- Printers
- Inkjet printer
printer-failure
HP Printer Failure on inkjet printer: printer or ink system
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Printer Failure: There is a problem with the printer or ink system on your HP usually comes from air detected in the ink supply. Turn it off and on, check the printer is level, look in the EWS for supplies in error and replace any that are low.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Switch the printer off and unplug it before moving or levelling it, and never remove screwed covers or touch the power supply.
- Do not open the ink supply unit or try to prime the system by hand; HP or an authorised service handles that part.
Safe checks you can perform
- Turn the printer off and back on
- Do the round object roll test
- Check the supplies in the EWS
- Replace every ink cartridge
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Case with HP support
- Do not attempt this professional task: HP authorised service provider
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.
Case with HP support
What they doIf the message remains with the printer level and new supplies, contact HP at www.hp.com/go/contactHP so it can check the SHAID sensor or priming system.
They must show youthe steps already done, the EWS supplies page and a test print after the repair.
In writingthe case number, the cause found and the warranty status.
HP authorised service provider
What they doAs an alternative to direct support, HP lets you use an HP-authorised service or support provider to diagnose and repair the printer.
They must show youthe printer error or supplies log and the final test print.
In writingthe parts replaced, the reason and whether the repair is 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.
Turn the printer off and back on
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- turn the printer off, wait until it has fully shut down and turn it on again; let it finish starting up before printing.
- Result that matters:
- the Printer Failure message not coming back.
- If the message is gone after start-up:
- try printing as usual.
- If the message stays:
- check that the printer is level.
- Evidence to keep:
- time of the restart and whether the message repeats.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
Do the round object roll test
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- face the supply door and place a small round object such as a marble or ball on top of the printer; ideally it should not roll, and if it rolls to the back and to the left HP treats the printer as level.
- Result that matters:
- confirming the printer is level before going further.
- If it does not roll, or rolls to the back and left:
- move on to the supplies.
- If it rolls in any other direction:
- level the printer and repeat the test.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the printer in place and the direction the object rolled.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
Check the supplies in the EWS
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- type the printer IP address into a web browser to open the Embedded Web Server (EWS), see which supplies are in an error state, remove them and replace any that feel low or empty.
- Result that matters:
- finding the supply behind the message.
- If one supply was in error and replacing it clears the message:
- solved.
- If the error stays or the EWS will not open:
- replace all supplies with new ink cartridges.
- Evidence to keep:
- screenshot of the EWS supplies page.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
Replace every ink cartridge
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- if the message continues or you cannot reach the EWS, replace all the supplies with new ink cartridges as HP describes and test again.
- Result that matters:
- ruling the supplies out completely.
- If with all new supplies the message clears:
- the problem was in the supply.
- If it persists with new cartridges:
- contact HP support or an authorised service.
- Evidence to keep:
- the date you fitted the new supplies and their numbers.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
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
- HP fallo de la impresora
- HP impresora fallo sistema de tinta aire
- HP Printer Failure
- HP printer failure air in ink supply
- HP printer failure ink system
- HP printer failure not level
- HP Printer Failure SHAID
- HP problema con la impresora o el sistema de tinta
- HP There is a problem with the printer or ink system
What it means
According to HP, the Printer Failure: There is a problem with the printer or ink system message generally appears when the SHAID sensor detects air in the ink supply unit. It can also come from SHAID not working correctly, the priming system failing, an empty supply, froth in a supply or stranded ink because the printer is not level. HP does not name specific models in this document. The message alone does not tell you which part is at fault: HP's steps separate levelling, supplies and an actual hardware problem.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Lowsource verified
Switch the printer off and unplug it before moving or levelling it, and never remove screwed covers or touch the power supply.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
- Mediumsource verified
Do not open the ink supply unit or try to prime the system by hand; HP or an authorised service handles that part.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Air detected in the ink supplyCommon
HP explains that the error is generally caused when the SHAID sensor detects air in the ink supply unit.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
- Printer not levelPossible
One of the causes HP gives is stranded ink because the printer is not level, which is why it proposes the round object roll test.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
- Empty or frothy supplyPossible
HP lists an empty ink supply or froth in a supply as other triggers, which show up when you check the supplies in error.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
- SHAID or priming system faultLess common
HP acknowledges that the SHAID sensor itself or the priming system might not be working correctly; that is a job for its support or an authorised service.
Evidence: Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
Virtual technician
Does printer-failure 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
Printer Failure - There is a problem with the printer or ink system
HP Support · 2026 · official_doc
Was this entry useful?