HP Error E6: Printer error state
E6 means the printer is in a general error state.
What to try
- Turn off the printer.
- Unplug the power cord and wait about a minute.
- Plug the power cord back in, directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip.
- Turn on the printer and try the job again.
When it needs a technician
If E6 returns after a power reset, HP says to contact HP for service.
Which models show E6
HP documents this code for models including HP DeskJet 2800, HP DeskJet 4200, HP DeskJet 2700, HP Smart Tank 450, HP Smart Tank 500, HP Smart Tank 5000, HP Ink Tank 310.
Varies by model: On HP ENVY 6000 and 6400 printers HP calls E6 a generic error and says to restore factory defaults, then remove and re-add the printer in the HP app.
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 2800, 4200, 4900 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 E6?
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