HP Error E5: Scanner error
E5 means the scanner is not working. The printer can usually still print while the scanner is unavailable.
What to try
- Press Cancel, then try scanning again.
- If scanning still fails, turn the printer off and then back on.
- Try the scan again once the control panel lights stop blinking.
When it needs a technician
If the scanner error keeps coming back after a restart, HP says to contact HP.
Which models show E5
HP documents this code for models including HP DeskJet 2900, HP DeskJet 4300, HP DeskJet 2800, HP Smart Tank 450, HP Smart Tank 500, HP Smart Tank 5000, HP Ink Tank 410.
Varies by model: On HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 and ENVY 6000, 6400 printers HP says E5 can mean the scanner or the printer is in an error state, and the fix is a power reset.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: HP Customer Support - HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers, Blinking lights and error codes. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing E5?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician