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HP LaserJet Pro P1606dn Printer Troubleshooting

Blinking Lights

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Introduction

The lights on the control panel indicate the product status. These lights can be on, off, or blinking, depending on the status of the product. The lights can all blink in distinct patterns to indicate the product status or potential error conditions.
NOTE:This document describes the light patterns on your product as blinking or flashing lights. In this document, "flashing" means the same as "blinking."The product in the illustration below might not look exactly like your product, but the control panel buttons are the same.
Figure 1: HP LaserJet Pro P1566
Illustration of HP LaserJet Pro P1566 control panel (P1606dn not shown).
1 - Toner light
2 - Attention light
3 - Ready light
4 - Go light
5 - Go button
6 - Cancel button
Control panel light legend
Symbol for “light off”
Symbol for “light on”
Symbol for “light blinking”

Blinking lights

The following sections describe the most common combinations of blinking lights, followed by solutions for each combination. Find the blinking lights pattern you are experiencing, and then follow the steps to resolve the issue.
NOTE:There might be more than one solution for some blinking lights patterns. After you find the pattern that matches your blinking lights pattern, try each solution to resolve the issue.
Issue: All lights off
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All the lights are off. The product is in Auto-Off mode or is turned off.
Press the Power button ( ) to deactivate the Auto-Off mode or turn on the product.
Issue: All lights off and Power button backlight on
The formatter might not be connected to the product correctly. Follow these steps to restart the product.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn off the product.
  2. Wait 30 seconds, and then press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.
  3. Wait for the product to initialize.
Issue: Attention, Ready, and Go lights cycle
The formatter inside the product is initializing.
No action required. Wait for the cleaning process to end. The product enters the Ready state when the cleaning process is finished.
Issue: All lights cycle
The product is processing a cleaning page.
No action required. Wait for the cleaning process to end. The product enters the Ready state when the cleaning process is finished.
Issue: Ready light on
The product is in the Ready state.
No action required. The product is ready to receive a print job.
Issue: Ready light blinking
The product is receiving or processing data.
No action is required. The product is receiving or processing a print job.
Press the Cancel button ( ) to cancel the print job.
Issue: Attention light blinking
The product has experienced an error that can be corrected at the product, such as no packing material inside the product, an open door, no paper in the proper tray, a missing print cartridge, or a paper jam.
IMPORTANT: You must follow these solutions in the order presented to resolve the issue.

Solution one: Check to make sure that there is no packing material inside the product

Follow these steps to check for and remove any packing material from inside the product.
  1. Open the print cartridge door.
    Figure 2: Open the print cartridge door
    Illustration: Open the print cartridge door.
  2. Lift up the paper packing, but do not remove it.
    Figure 3: Lift the paper packing
    Illustration: Lift the paper packing.
  3. Remove the print cartridge packing material.
    Figure 4: Remove the print cartridge packing material
    Illustration: Remove the print cartridge packing material.
  4. Remove the print cartridge from the product.
    Figure 5: Remove the print cartridge
    Illustration: Remove the print cartridge.
    CAUTION:To prevent damage to the print cartridge, hold the print cartridge at each end.
  5. Remove the packing material from inside the product.
    Figure 6: Remove the packing material from inside the product
    Illustration: Remove the packing material from inside the product.
  6. Remove the orange clip from the end of the print cartridge.
    Figure 7: Remove the orange clip from the print cartridge
    Illustration: Remove the orange clip from the print cartridge.
  7. Gently rock the print cartridge back and forth to distribute the toner evenly.
    Figure 8: Rock the print cartridge
    Illustration: Rock the print cartridge.
  8. Bend the tab on the left side of the print cartridge until the tab breaks loose. Pull the tab to remove all the sealing tape from the print cartridge.
    Figure 9: Remove the sealing tape
    Illustration: Remove the sealing tape.
    CAUTION:If toner gets on your clothing, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water sets toner into the fabric .
  9. Insert the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 10: Insert the print cartridge and close the door
    Illustration: Insert the print cartridge and close the door.

Solution two: Make sure that the print cartridge door is closed

Follow these steps to open and close the print cartridge door.
  1. Open the print cartridge door.
    Figure 11: Open the print cartridge door
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door.
  2. Close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 12: Close the print cartridge door
    Illustration of closing the print cartridge door.

