What does 'printhead missing or failed' mean on an HP 9015e?

This error means the printer has lost electrical communication with the printhead assembly, which is the component that holds the ink cartridges and sprays the ink onto the paper.

How do I fix a failed printhead on my HP OfficeJet Pro?

First, perform a hard reset by unplugging the printer. Next, open the cartridge access door, remove all ink cartridges, and lift the latch to reseat the entire printhead assembly. Clean the copper contacts if necessary.

Can you replace the printhead on an HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e?

Yes, the printhead assembly is removable and replaceable. However, it is an expensive part, and if the printer is out of warranty, replacing the whole printer is sometimes more cost-effective.

HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e Printhead Missing or Failed

The Quick Answer

If your HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e shows a "Printhead Missing or Failed" error, the printer has lost electrical contact with the printhead. To fix it, lift the cartridge access door, remove the ink cartridges, lift the latch on the right side of the carriage, lift the printhead out, and then firmly snap it back into place to re-establish the connection.

Understanding the Printhead Error

The printhead is the carriage block that holds your four HP 962 ink cartridges. It communicates with the printer's main board via a ribbon cable and a set of gold electrical contacts. If the printer gets bumped, or if a power surge occurs, the printhead can momentarily lose contact, triggering a fatal error.

Step 1: The Hard Reset

Before disassembling anything, clear the printer's memory cache.

With the printer turned ON, unplug the power cord from the wall.
Wait 60 seconds.
Plug the cord back directly into a wall outlet (bypass any surge protectors, as they can restrict the high voltage needed to initialize the printhead).

Step 2: Reseat the Printhead Assembly

If the reset fails, you need to physically reseat the part to scrape any oxidation off the electrical contacts.

Open the front door and lift the cartridge access door. The carriage will slide to the center.
Unplug the printer so the carriage stays in the center.
Remove all four ink cartridges and set them aside.
Lift the latch handle on the right side of the carriage.
Grab the sides of the printhead and lift it slightly up and out of the printer.
Using a dry, lint-free cloth, gently wipe the gold electrical contacts on the back of the printhead.
Lower the printhead back into the carriage, lower the latch handle to lock it, and reinstall the cartridges.

When to Replace the Printhead

If you've reseated the printhead multiple times and the error persists, the circuitry inside the printhead has likely blown out. If your printer is still under its 1-year warranty (or 2-year HP+ warranty), contact HP Support immediately for a free replacement part. If it is out of warranty, you can purchase a replacement printhead, but weigh the cost against buying a new printer.