Attention required HP

HP Error E0

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Error E0 on an HP DeskJet or ENVY printer points to one or both ink cartridges: not seated correctly, still covered by tape, incompatible, damaged or unusable. Remove and reinstall the cartridge shown by the blinking icon, remove any shipping tape, press Cancel, restart the printer, and replace the cartridge if the error remains.

Jump to the fix ↓ HP: DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900 printers, blinking lights and error codes (Error E0) ↗
Ink can stainHandle cartridges only by their sides and set them on a protected surface. Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles: HP warns this can cause an ink system failure.
Safe to tryHP's E0 steps are done through the cartridge access door: reseat, check for tape, restart and replace the cartridge. None of them require opening the printer casing.
Model-specificHP describes E0 differently by family: a problem with one or both cartridges (DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900), a cartridge connectivity issue (DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800) or an unusable cartridge (DeskJet/ENVY 6000, 6400). Follow the steps for your model.
May need a technicianIf E0 persists with a new genuine HP cartridge, HP's answer is to service or replace the printer through HP Customer Support.

Affected brands & models

HP DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printersHP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printersHP DeskJet and ENVY 6000, 6400 printers

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

A cartridge is not seated correctly in its slot or is tilted upward Quick fix Likelihood: Check firstAction: Open the cartridge access door, release the cartridge, slide it back in until it snaps into place, press in any tilted cartridge so both sit at the same level, close the door
Orange shipping tape or protective tape is still on the cartridge Quick fix Likelihood: Check first with new cartridgesAction: Remove only the tape covering the nozzles, never the printed circuit stuck to the cartridge, then reinstall it
The cartridge is not a compatible, genuine HP cartridge for this printer Attention Likelihood: If the cartridge was recently changedAction: Compare the cartridge number on its label with the compatible numbers on the label inside the printer
The cartridge is missing, damaged, defective or unusable Attention Likelihood: If reseating does not clear E0Action: Find the faulty cartridge and replace it with a new, genuine HP cartridge; if it is in warranty, contact HP Customer Support for possible replacement
Ink cartridge contacts need cleaning (listed by HP for DeskJet/ENVY 6000, 6400) Attention Likelihood: ENVY 6000, 6400 familyAction: Follow HP's E0 steps for this family: reseat both cartridges, clean the ink cartridge contacts, restart the printer
E0 stays even with a new genuine HP cartridge Service Likelihood: Last resortAction: Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a repair or replacement; check your warranty status first

What the code means

These HP printers show the letter E and a 1-digit error code in the number counter on the control panel. E0 always concerns the ink cartridges, but HP words it differently for each family, so check which group your printer belongs to.

DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900: an E0 error displays and a cartridge icon blinks, or both cartridges show as empty even though they have ink. You cannot print. HP says the issue is related to one or both ink cartridges. A blinking left icon means the tri-color cartridge, a blinking right icon means the black cartridge, and both icons shown as empty means a cartridge is not seated correctly into its chute.

DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800: HP describes E0 as a cartridge connectivity issue with the cartridge indicated by the blinking Ink Level icon. If you use original HP cartridges compatible with the printer, one or both cartridges are installed improperly or still have plastic tape on them, or are missing, damaged or defective.

DeskJet and ENVY 6000, 6400: HP says an E0 error indicates an unusable cartridge and occurs when one or both ink cartridges need attention.

Most frequent causes

  • One or both cartridges are not seated correctly or sit tilted upward in the carriage.
  • Orange shipping tape or protective plastic tape is still on the cartridge.
  • A cartridge is not compatible with the printer or is not a genuine HP cartridge.
  • A cartridge is missing, damaged or defective.
  • A cartridge is unusable (the wording HP uses for DeskJet/ENVY 6000, 6400 printers).

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Look at the ink level icons: the blinking one shows which cartridge has the problem (left is tri-color, right is black).
  2. Open the cartridge access door, wait for the carriage to move to the center, then remove and reinstall that cartridge until it snaps into place.
  3. Make sure both cartridges sit at the same level and no tape remains on the nozzles.
  4. Close the door and press Cancel to clear E0 (DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900), or wait for the printer to become idle and check the panel (DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800).
  5. If E0 is still there, turn the printer off, wait 60 seconds and turn it back on.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 8 done

Tick each step as you go. Your progress is kept while you work.