Solution three: Check to see if there is paper loaded in the product

If there is no paper loaded in the product, follow these steps to load paper.
  1. Raise the priority input tray, and then slide the paper length and width guides to their outermost positions.
    Figure 13: Slide out paper guides
    Illustration: Slide out paper guides.
  2. Load plain paper in the main input tray with the top forward and the print side up.
    Figure 14: Load paper
    Illustration: Load paper into the main input tray.
  3. Slide the paper guides inward so that they rest against the stack of paper.
    NOTE:To prevent jams and skewing, always adjust the side and front paper guides.
    Figure 15: Adjust the paper guides
    Illustration: Adjust the paper guides
  4. Lower the priority tray.
    Figure 16: Lower the priority tray
    Illustration: Lower the priority tray.

Solution four: Check to see if the print cartridge is installed

There might not be a print cartridge installed in your product. If there is no cartridge installed in your product, follow these steps to install a new print cartridge.
  1. Open the print cartridge door.
    Figure 17: Open the print cartridge door
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door.
  2. Remove the new print cartridge from its package. Place the used print cartridge in the bag and box for recycling.
    Figure 18: Remove new cartridge from package, and then prepare old cartridge for recycling
    Illustration of removing new cartridge from package and preparing old cartridge for recycling.
    CAUTION:To prevent damage to the print cartridge, hold the print cartridge at each end. Do not touch the cartridge shutter or the roller surface.
  3. Grasp both sides of the print cartridge and gently rock the print cartridge to distribute the toner evenly inside the print cartridge.
    Figure 19: Gently rock the print cartridge
    Illustration of rocking the cartridge.
  4. Bend the tab on the left side of the cartridge until the tab breaks loose, and then pull the tab until all the tape is removed from the cartridge. Place the tab and tape in the print cartridge box to return for recycling.
    Figure 20: Remove the tab from the cartridge and recycle it
    Illustration of removing the tab from the cartridge and preparing it for recycling.
  5. Insert the print cartridge in the product, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 21: Insert the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door
    Illustration of inserting the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.
    CAUTION:If toner gets on your clothing, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water sets toner into the fabric .

Solution five: Check to see if there is a paper jam

There might be paper jammed in your product. Follow these steps clear a paper jam. If the Attention light stops blinking after you remove jammed paper from the product, you can stop troubleshooting.
CAUTION:Before clearing jams, turn the product off, and then disconnect the power cord.
NOTE:When clearing jams, be careful not to tear jammed paper. If a small piece of paper remains in the product, it could cause additional jams

Step one: Locate the jam

Jams can occur at the following locations in the product, and can occur in more than one location.
Figure 22: Jam locations
Illustration of possible jam locations.
1 - Internal areas
2 - Input trays
3 - Output bins
4 - Rear door and duplexer (P1600dn only)

Step two: Remove any loose paper from the product

Remove any loose sheets of paper from the input tray and the output tray.
CAUTION:Do not remove jammed paper at this stage. Trying to clear jammed paper from the front of the product can damage the print mechanism.
Remove any loose paperDo not pull jammed paper
Illustration of removing loose paper.Illustration cautioning against pulling jammed paper.

Step three: Clear a jam from inside the product

Follow these steps to clear a jam from inside the product.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 23: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove print cartridge
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. If you can see the jammed paper, carefully grasp the jammed paper, and then slowly pull it out of the product.
    Figure 24: Remove jammed paper from inside the product
    Illustration of removing jammed paper.
  3. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 25: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge and closing the print cartridge door.

Step four: Clear a jam from the input tray

Follow these steps to clear a jam from the input tray.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 26: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. Remove the paper stack from the input tray.
  3. With both hands, grasp the side of the jammed paper that is most visible (this includes the middle), and carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 27: Remove jammed paper from input tray
    Illustration of removing jammed paper from input tray.
  4. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 28: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.

Step five: Clear a jam from the output areas

Follow these steps to clear a jam from the output areas.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 29: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove print cartridge.
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. Keep the print cartridge door open, and then with both hands, grasp the side of the jammed paper that is most visible (this includes the middle), and then carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 30: Remove jammed paper from output area
    Illustration of removing a paper jam from the output area.
  3. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 31: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.

