HP Error Codes-With List of Solutions

IF your HP LaserJet printer has stopped working or has displayed an error message this guide will help you to find out what has gone wrong and diagnose the Fault,

I have put this list together as a trained printer engineer and hope you find it useful.You can email us on service@hpprinterrepairs.net if you need any further help The first thing to do when an error code appears is to take note of the error code and power the machine off for a few minutes, After a few minutes power the machine back on again, this is simple fix that may reset the printer error code, if the same error returns after a reset the machine has a problem,

These error code descriptions are a simple guide to help you troubleshoot hp error codes, Different models have different codes but most of them should be covered in this simple to read guide, they are to be used as a rough guild only,

Not all hp printer error codes can be fixed by the user and an Engineer may need to attend the call if the problem persists

Error Code 02 –A Warming up error

Explanation: This is commonly associated with a printer cable or driver problems

What to do: Power off the printer and remove all the printer cables, Wait for a few minutes for the machine to reset and power it back on, if this does not resolved the problem, there may be a hardware problem. This is not a common error and I would suspect it may be a hardware fault and an Engineer may be needed to attend the call,

HP Error Code: 10 – Supplies Memory Error

Explanation: This is a very common error code that appears a lot when using third party toners or ink cartridges, ie non original toners. The printer has a problem with the toner cartridge or the toner chip or the Printer is unable read the cartridge.

What to do: Try to reset the printer by powering it on and off. If this doesn’t work Take out the Toner cartridge and reinstall it, if this doesn’t work try replacing the toner cartridge with an original toner to see if it’s the compatible toners causing the problem. Nearly 90 % of the time it’s the cartridges that cause the problems, most of the time if you press go on the keypad it will clear it, but If is still doesn’t work when you have tired all of the above then you may have a hardware fault and an Engineer may be needed to attend the call,

HP Error Code: 11 – Paper Out

Explanation: One of the printer sensors has detected that there is no paper in the one of the paper trays, it is likely there’s a problem with the paper tray or paper sensor.

What to do: Make sure the printer is placed is on a flat surface. Next check all the paper cassettes for any damage or toner build up. I would also take out the paper cassettes and shine a torch in and make sure a piece of paper hasn’t got lodged in one of the cassette sensors, if this happens it will throw up this error code, If this does not fix it an Engineer will need to attend the call,

HP Error Code: 12 means Paper Out

Explanation: Error Code 02. Paper out problem,

What to do: It probably means there’s a problem with the paper tray or paper sensor. First thing to do is to check there is no paper stuck in the Machine and open and close all the printer covers, next Power off the printer and remove all the printer cables, Wait for a few minutes for the machine to reset and power it back on, if this does not resolved the problem, there may be a hardware problem and Engineer will need to attend the call,

HP Error Code: 13 – Paper Jam

Explanation: The printer has sensed paper has jammed in the machine, a Paper jam has occur throughout the machine i.e. Paper cassette, under toner unit or the fusing unit and the exit unit. Most hp machines will have a screen, on which it will indicate where the paper is jammed in the machine,

What to do: Follow the on screen instructions and check the paper path for paper jams in the machine. First thing to do is to check there is no paper stuck in the Machine and open and close all the printer covers, if no paper is found close all printer doors and panels and see if the error message has cleared, If not Power off the machine and wait for a few minutes for the machine to reset and power it back on, if this does not resolved the problem and the machine still dedicates a paper jam there may be a hardware problem and Engineer will need to attend the call, Usually paper jams occur when the feed roller are worn down, check out my page for Fault finding paper jams from the cassette

HP Error Code: 14 – No toner Cartridge

Explanation: The machine either doesn’t have a toner cartridge or it is not correctly Installed,

What to do: check to see is there is a toner in the machine and no one has taken it to use in another machine, If the toner is present remove and reinstalling the toner normally fixes this problem, If this these not resolve the problem try replacing the cartridge with a known working cartridge, again if the error message is still present Just check where the cartridges sits into the machine and make sure it clear .ie paper,

HP Error Code: 16 – Toner Low

Explanation: Error 16 and error 14 are very similar, this code indicates the toner cartridge is low or the toner is empty.

