6. Don't force a carriage that won't move. HP warns that can damage the printer. And don't tilt an ink tank printer, since ink can spill.
7. Close the door, plug the printer back in, and turn it on. If the error's still there, do HP's 60-second power reset.

If the carriage still won't move freely, the printer needs service. For the 0x6100004a code specifically, see our other HP printer problems guide.

Ink System Failure (0xc18a0001, 0xc19a Codes)

"Ink System Failure," "System Supply Problem," and "Supply System Problem" all point to trouble between the cartridges and the printhead. HP's steps depend on which cartridges your printer uses. The number is printed on the cartridge label.

If your printer uses HP 178, 364, 564, 655, 862, 902 to 910, 912, 914 to 920, 923 to 925, 934, or 935 cartridges:

1. Take out each cartridge and look at the small vent on top. If the orange pull tab is still on, remove it. Clear any label glue or debris from the vent with a pin or paper clip, then snap the cartridge back in. HP warns not to leave cartridges out of the printer for more than 30 minutes.
2. Do HP's 60-second power reset.
3. Install a full new set of cartridges. If your cartridges or printer are under warranty, HP may replace them.
4. If the error survives a fresh set, the printhead needs replacing or the printer needs service.

If your printer uses HP 932, 933, 936 to 938, 950 to 959, or 962 to 969 cartridges:

1. Take out each cartridge and shake it to make sure there's ink inside. Replace any that are empty.
2. If your printer has a removable printhead with a latch, reseat it. With the printer on, unplug the power cord. Lift the latch, raise the printhead slightly, lower it back in, wiggle it left and right, and close the latch. Plug the printer back in. HP says you can repeat this up to three times.
3. Do HP's 60-second power reset.
4. Install a full new set of cartridges. If the error stays, the printhead needs replacing or the printer needs service.

Owners report 0xc18a0001 mostly on older Photosmart models, and 0xc19a codes such as 0xc19a0003 on OfficeJet Pro models alongside printhead messages. Either way, the steps above are the ones to follow. If you have an OfficeJet 6600 or 6700 showing "Printer Failure," our other HP printer problems guide covers that model family.

"Incompatible," "Incorrect," or "Cartridge Problem" Messages

HP says these usually mean the cartridge was made for a different printer or a different country or region, or it isn't making good contact.

• Check the cartridge number against the list for your printer on HP's site. If you moved the printer from another country, HP may need to do a regionalization reset before local cartridges will work.
• On printers that use the second cartridge group above (HP 932, 933, 936 to 938, 950 to 959, or 962 to 969), wipe the copper contact on the cartridge with a lint-free cloth and push it back in until it clicks.
• Check the "Warranty Ends" date printed on the cartridge. If it hasn't passed, HP may send a free replacement.
• Instant Ink cartridges only work while your printer is enrolled in Instant Ink. Their numbers look different from store-bought cartridges, and that's normal.

"Cartridge Problem" on an HP+ or Instant Ink Printer

HP+ printers and printers enrolled in Instant Ink need an internet connection to keep printing, and HP+ printers only accept Original HP cartridges. If you see "Can't print, connect to the internet," "Printer not connected to the internet," or a cartridge problem out of nowhere, check three things. Is the printer still on your Wi-Fi? Is your Instant Ink payment current? Is the printer still enrolled? Then reseat the cartridges and update the firmware. A printer that's been on USB only, or offline for a long stretch, can lock up until it reconnects.

"Protected Cartridge" Messages

HP Cartridge Protection permanently ties cartridges to the printer they were first installed in. Once a cartridge is protected, it won't print in any other printer, and turning the feature off later doesn't unlock cartridges that were already installed. If you moved a cartridge from another printer and get this message (Er/14 on small LaserJets), the only fix is a different cartridge. To avoid it next time, turn Cartridge Protection off before you install new cartridges.

"Non-HP Chip" or Cartridge Rejected After an Update

Many HP printers use what HP calls Dynamic Security to check that cartridges carry an Original HP chip. HP says the check can change over the printer's life, including through firmware updates, so a cartridge with a non-HP chip may work for a while and then stop. Refilled or remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip aren't affected. For more on this, see the FAQ below.

