HP Error P: Ready to prime ink system (blinking P)
Also shows as: Blinking P on the control panel
A blinking P after installing printheads on HP Ink Tank and Smart Tank printers means the printer is ready to start, or was interrupted during, the ink priming process.
What to try
- Check that every ink tank is filled between the minimum and maximum lines.
- Make sure the black printhead is in the right slot, the tri-color in the left, and the blue carriage latch is snapped shut.
- Load plain white paper in the input tray.
- Press and hold Resume for three seconds to start priming. An alignment page prints.
- Place the alignment page face down on the scanner glass and press Start Copy Color to finish alignment.
When it needs a technician
If priming will not start or fails repeatedly, contact HP Customer Support. On Ink Tank 310 and 410, repeated priming failure shows as E7.
Which models show P
HP documents this code for models including HP Ink Tank 310, HP Ink Tank 410, HP Smart Tank Wireless 450.
Varies by model: Do not open the blue carriage latch after printhead installation unless you are installing new printheads or moving the printer a long distance.
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 Ink Tank 310, 410 Printers, A blinking 'P' displays. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing P?
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