- Printers
- Inkjet printer
E9
HP DeskJet and Smart Tank E9 error: firmware or ink maintenance
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, and 5800 series and HP Smart Tank 670, 720, and 750 models, code E9 means a firmware update failed or was interrupted. On HP Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457 ink tank printers, E9 signals an ink system maintenance routine that you can finish at home.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not turn off the printer or unplug the USB cable while the HP firmware update utility is actively writing firmware to the machine.
- On HP Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457 models, only open and close the exterior door and printhead access door as instructed in the manual.
Safe checks you can perform
- Power-cycle and wait 15 minutes on DeskJet 2900-5800
- Reinstall the firmware over a USB connection from HP Support
- Complete ink system maintenance on Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: HP Customer Support if USB firmware recovery does not clear E9
- Do not attempt this professional task: Authorized HP service if E9 stays on Smart Tank 450-457
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
HP Customer Support if USB firmware recovery does not clear E9
What they doWhen the official HP firmware update utility over USB cannot complete the installation or code E9 returns after power-cycling, HP Customer Support needs to inspect or service the unit.
They must show youthe control panel flashing E9 and the screen output from the HP firmware update utility over USB.
In writingthe mainboard or firmware diagnosis, the firmware version tested, and the HP case number or service quote.
Authorized HP service if E9 stays on Smart Tank 450-457
What they doIf an HP Smart Tank 450, 455, or 457 still shows E9 after printing the maintenance page and opening and closing the printhead access door three to four times, arrange service with HP.
They must show youhow code E9 remains on the display after cycling the printhead access door four times.
In writingwhich door sensor or ink system component was inspected and whether the repair is covered under warranty.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Power-cycle and wait 15 minutes on DeskJet 2900-5800
- Who:
- you, if you have an HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, or 5800 and do not have a USB cable handy.
- How:
- turn the printer off and back on using the Power button, then wait about 15 minutes without sending print jobs to see if the interrupted firmware update completes on its own.
- Result that matters:
- checking whether the printer can finish the pending firmware installation without a computer.
- If code E9 clears after about 15 minutes:
- the update completed and you can resume normal printing.
- If E and 9 keep flashing after 15 minutes:
- get a USB cable and a Windows or macOS computer ready.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the control panel showing E9 and a note of when you ran the 15-minute wait.
Evidence: HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers - 'E9' error
Reinstall the firmware over a USB connection from HP Support
- Who:
- you, using a Windows or macOS computer and a USB cable connected to the printer.
- How:
- connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable, open HP Software and Driver Downloads for your DeskJet 2900-5800 or Smart Tank 670-750 model, expand Firmware, download and open the HP printer update utility, check your serial number, click Update, and turn the printer off and on when finished.
- Result that matters:
- reloading the complete firmware image so the control panel clears the E9 state.
- If the utility reports a completed update and the panel returns to ready after power-cycling:
- the firmware issue is resolved.
- If the utility cannot detect the printer over USB or E9 stays after updating:
- record the utility message for HP Support.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the HP firmware update utility result and the firmware version number.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers - 'E9' error
Complete ink system maintenance on Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457
- Who:
- you, if your printer is an HP Smart Tank 450, 455, or 457 with a blinking Resume light.
- How:
- make sure plain paper is loaded in the input tray and, if E9 just appeared while printing, let the Ink System Maintenance page finish; if E9 was already on the display, open the exterior door, open and close the printhead access door 3 to 4 times, and close the exterior door.
- Result that matters:
- completing the ink system maintenance cycle on Smart Tank 450-457 printers so code E9 clears.
- If E9 disappears after the maintenance page prints or after cycling the access door 3 to 4 times:
- the printer is ready.
- If E9 remains on your Smart Tank 450-457 after opening and closing the printhead access door 4 times:
- stop and contact HP.
- Evidence to keep:
- the printed Ink System Maintenance page or a brief clip of the control panel after cycling the door.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 450, 455, 457 Ink Tank Printers - 'E9' Error (Ink System Maintenance)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- HP
- Product type
- Inkjet printer
Known code variants
- Aviso E9
- código E9 HP
- código E9 Mabe
- E and 9 HP
- E y 9 HP
- E9
- E9 Error Ink System Maintenance
- E9 no power to C wire
- EMPTY GRATE AND PRESS ON-OFF
- error code E9 Mabe
- error E9 HP
- error E9 lavadora Mabe
- falla E9 Mabe Aqua Saver
- HP code E9
- HP DeskJet E9
- HP E9
- HP error E9
- HP Smart Tank E9
- lavadora Mabe E9
- Mabe Aqua Saver E9
- Mabe E9
- Mabe E9 error
- Mabe Kraken E9
- Mabe washer E9
- Mabe washing machine E9
- mantenimiento del sistema de tinta E9
- Nest E159
- Nest E29
- Nest E79
- Nest E9
- Nest thermostat E9
- termostato Nest E9
- Warning E9
What it means
What code E9 means on the numeric control panel depends on the printer series. On HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, and 5800 printers and on HP Smart Tank 670, 720, and 750 models with an icon display, flashing E and 9 indicates that a firmware update failed or was interrupted before finishing. By contrast, on HP Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457 printers, an E9 error with a blinking Resume light means the printer requires ink system maintenance. Other HP models may assign different meanings to numeric codes, and the alert alone never proves that a circuit board or printhead has failed.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Do not turn off the printer or unplug the USB cable while the HP firmware update utility is actively writing firmware to the machine.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers - 'E9' error
- Lowsource verified
On HP Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457 models, only open and close the exterior door and printhead access door as instructed in the manual.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 450, 455, 457 Ink Tank Printers - 'E9' Error (Ink System Maintenance)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Interrupted or failed printer firmware updateCommon
On HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, and 5800 and HP Smart Tank 670, 720, and 750 printers, HP defines E9 as a firmware update that failed or was interrupted.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers - 'E9' error
- Scheduled ink system maintenance on Smart Tank 450-457Common
On HP Smart Tank 450, 455, and 457 ink tank printers, code E9 with a blinking Resume light indicates that the printer is performing or requesting ink system maintenance.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 450, 455, 457 Ink Tank Printers - 'E9' Error (Ink System Maintenance)
- Power loss or connection drop while applying an updatePossible
If the printer loses power or connection while downloading or writing a firmware update, it stays in the E9 state until the update finishes or is reinstalled over USB.
Evidence: HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers - 'E9' error
Virtual technician
Does E9 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
HP Support · official_doc
- 2
Impresoras HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790: luces parpadeantes y códigos de error
Soporte HP · official_doc
- 3
HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800 Printers - 'E9' error
HP Support · 2025 · official_doc
- 4
Impresoras HP DeskJet 2900, 4300, 5100, 5800: error 'E9'
Soporte HP · 2025 · official_doc
- 5
HP Smart Tank 450, 455, 457 Ink Tank Printers - 'E9' Error (Ink System Maintenance)
HP Support · 2023 · official_doc
- 6
Soporte HP · 2023 · official_doc
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