What to do: Most modern printers will just indicate the toner cartridge is empty and needs to be replaced, you may get out of jail for a while by Removing the toner and shaking it gently to evenly distribute the remaining toner.usually the toners runs out in the middle and works its way out to the sides, taking out the toner and shaking it will level out the toner and trick the machine in to thinking it still have toner, This is a quick fix and the toner will need to be replaced,

HP Error Code: 20 – Memory Overflow

Explanation: The Print job exceeds the memory of the printer.

What to do: first thing to do is to reduce the size of your printing job and try reducing the size of the file. Some pdf documents can be very large and can sometimes be too big for certain machines, if this doesn’t resolve the problem sometimes it could be a problem with the printer driver, try replacing the print driver and see if this resolves it. If this does not fixed it an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 21 – Printer Overrun

Explanation: Error 21 and 20 are similar codes and indicates that the print job has exceeded the current memory capacity of the printer.

What to do: first thing to do is to reduce the size of your printing job and try reducing the side. Some pdf documents can be very large and can sometimes be too big for certain machines, if this doesn’t resolve the problem sometimes it could be a problem with the printer driver , try replacing the print driver and see those this fix The problem, If this does not fixed it an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 22 – I/O Configuration

Explanation: A Communication problem has happen between the printer and the computer.

What to do: first thing to do is check the printer cable, disconnect the cable and reinstall it, next Try replacing the printer cable i.e. usb-network or parallel and check the computer is powder on and the cable is fully inserted. If this doesn’t help there may be a hardware issue .i.e. printer port and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 24 – Job Memory Full

Explanation: There is too many print jobs being send to the printer at the same time, or the job is too big for the laser printer memory to process.

What to do: This is not a very common and I can’t ever recall seeing it before, most modern printers today come with plenty of memory, if it does appear you can reduce the file size of your current print job. You can also try reducing the DPI. You can also try making the document smaller.

HP Error Code 25 – XXX Memory Full

Explanation: Again this is a similar error code to 24, many print jobs being send to the printer at the same time, or the job is too big for the laser printer memory to process

What to do: You can reduce the file size of your current print job. You can also try reducing the DPI. You can also try making the document or image simpler.

HP Error Code: 30 – PS Error 16

Explanation: This is a PostScript firmware error. PCL files being sent while the print is in PS mode or a bad PostScript file can also trigger it.

What to do: first clear all jobs from the print queue and reset the machine, it could also be a print job from one of the Pc’s causing the problem, you may have to go around each computer and find out which print job is causing the problem, it could also be a faulty PostScript SIMM if so I would refit the SIMM card and see if that helps if not it may have to be replaced,

HP Error Code: 30.1.1 – Disk Failure

Explanation: The printer’s hard disk has crashed or has gone faulty

What to do: Not an error code you want to see, It normally means the printers hard drive has gone faulty and needs to be replaced, try resetting the machine with the switch next I would try a cold reset, a cold reset is the last thing I would do as it formats’ the machine back to factory reset and you will lose all the printers setting .i.e Ip address/scanner folder/email address, but if you are getting this code and it won’t clear you have nothing to lose, if that doesn’t work an Engineer will need to attend the call and replace the hard drive,

HP Error Code: 40 – Data Transfer Error

Explanation: The connection between the Printer and the Pc has gone faulty.

What to do: Not a common error and very rarely seen, Check all the cables and ensure that any EIO boards are seated installed properly. If the printer is networked check to make sure the printer has the right IP settings and the driver haven’t changed. Press SELECT to continue printing however print data may be lost; simply reprint the missing pages.

HP Error Code: 41 – Temporary Print Engine Error

Explanation: The printer has experienced a temporary engine error, which can be easily fixed.

What to do: Power off the printer from the mains and wait for a few minutes for the machine to reset, you will need to resend the print jobs as they will be lost on the reset.

