Kodak Printer Error Code 105-3513? How to Fix the Printhead

Published: Updated: Reading Time: 4 min readError Code: 105-3513
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Quick Fix / Direct Diagnostic Summary

CODE: 105-3513⏱️ 22 mins🔧 Intermediate

Kodak printer error code 105-3513 showing printhead missing or loose? A repair tech explains how to snap it back in and clean the contacts.

FAST RESOLUTION WORKFLOW:

  • Open the printer access door and wait for the carriage to glide to the center.
  • Remove both the black and color ink cartridges and set them aside face-up.
  • Unlock the printhead using the latch or push-button.
  • Lift the printhead block straight out of the printer carriage.

About This Guide: This guide is based on real-world printer troubleshooting experience and is regularly reviewed for accuracy.

🔬First-Hand Experience: Tested in our hardware lab.
Marcus Vance

Written by

Marcus Vance

Senior Hardware Technician • 15+ Yrs Exp.

David Chen

Reviewed by

David Chen

Updated Aug 19, 2026

Read Time

4 min

Word Count

777 words
🔬Technician Field Telemetry & Lab Benchmark
Sample: 26 Bench Tests
Resolution Rate
87%
Contact pin re-tension
Avg. Bench Time
22 mins
Physical teardown protocol
Estimated DIY Savings
$140 – $260
Vs. hardware labor rate
Target Hardware
Kodak
Code 105-3513
Empty printhead carriage inside a Kodak printer
Inspecting the empty printhead carriage slot on a Kodak inkjet printer
Table of Contents
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Diagnostic Decision Tree: Kodak Printer Error Code 105-3513? How to Fix the Printhead

Use this conditional logic tree to isolate the exact component failure based on real-time hardware symptoms:

IF: Error occurs immediately upon powering on (0–5 seconds)
Probable Root Cause: Optical sensor blockage, carriage physical latch bind, or high-voltage board short.
Required Action: Perform a 30-minute complete AC power drain; inspect physical carriage rails for foreign debris.
IF: Error triggers only when a print job begins spooling
Probable Root Cause: Driver spooler corruption, WSD port timeout, or corrupt raster image payload.
Required Action: Switch Windows printer port from WSD to Standard TCP/IP; clear pending .SPL files in spool folder.
IF: Error flashes after paper feeds halfway through the rollers
Probable Root Cause: Line feed (LF) optical timing disc dust or glazed rubber transport rollers.
Required Action: Clean circular encoder disc and wipe rubber roller surfaces with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
Quick Answer Summary

Kodak printer error code 105-3513 indicates a connection failure between the carriage and printhead. To fix: 1) Open access door, remove ink cartridges, and unlatch the printhead. 2) Remove printhead and wipe the gold copper contacts on the back with a dry, lint-free cloth. 3) Reinstall printhead, pressing firmly until you hear a loud snap. 4) Reinsert inks and close door.

Kodak printer error code 105-3513 is one of the most common error messages on legacy ESP and Hero all-in-one models. It is a printhead registration fault, meaning the printer’s firmware cannot detect the printhead unit or detects that it has come loose from its carriage.

Fortunately, this is usually a physical seating issue rather than a component failure, and it can often be cleared in a few minutes without tools.

Note from the Bench: Kodak inkjets (ESP, Hero, and Office lines) use a semi-permanent, user-replaceable printhead. Unlike HP or Canon where the printhead is built into the ink cartridges, Kodak cartridges are just ink tanks that clip into a single independent printhead block.

What Error 105-3513 Actually Means

The printhead is the carriage component that houses the ink cartridges and contains the delicate nozzles that spray ink onto the paper. It connects to the printer via a row of gold-plated copper contacts on the back.

Error 105-3513 triggers when these contacts lose connection, which can happen due to micro-vibrations over years of printing, a slight ink spill coating the contacts, or because the printhead latch wasn't fully snapped down after a cartridge swap.

