Quick fix HP

HP Error E2

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Error E2 on an HP DeskJet, Smart Tank, Ink Tank or ENVY printer means the paper does not match the print job: the paper size or length chosen in the job differs from the paper in the input tray. HP pairs it with E1, the paper size mismatch. Load matching paper or change the print settings, cancel and print again.

Jump to the fix ↓ HP: HP Smart Tank Printers, blinking lights and error codes (Error E1/E2) ↗
Safe to tryE1 and E2 are paper and settings errors. HP's steps are to load matching paper or change the print settings; none of them involve opening the printer.
Disconnect power firstIf you update the firmware, do not turn off the printer during the update. HP warns that this can permanently damage your printer.
Model-specificSome HP families report E1 (size) and E2 (length) separately and others treat both as one paper size mismatch. The button to press also differs. Follow the notes for your model.

Affected brands & models

HP DeskJet 2700, 4100 and 4800 printersHP DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printersHP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printersHP Smart Tank 500, 510 and 530 printersHP Smart Tank 210, 520, 580, 590, 5000 and 5100 printersHP Ink Tank 310 and 410 printersHP DeskJet and ENVY 6000, 6400 printers

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

The paper in the input tray is a different size from the page you are printing Quick fix Likelihood: Check firstAction: Load paper that matches the size of the page you want to print, then print the document again
The paper size setting in the application or print driver does not match the loaded paper Quick fix Likelihood: Check firstAction: Change the paper size settings in your application or print settings to match the paper in the printer
The paper length selected in the print settings differs from the length of the loaded paper (E2) Quick fix Likelihood: If the code is E2Action: Press Cancel to cancel the job, correct the paper size in the print settings and print again
The default paper size for print jobs does not match your paper (DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800) Quick fix Likelihood: If E1 or E2 returns on new jobsAction: Change the default paper size for your print jobs
Printer firmware needs updating (HP lists this fix for DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800) Attention Likelihood: If the settings are correct and the error staysAction: Update the printer firmware from a computer and do not turn the printer off during the update
The error remains after every HP step Service Likelihood: Last resortAction: Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a repair or replacement; check your warranty status first

What the code means

HP printers in these families show the letter E and a 1-digit error code on the control panel. E1 and E2 are the paper mismatch pair: when printing, the printer detects that the paper size of the print job does not match the width or length of the paper loaded.

DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900, DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 and Smart Tank 210, 520, 580, 590, 5000, 5100: HP lists E1 as paper size mismatch and E2 as paper length mismatch. What to do: load paper that matches the page size, or change the paper size setting, and print again.

DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800, Smart Tank 500, 510, 530 and DeskJet/ENVY 6000, 6400: HP describes E1 or E2 together as a paper size setting that does not match the paper loaded in the input tray. On DeskJet 2700/4100/4800 and Smart Tank 500/510/530 the Resume light blinks with the code. What to do: load the correct size paper or change the print settings.

Ink Tank 310 and 410: 'Error 1' with a blinking Resume light means the paper settings in the print driver do not match the paper loaded. 'Error 2' means the paper length selected in the print settings does not match the length of the loaded paper, and the printer prints the first page with errors. On a multi-page job the Error icon, Paper Error icon and Resume light blink. What to do: cancel the job and change the print settings in the printing software.

Most frequent causes

  • Paper of a different size from the document page is loaded in the input tray.
  • The paper size chosen in the application you print from does not match the paper in the printer.
  • The paper length selected in the print settings does not match the length of the loaded paper (E2).
  • The paper settings in the print driver do not match the loaded paper (E1 on Ink Tank 310 and 410).
  • The default paper size for print jobs is set to another size (HP's fix for DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800).
  • Printer firmware that HP recommends updating on DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printers.

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Press the Cancel button to cancel the print job or clear the error.
  2. Load paper that matches the size of the page you want to print.
  3. Or change the paper size in your application or print settings to match the paper loaded.
  4. Print the document again.
  5. On DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers you can also press Resume to continue printing with the error.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 7 done

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

Before you start

  • Note your exact model name: the meaning of E1 and E2 and the button HP tells you to press differ between DeskJet, Smart Tank, Ink Tank and ENVY families.
  • Check the paper size of the document you are printing and the paper in the input tray.
  • Keep a computer and the printer USB cable at hand if you own a DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 or 5800 and may need the firmware update.

What not to do

  • ×Do not turn off the printer during a firmware update; HP warns that this can permanently damage the printer.
  • ×Do not reprint before you correct the paper or the paper size setting; on Ink Tank 310 and 410 printers HP says E2 makes the printer print the first page with errors.

When to stop & call support

Stop and contact HP if E1 or E2 stays after you have loaded paper that matches the job, corrected the paper size in your print settings and printed again (and, on DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printers, changed the default paper size or updated the firmware). 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 error comes back

If E2 comes back on a later job, compare the paper size chosen in that job with the paper in the tray again, and check the paper size setting in the application you print from. On DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100 and 5800 printers, HP's fix is to change the default paper size for your print jobs or update the firmware. If it keeps returning after all of HP's steps, contact HP Customer Support.

Related parts & consumables

Input tray and paper width guideHolds the loaded paper; HP's loading steps slide the width guide against the edge of the stack
Cancel buttonCancels the print job or clears the E1/E2 error
Resume button and lightThe Resume light blinks with E1/E2 on several families; on DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers Resume continues printing with the error

Questions about HP E2

What does error E2 mean on an HP printer?

E2 is a paper mismatch. On DeskJet 2800, 4200, 4900, DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 and Smart Tank 210, 520, 580, 590, 5000 and 5100 printers HP calls it a paper length mismatch: the paper size of the print job does not match the length of the paper loaded. Load matching paper or change the paper size setting and print again.

What is error code E1 on an HP Smart Tank printer?

On Smart Tank 210, 520, 580, 590, 5000 and 5100 printers, E1 is a paper size mismatch and E2 a paper length mismatch. On Smart Tank 500, 510 and 530 printers, HP describes an E1 or E2 error with a blinking Resume light as a paper size setting that does not match the paper loaded. The fix is the same: matching paper or corrected print settings, then Cancel.

How do I fix HP Smart Tank error E2?

On Smart Tank 210, 520, 580, 590, 5000 and 5100 printers, press Cancel, load paper that matches the size of the page or change the paper size in your application, then print the document again. On Smart Tank 500, 510 and 530 printers, load the correct size paper or change the print settings, and then press Cancel.

Why does my HP Ink Tank show error E2?

On HP Ink Tank 310 and 410 printers, E2 appears when the paper length selected in the print settings does not match the length of the loaded paper. The printer prints the first page with errors. Press Cancel to cancel the job or clear the error, then change the print settings in your printing software.

How do I fix E2 on an HP Smart Tank 515 or Ink Tank Wireless 415?

HP publishes its E1/E2 steps per series, so open the HP support page for your model and check which blinking lights document covers it. HP's Smart Tank 500, 510 and 530 document says to load the correct size paper or change the print settings and press Cancel. Its Ink Tank 310, 410 document says to cancel the job and change the print settings in the printing software.

Can I keep printing while E2 is showing?

On HP DeskJet 2800, 4200 and 4900 printers, HP says you can press Resume to continue printing with the error, or press Cancel. On Ink Tank 310 and 410 printers, HP says E2 makes the printer print the first page with errors, so correct the paper or the setting before you print again.

PrinterErrors editorial team

Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.

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