HP Error Code: 49 – Printer Error or Communication Error

Explanation: There is a few causes to this error it depends on the printer model, It tends to be associated with firmware or network errors,

What to do: This is a very common error code and most of the time it is caused by a corrupt PDF that was sent to the printer, Clear the print queue on both the server and every Pc that is Connected to the printer, reset the printer by powering it on and off, next get each person to print the same job they printed just before the printer went into an error 49 do this one after another this way you can find who has the faulty PDF, IF this doesn’t work (which is unlikely) next thing to do is replace the printer network card or reseating memory modules. If it persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 50.x – Fuser Error

Explanation: The printer has a faulty fuser unit or the supporting circuits or power are at fault. The additional 50.x number indicates:

What to do: One of the most common error codes on a hp is the error code 50, It is nearly always the fuser unit , the only way to fix the problem is to replace the fuser unit, the fuser unit has a heater element build into it .ie lamp and with pressure from the rollers it makes the toner stuck to the page, when the fuser unit lamp blows the machine will throw up an error 50, if you don’t feel comfortable replacing the fuser as they get very hot you may need assistance from an engineer

HP Error Code: 51 – Beam Detect Error

Explanation: The laser unit is faulty

What to do: Not much that came be done here other than replacing the faulty Laser unit, First thing to do before you ring for help is to reset the machine, if that doesn’t resolve it you will need assistance from an engineer who will have to strip down the machine to replace the laser unit, it’s a fairly common error

HP Error Code: 52 – Incorrect Scanner Speed Error

Explanation: This error code is very similar to error codes 52.1 and 52.2 they both indicate there is a problem with this scanner motor,

What to do: more or less the same error code as error 51 and typically needs assistance from an engineer

HP Error Code: 54 – Printer Error Cycle Power

Explanation: When we first seen this error code it caught us out for while ,

What to do: This is an easy fix the tab on the new toners need to be removed before you put it into the machine, Sometimes people forget to do this and the machine will throw up an error 54, when we removed the tab and put it back in it worked fin, the manual says error 54 printer error recycle power or replace engine board, which doesn’t really help much, the machine knows when the toner release tab isn’t pulled and gives an error code, it should say please remove toner tab, maybe on newer machines they have changed the software to resolve this

HP Error Code : 55 – Internal Communication Problem

Explanation: The likely cause is a poor connection between the DC controller and the formatter. Or both may have faults, although this can sometimes be attributed to faulty fusers, laser assemblies,

What to do: This is a hard problem to fix, if after resetting the printer it still persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 56 – Printer Device Error

Explanation: This error can relate to a number of different problems depending on the model.

What to do: Never seen this problem show up before but if it does show up, Turn the print off for 30 seconds and turn on again, If it persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 57.xx – Fan Failure / Gears Seized / Memory Card Error

Explanation: This error code indicates a failure of one of the printer’s fans,

What to do: Not much can be done here to fix the problem other than resetting the machine, If the problem persists after a reset you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 58.xx Error

Explanation: environmental memory controller problem, fan problem, or power problem and or DC controller fault.

What to do: You really don’t want to see this error pop up not much can be done here to fix the problem other than resetting the machine, If it persists after a reset you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 59 – Motor Error

Explanation: The printer has a faulty motor problem possibly relating to the main motor, fuser motor, and image drum motor.

What to do: Depending on the model of the printer it could be a number of things causing it, the first thing to do is replace the toners, sometimes the blades on some compatibles toners go faulty and cause the toner unit to lock up hence locking up the drive motor, second is to check there is no paper stuck somewhere in the machine locking up some other part of the machine, If all fails after this you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 60.xx –

Explanation: This relates to a motorised tray lift error.

What to do: Seen this problem a few times and most of the time it turned out to be a jammed sheet of paper stuck between the paper cassette and the tray lift drive, Take out all paper cassetts and look in to see if there is any paper there, if you don’t find any check that all paper trays are moving up and down check obstructions such as paperclips or other objects. If the problem doesn’t clear you could be looking at a faulty lift motor or logic board,

HP Error Code: 61 – Formatter, Memory Error

Explanation: The laser printer either has bad memory SIMMs or a faulty formatter board.

What to do: we don’t see this error code come up much which is good as it can be very difficult to resolve, first thing is to reset the machine after which Try simply reseating the memory chips. If it persists you have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 62 – Memory Error

Explanation: Defective Formatter Board

What to do: more or less the same error code as 61 first thing is to reset the machine after which Try simply reseating the memory chips. If it persists you have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 63 – Defective Formatter Board

Explanation: Your printer has a defective formatter board.