Before you start

  • Note your exact model: HP describes E0 differently for DeskJet 2800/4200/4900, DeskJet 2900/4300/5100/5800 and DeskJet/ENVY 6000/6400 printers.
  • Have a protected surface ready to set a cartridge on while you inspect it.
  • Check the cartridge numbers on the label inside the printer so you can confirm compatibility or buy the right replacement.

What not to do

  • ×Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles, and do not reapply the protective tape. HP warns that touching these areas can result in an ink system failure.
  • ×Do not try to remove the printed circuit adhered to the cartridge; remove only the orange shipping tape covering the nozzles.
  • ×Do not hold the cartridge anywhere but its sides when you remove or reinstall it.

When to stop & call support

Stop and contact HP if E0 still appears after you have reseated the cartridges, removed any tape, restarted the printer and installed a new, genuine HP cartridge. HP's next step is to service or replace the printer: schedule a repair or replacement through HP Customer Support and check your warranty status first, since repair fees might apply out of warranty. If the faulty cartridge is in warranty, ask HP Customer Support about a possible replacement.

If the error comes back

If E0 returns, look at which ink level icon blinks again: if it is always the same cartridge, HP's steps point to that cartridge (reseat it, check it for tape and damage, confirm it is a compatible genuine HP cartridge, then replace it). On DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printers, install the cartridges one at a time to confirm which one triggers E0. If E0 comes back with a new genuine cartridge, contact HP Customer Support to service the printer.

Related parts & consumables

Ink cartridgesThe left ink level icon represents the color cartridge and the right icon the black cartridge
Cartridge access door and carriageOpening the door moves the carriage to the center so you can release and reinstall the cartridges
Cancel buttonPressed after closing the cartridge access door to clear the E0 error on DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900 printers
Ink Alert lightIndicates low ink or cartridge problems on DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900 and 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 printers

Questions about HP E0

What does error E0 mean on an HP printer?

E0 is an ink cartridge error. On DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers HP says the issue is related to one or both ink cartridges; on DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printers it is a cartridge connectivity issue; on DeskJet/ENVY 6000 and 6400 printers it indicates an unusable cartridge. On the DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 HP adds that you cannot print while E0 shows.

How do I fix HP printer error code E0?

Open the cartridge access door, wait for the carriage to move to the center, then remove and reinstall the cartridge whose ink icon blinks until it snaps into place. Remove any tape covering the nozzles, close the door and press Cancel. If E0 stays, turn the printer off for 60 seconds, inspect the cartridge and replace it with a new, genuine HP cartridge.

How do I clear an HP DeskJet error E0?

On DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers, close the cartridge access door after reseating the cartridge and press the Cancel button to clear E0. On DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printers, close the door, wait for the printer to become idle and check whether E0 is gone; if not, install the cartridges one at a time to find the faulty one.

Why does my HP printer show E0 and both cartridges as empty?

On HP DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers, both cartridge icons shown as empty while the cartridges still have ink means a cartridge is not seated correctly into its chute. Reinstall the cartridges, press in any cartridge that is tilted upward so both are at the same level, close the door and press Cancel.

What if my HP printer still shows E0 with a new cartridge?

Make sure the new cartridge is a compatible, genuine HP cartridge for your printer and that all shipping tape over the nozzles is gone. If E0 still appears with a new cartridge, HP says to service the printer: contact HP Customer Support to schedule a repair or replacement and check your warranty status.

Does E0 mean the same on every HP printer?

No. HP publishes a blinking lights and error codes document for each printer series, and the three used here (DeskJet 2800/4200/4900, DeskJet 2900/4300/5100/5800 and DeskJet/ENVY 6000/6400) word E0 differently, though all point to the ink cartridges. If your model is not in these series, open the HP document for your own series before following any steps.

PrinterErrors editorial team

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