HP Printheads missing: Printheads missing on Smart Tank
Also shows as: Printhead icons blink with the Attention light
After printhead installation on some HP Smart Tank printers, the printer does not prime and a 'Printheads missing' message appears. The blinking printhead icon shows which printhead caused it.
What to try
- Check which printhead icon blinks: tri-color, black, or both.
- Make sure the ink tanks are at least half full, paper is loaded, and the printhead latch is closed.
- Open the printhead cover, remove the printhead that caused the error, and confirm the top plug and contact tape are removed.
- Slide the printhead back in at a slight upward angle until it snaps, close the cover and front door, and align the printheads.
- Reset the printer: power off, unplug for 60 seconds, plug directly into a wall outlet, and turn on.
When it needs a technician
If the error stays after reseating and resetting, HP says to contact HP Customer Support.
Which models show Printheads missing
HP documents this code for models including HP Smart Tank 210, HP Smart Tank 520, HP Smart Tank 540, HP Smart Tank 580, HP Smart Tank 590, HP Smart Tank 5100.
Varies by model: Hold printheads by the sides and keep them upright. Do not touch the copper contacts or nozzles, and do not put the tape back on.
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 - Printhead errors on HP Smart Tank 210, 520, 540, 580, 590, or 5100 printers. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing Printheads missing?
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Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician