Problem with Printer

Bronnie

Hi

I have an HP Deskjet F2480 printer for home use, maybe 18 months old, but not heavily used.

Following a paper jam a month or so ago, it has been temperamental. The 3 indicator amber lights for paper, and inks flash constantly, even though the ink cartridges are now new and there is no apparent problem with paper.

Over the past month, I have eventually managed to print and scan out all that I need, but it has involved turning the printer on and off for a bit or off at the mains etc. The print/scan performance is absolutely fine in terms of quality, but even though it has scanned/printed just fine, the 3 lights still flash constantly.

This morning I printed one page out fine from the lapotop, then when I tried to scan and print more, it flatly refused to perform and I had to go off to the library in the end to get it done.

Any ideas I can try please. (simple terms if poss pls!)

Thank you.

phona

That sounds very familiar. I used to work in IT support in primary schools and they had many, many issues with HP Inkjet printers, just as you describe. And indeed, it usually followed a paper jam.
You said you have three lights flashing. Are these the ink attention lights (one or both?), the attention light and/or the power light? HP provide a lookup for these error conditions, so exact details would be helpful!

Bronnie

Thanks for your reply.

I have been sitting here for a couple of hours combing the internet for troubleshooting tips. After trying the unplugging it at the device a few times, I have been messing about removing and reinserting the cartridges a few times.

Eventually it decided to produce one of those print alignment sheets. Then the black ink light went out! Managed to print a couple more sheets, lights still flashing, just come back in from making a cuppa and there are now no rogue flashing lights, just the green power light.

Miracles will never cease......these lights have been flashing constantly for weeks! Bit despondent to hear of the HP reputation though , which are more reliable in your opinion...my needs are simple!


EDIT TO ADD.............well for no reason, without even touching the printer, the coloured Ink light is flashing amber again and the Attention light next to it is amber, but not flashing. The Power light is green, not flashing though. It is printing and scanning to order again now though

phona

It sounds like it might have been having trouble recognising the cartridge. Sometimes there's a bit of dust or ripped paper or something in the works that causes all manner of trouble, you might have knocked it out. If it starts playing up again, look up the error lights in the manual (you can find it online if you don't have the papers) and follow any advice there.

In the schools the fault was a tiny piece of metal that allowed the printer to detect the presence of the cartridge. It would snap when removing paper jams or sometimes just when changing the cartridges. It'd work when it felt like it for a while but unfortunately the whole machine was only fit for the bin. I hope yours will decide to work again though!

I don't know if it's typical of HP printers to have this problem - it just applied to a couple of models that the council bought many of. Their big lasers tended to work reasonably well...
Personally I have an Epson that has given me no trouble (yet...) but I don't think I know enough to make any recommendation - try online reviews. The fact is that part of the fun of having computers is having to fix printers. Endlessly.