What to do: HP Error Code: again the same error code as 61 and 62 Power on and off the machine, first thing is to reset the machine after which Try simply reseating the memory chips. If it persists you have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code 64 – Scan Buffer Error

Explanation: This can be a number of different things including: faulty D.C. controller, or improperly fitted or bad firmware Dims or a faulty formatter board.

What to do: Never really seen an error code 64 the only thing i can suggest is to Power on and off the machine, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 65 – Scan Buffer Error

Explanation: This can be a number of different things including: faulty D.C. controller, or improperly fitted or bad firmware Dims or a faulty formatter Board

What to do: Again the same code as 64 Power on and off the machine, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 66 – External Paper Handling Device Error

Explanation: This fault means there’s a fault with one of the additional paper trays or finishing units, such as a staple finisher.

What to do: This could be a number of things first thing to do is check for paper jams in the finisher unit sometimes paper gets lodged in funny places in there and confuses the machine, Power on and off the machine, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 67 – Service Printer Error or Memory Error

Explanation: Again this can be a number of faults i.e. a temporary error, defective paper guide, a break in communication, controller board error.

What to do: This is just a general code and it sounds like it could be anything, I have never seen in the field but the first thing i would do is Power on and off the machine, you could also try a cold reset this is just a factory reset and If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 68 – Error in NVRAM. Service Error NVRAM full

Explanation: The NVRAM is full; means some actions can’t be processed.

What to do: The first we would do is a cold reset this just clears any fault codes the printer throws up, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 69 – Duplexer Error Explanation

The laser printer may have a problem with duplex unit; this is the unit that enables the printer to print back to back

What to do: Check the duplexer check for any obstructions .ie paper jams, that may be causing the error. I would also clean any sensors in the tray and do a power reset If the error persists you may need a new duplex unit and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 70 – Faulty MIO Card or SIMMs or Wrong Cartridge

Explanation: Either the SIMM or toner cartridge is installed wrongly.

What to do: First thing to do is replaced the toner cartridge after which i would check the SIMMs are sitting in ok, A cold reset is another good option if it doesn’t clear, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 71 – Faulty MIO Card or SIMMs or Wrong toner Cartridge

Explanation: More or less the same error code as 70 Either the SIMM or toner cartridge is installed wrongly.

HP Error Code: 72 – Defective toner Cartridge or Formatter Board

Explanation: Same error code as 70 and 71 Either the toner cartridge is not defective, or was removed during access, or the formatter board is defective.

HP Error Code: 79 – Critical Hardware Error has occurred

Explanation: Your printer has a faulty hardware issue, possibly related to a network card or a firmware issue.

What to do: First thing to do is a cold reset and see if this resolves the problem,if not the next thing to do is take out the network card if you can and run the machine without and see if the error goes away if it does you have a faulty network card,you could also try a firmware upgrade but i wouldn’t be to hopeful of this working , If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 80 – Defective Network Card or Formatter Board

Explanation: Your printer has a faulty. Network Card or Formatter Board

What to do: Same error code as 79 First thing to do is a cold reset and see if this resolves the problem, if not the next thing to do is take out the network card if you can and run the machine without and see if the error goes away if it does you have a faulty network card, you could also try a firmware upgrade but i wouldn’t be to hopeful of this working , If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 81 – Defective Network Card or Formatter Board

Explanation: Your printer has a faulty. Network Card or Formatter Board

What to do: again same error codes as 79 and 80 First thing to do is a cold reset and see if this resolves the problem, if not the next thing to do is take out the network card if you can and run the machine without and see if the error goes away if it does you have a faulty network card, you could also try a firmware upgrade but i wouldn’t be to hopeful of this working , If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 89 – PostScript ROM Failre

Explanation: Your ROM may be faulty or improperly located

What to do: i have seen this a few times and a cold reset has fixed it some of the time, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call

HP Error Code: 99 – Firmware Upgrade

Explanation: There has been a flash firmware failure.

What to do: try the flash upgrade again and hope it works otherwise you may have a problem with the formatter board, If the problem persists you may have a hardware problem and an Engineer will need to attend the call