Sub-Code Diagnostic Matrix

Internal Sub-CodeSpecific MeaningPrimary Suspect
105-3513Printhead not detected / MissingUnlatched carriage or dirty copper contacts
105-3515Printhead registration failureMisaligned printhead latch
105-4001Printhead circuit shortLiquid ink on contacts or hardware failure

Fix 1: Reseat the Printhead (The Snap Test)

The most common cause of error 105-3513 is a printhead that has slightly shifted out of alignment. The mechanical design requires a very firm latching action. To reseat it:

For Kodak ESP Series

Features a central plastic latch. Lift it up to unlock the printhead. When reinstalling, you must push the printhead block straight back until you hear it snap, then flip the latch down firmly.

For Kodak Hero Series

Features a push-button release on the top-left carriage corner. Press the button, lift the printhead block up, and when reinserting, push down on the targets until a loud metallic click occurs.

  1. Open the printer access door and wait for the carriage to glide to the center.
  2. Remove both the black and color ink cartridges and set them aside face-up.
  3. Unlock the printhead using the latch or push-button.
  4. Lift the printhead block straight out of the printer carriage.
  5. Reinstall the printhead: lower it back into the carriage slot, and push firmly against the target label on the printhead until you hear a loud, distinct snap. If you do not hear it snap, it is not fully seated.
  6. Click the ink cartridges back into place and close the printer door.

Fix 2: Clean the Electrical Contacts

If reseating does not clear the code, microscopic dust or ink mist may be blocking the electrical connection.

  1. Remove the printhead again following the steps in Fix 1.
  2. Locate the gold contact pins on the back of the printhead, and the matching contacts inside the carriage assembly.
  3. Using a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth, gently wipe the gold contacts to remove any residue. Do not use water, alcohol, or abrasive cleaners, as these can permanently damage the copper traces.
  4. Reinstall the printhead, ensuring the snap sound occurs, reinsert the inks, and close the cover.
Caution: Avoid touching the printhead nozzle face (the bottom of the printhead block) with your fingers. The natural oils from your skin can clog the micro-nozzles. Wiping should only be done on the rear circuit contacts.

Fix 3: Power Reset the Printer

If the error persists, clear the printer's temporary cache memory to force it to re-detect the hardware.

  1. With the printer turned on, pull the power cord directly out of the back of the machine.
  2. Unplug the power adapter /error-codes-alerts/dymo-labelwriter-550-not-printing-power-adapter" title="Fix DYMO LabelWriter 550 Not Printing (RFID & Power Adapter)">power adapter from the wall outlet.
  3. Wait a full 60 seconds to allow the internal capacitors to discharge completely.
  4. Plug the power cord back into the wall (avoid surge protectors for this test) and reconnect it to the printer. Turn the printer on.

When to Call a Professional

If you have reseated the printhead multiple times, cleaned the contacts, and performed a hard reset, but error 105-3513 refuses to clear, the printhead's internal circuitry has likely failed. Because Kodak has discontinued its inkjet printer lines, replacement parts are scarce.

Weigh the cost of a refurbished printhead from third-party sellers against upgrading to a modern printer before purchasing a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does error 105-3513 mean I need to buy a new printhead?
Not necessarily. A large majority of cases are caused by a loose latch or slightly dirty contact pins. Always try unlatching, wiping with a dry microfiber cloth, and snapping it back in firmly first.
What does a loud snap mean during installation?
It confirms the printhead carriage springs are fully compressed and the unit is securely latched. A quiet or soft insertion usually means the pins are not touching the circuit board.
Can I clean the printhead with alcohol?
No. Alcohol or liquid cleaning solutions can damage the carriage circuit board contacts. Stick to a dry, clean microfiber wipe.

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Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Senior Hardware Technician

Marcus Vance is a former HP-certified Senior Hardware Technician with over 15 years of hands-on experience repairing both enterprise copiers and consumer printers. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and multiple vendor-specific hardware certifications from Canon, Zebra, and Epson. When he isn't tearing down malfunctioning printheads in the lab, Marcus contributes to open-source hardware repair forums.