HP Printer Error Code 0x83c0000a

When 0x83c0000a appears, usually with the words NOS_LOADER_APP, the printer freezes while starting up and never reaches its home screen. HP Support staff on HP's community forum describe it as firmware or software corruption that stops the printer from booting. Owners report it most on inkjets such as the OfficeJet 4630 series.

1. Do a full drain. Turn the printer off, unplug the power cord, and disconnect every other cable (USB, Ethernet). Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. Then plug the printer directly into a wall outlet and turn it on.
2. Try HP's standard reset. With the printer on, unplug the power cord from the back of the printer, wait at least 60 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on.
3. Check the carriage. Open the cartridge door and make sure nothing is blocking the carriage. Reseat each cartridge.
4. Update the firmware the moment it boots. If the printer starts normally even once, install the latest firmware for your model right away, since corrupted firmware is the likely cause.
5. Ask HP about a model-specific reset. Some HP printers have a partial reset that you start by holding a button combination while plugging in the power. The buttons differ by model, so get the right combination for yours from HP rather than guessing.

If the printer never gets past startup after all of this, it needs service or replacement. Check your warranty first (see the repair section below). And if it starts fine but your computer shows it as unavailable, see our HP printer offline guide.

HP Printer Error Code 30 (Printer Not Activated)

"Printer not activated, error code -30" isn't an HP code, and it doesn't mean your HP printer is broken. It comes from programs that install their own PDF printer, most often Intuit's tax and accounting software such as QuickBooks Desktop and ProSeries. It shows up when that program can't reach the printer it's set to use. That might be its built-in PDF printer, or it might be your Windows default printer.

First, a 10-second test: print something from another program, like Notepad or your web browser. If that prints, your HP printer and its driver are fine, and the fix is in the program.

1. Pick a default printer yourself. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, select your HP printer, and choose Set as default.
2. Choose the same printer inside the program. Accounting software often keeps its own printer settings for forms, letters, and invoices. Point every one of them at the printer you just set as default.
3. If the error only happens when you save or print to PDF, the program's own PDF printer is likely damaged. For older ProSeries versions, Intuit's fix is to remove the ProSeries PDF printer from Printers & scanners and reinstall it from the program's install folder. For QuickBooks Desktop, Intuit's QuickBooks Tool Hub includes a PDF and print repair tool.
4. If other programs also fail to print, the problem is on the Windows side. Our HP printer driver and HP printer in error state guides walk through that.

HP Printer Open or No EP Error

"12 Open or No EP" only appears on very old LaserJets, like the LaserJet II and IIP. "EP" is the old name for the toner cartridge. The message means the printer thinks the top cover is open or no cartridge is installed.

• Take the toner cartridge out, reinstall it firmly, and close the top cover all the way.
• Check that nothing is keeping the cover from closing, and that the small tab that presses the cover switch isn't broken.

If the message stays with the cover shut and the cartridge seated, repair guides for these printers point to the cartridge sensor contacts, a stopped cooling fan, or a small circuit board part. On a printer this old, that's a job for a repair shop that still works on vintage LaserJets.

When an HP Error Code Means Repair or Replacement

Stop troubleshooting and look at your options if you see any of these:

• A "turn off then on" code that comes back every single time, especially in the 51 to 59 range, or a 49 or 79 error that survives a firmware update.
• 59.F0 on every startup. The transfer belt or its sensor needs service.
• A 50.xx fuser error after you've reseated the fuser and plugged into a wall outlet.
• Smart Tank E8, or an E6 that won't clear with HP's 60-second reset.
• Ink System Failure with a brand new set of cartridges installed. HP's next step is a new printhead or service.
• 0x83c0000a when the printer never finishes starting up.
• A carriage that won't slide freely even with nothing in its path.

Your options in the US:

• Check your warranty. Enter your serial number on HP's Warranty Check page at support.hp.com. HP says repair fees may apply once a printer is out of warranty.
• Look at your Care Pack. If you bought an HP Care Pack, it may extend coverage past the standard warranty.
• Check the cartridge's own warranty. Ink cartridges have a "Warranty Ends" date printed on them, and HP may replace a faulty one before that date.
• Consider an independent repair shop for business LaserJets, where fusers, transfer belts, and rollers are replaceable parts. On an inexpensive home inkjet, compare the quote with the price of a new printer before you agree to anything.