HP Printer Error Codes: E0, E2, E3, E4 and Error State

Quick Answer

HP printer error codes like E0, E2, E3, and E4 indicate carriage or paper jams. The primary fix is to clear any physical obstructions and perform a power reset by unplugging the printer for 60 seconds.

These codes are usually telling you something physical is blocking the carriage or the printer just lost track of where it is. Ignore them long enough and you'll burn out the carriage motor or strip the plastic gears, and then you've got a paperweight. I usually see E3 and E4 on printers where someone yanked the paper out too hard. Takes about 10 minutes to sort out if it's actually a jam.

HpPrinter

About These Hp Printer Error Codes

When an HP printer throws a code, it's usually trying to protect the printhead or the carriage motor from burning out. I've seen countless ENVY and DeskJet models get stuck in a loop because of a tiny scrap of paper or a non-genuine cartridge chip. The key is figuring out fast whether you're dealing with a mechanical jam or a software issue, because those two problems have totally different fixes and one of them is completely free.

Most Common Error Codes

Paper jam or carriage jam40%

Ink cartridge not recognized24%

Print head failure14%

Internal hardware failure12%

Paper size mismatch10%

Symptoms You May Notice

The control panel is stuck on E0, E2, E3, or E4 and won't clear no matter how many times you hit Resume or OK.
The Resume or Attention light blinks repeatedly in a specific pattern, which is basically the printer's Morse code for a specific error on older models without a screen.
Windows shows the printer stuck in an 'Error State' in Devices and Printers even though the thing looks powered on and totally fine.
You send a print job, hear the carriage start moving, and then it stops dead mid-path and the error code pops up.
The printer sits completely silent and unresponsive with just a single blinking light, won't react to button presses at all.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver (for removing rear access panels on OfficeJet models)Flashlight or phone flashlight (for spotting torn paper scraps in the carriage path)Lint-free cloth (for cleaning ink cartridge gold contacts and the encoder strip)Distilled water (tap water leaves mineral deposits on the contacts)USB cable (for connecting directly to your computer during firmware updates)Computer with internet access (for downloading HP firmware and the Easy Start utility)

How to Identify Your Error Code

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my HP printer keep showing errors with non-HP cartridges?

HP uses something called Dynamic Security that talks to the chip embedded in your ink cartridge. If the firmware detects a chip it doesn't recognize or one that's been flagged in a recent update, it'll throw a Cartridge Problem error even if the cart is brand new and completely full. I've seen this happen overnight when HP pushed a firmware update that suddenly locked out carts that had worked fine for months. Try cleaning the gold contacts on the cartridge with a lint-free cloth and distilled water first. But if that doesn't work, you'll probably need a genuine HP cartridge to reset the handshake.

How do I do a hard reset on an HP printer?

A true hard reset is more than a quick power cycle. Unplug the cord from the back of the unit while it's still powered on, then unplug the wall end too. Wait a full 60 seconds and hold the power button on the printer for 15 seconds to drain the board capacitors. When you plug it back in, go straight to the wall outlet. I've seen HP printers fail to initialize properly on cheap power strips because the strip can't deliver the initial amperage surge the carriage motor needs to home correctly on boot.

HP support says my printer needs service. Is it worth repairing?

Honest answer from someone who's been doing this for 15 years: if you've got a DeskJet or ENVY that cost under $100 new, any repair beyond a basic reset probably isn't worth your money. The printhead alone on those models often costs as much as a whole new unit. But if you've got an OfficeJet Pro or a LaserJet, those are built with serviceable, replaceable parts and it's a totally different conversation. Seeing a 0x code on a high-end model? Try a new printhead before you give up. For the budget inkjets, once the gears start grinding, just recycle it.

What does E3 specifically mean on an HP printer?

E3 on most HP DeskJet and ENVY models means there's a carriage jam, the printhead assembly is physically blocked and can't travel across the path. It's probably the most common code I get called about. Usually it's a tiny piece of torn paper caught underneath the carriage or jammed into the left end cap area where you can't see it without a flashlight. Shine your phone light in there carefully before poking around. Sometimes it's a swollen cartridge pressing against the carriage walls. Pull the carts out and see if the carriage slides freely by hand before you do anything else.

Can I fix the 0x97 error myself or do I need a technician?

0x97 is one of the nastier ones. It usually signals an internal hardware failure, often the printhead or the main logic board. But before you give up, do the full capacitor-drain power cycle I described and then run a firmware update over USB. I cleared three 0x97 errors just last month doing exactly those two things in that order. If your printer's still under warranty, call HP and say '0x97' specifically, they've replaced printers for this error. Out of warranty and the firmware trick didn't work? You're probably looking at a repair bill that's more than a new printer costs.

Related Hp Printer Error Codes

Code: E0HP Printer E0: Carriage Jam Code: 0x97HP Printer 0x97: Internal Failure Code: ERROR-STATEHP Printer Error State: Windows Fix

Models Known to Experience HUB Errors

This repair applies to most Hp printers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

DeskJet 2700e, DeskJet 4100e, OfficeJet Pro 9015e, OfficeJet Pro 8025e, ENVY 6055e, ENVY Inspire 7955e, LaserJet Pro M404n

Written by

Sarah Kim

Smart Home & Specialty Appliance Tech · 12 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026