The Quick Answer
To fix a printhead error on an HP Smart Tank 5101, you must reseat the printheads. Open the front doors, wait for the carriage to center, open the blue latch, remove the printheads, gently wipe their copper electrical contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and firmly snap them back into place.
Understanding the Error
Because the HP Smart Tank 5101 is an EcoTank-style printer, the ink tanks are built into the printer body, but the actual "printheads" (the modules that spray the ink) are removable units that you install during initial setup. If the printer gets bumped, or if ink/dust gets on the electrical contacts, the printer loses communication with the printhead and throws an error.
How to Clean and Reseat the Printheads
Follow these exact steps to clear the communication error:
- Open the Access Doors: Turn the printer on. Open the front door and then the printhead access door. The carriage will slide to the center.
- Release the Latch: Press down firmly on the blue latch to pop it open.
- Remove the Printheads: Pull the black and tri-color printheads straight down and out of their slots. Be very careful not to touch the ink nozzles on the bottom.
- Clean the Contacts: Locate the copper-colored electrical contacts on the back of each printhead. Wipe them gently with a dry, lint-free cloth or coffee filter.
- Reinstall: Push the printheads back into their respective color-coded slots until they click.
- Close the Latch: Press down firmly on the blue latch until it locks. Close the access doors.
When to Replace the Printheads
If you've reseated the printheads multiple times and the error persists, the printhead itself may have suffered an electrical failure. Fortunately, because these are removable, you don't need to replace the whole printer. You can order replacement HP Smart Tank printhead kits (black and tri-color) directly from HP.