Step six: Clear a jam from the rear of the product (P1606dn only)

Follow these steps to clear a jam from the rear of the product.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 32: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove print cartridge.
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. Open the rear door.
    Figure 33: Open the rear door
    Illustration of opening the rear door.
  3. With both hands, grasp the side of the jammed paper that is most visible (this includes the middle), and then carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 34: Remove jammed paper from rear of product
    Illustration of removing jammed paper from rear of product.
  4. Close the rear door.
    Figure 35: Close rear door
    Illustration of closing the rear door.
  5. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 36: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.
Issue: Attention light blinking and Ready light on
The product has experienced a continual error.

Solution one: Recover from the error and print available data

Press the Go button ( ) to recover from the error and print the available data.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution two: Clear a paper jam

Follow these steps clear a paper jam. If the Attention light stops blinking after you remove jammed paper from the product, you can stop troubleshooting.
CAUTION:Before clearing jams, turn the product off, and then disconnect the power cord.
NOTE:When clearing jams, be careful not to tear jammed paper. If a small piece of paper remains in the product, it could cause additional jams

Step one: Locate the jam

Jams can occur at the following locations in the product, and can occur in more than one location.
Figure 37: Jam locations
Illustration of possible jam locations.
1 - Internal areas
2 - Input trays
3 - Output bins
4 - Rear door and duplexer (P1600dn only)

Step two: Remove any loose paper from the product

Remove any loose sheets of paper from the input tray and the output tray.
CAUTION:Do not remove jammed paper at this stage. Trying to clear jammed paper from the front of the product can damage the print mechanism.
Remove any loose paperDo not pull jammed paper
Illustration of removing loose paper.Illustration cautioning against pulling jammed paper.

Step three: Clear a jam from inside the product

Follow these steps to clear a jam from inside the product.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 38: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove print cartridge
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. If you can see the jammed paper, carefully grasp the jammed paper, and then slowly pull it out of the product.
    Figure 39: Remove jammed paper from inside the product
    Illustration of removing jammed paper.
  3. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 40: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge and closing the print cartridge door.

Step four: Clear a jam from the input tray

Follow these steps to clear a jam from the input tray.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 41: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. Remove the paper stack from the input tray.
  3. With both hands, grasp the side of the jammed paper that is most visible (this includes the middle), and carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 42: Remove jammed paper from input tray
    Illustration of removing jammed paper from input tray.
  4. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 43: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.

Step five: Clear a jam from the output areas

Follow these steps to clear a jam from the output areas.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 44: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove print cartridge.
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. Keep the print cartridge door open, and then with both hands, grasp the side of the jammed paper that is most visible (this includes the middle), and then carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 45: Remove jammed paper from output area
    Illustration of removing a paper jam from the output area.
  3. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 46: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.

Step six: Clear a jam from the rear of the product (P1606dn only)

Follow these steps to clear a jam from the rear of the product.
  1. Open the print cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 47: Open the print cartridge door, and then remove print cartridge.
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door, and then removing the print cartridge.
  2. Open the rear door.
    Figure 48: Open the rear door
    Illustration of opening the rear door.
  3. With both hands, grasp the side of the jammed paper that is most visible (this includes the middle), and then carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 49: Remove jammed paper from rear of product
    Illustration of removing jammed paper from rear of product.
  4. Close the rear door.
    Figure 50: Close rear door
    Illustration of closing the rear door.
  5. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 51: Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Illustration of reinstalling the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.
Issue: Attention, Ready, and Go lights on
The product has experienced a fatal error from which it cannot recover. Follow the steps below to restart the product.
  1. Press the Power Button ( ) to turn off the product.
  2. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the product, and then wait 30 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the power cord to the back of the product.
  4. Press the Power Button ( ) to turn on the product.
Issue: Ready and Toner lights on
The print cartridge is near the estimated end of life. Follow these steps to install a new print cartridge.
  1. Open the print cartridge door.
    Figure 52: Open the print cartridge door
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door.
  2. Remove the new print cartridge from its package. Place the used print cartridge in the bag and box for recycling.
    Figure 53: Remove new cartridge from package, and then prepare old cartridge for recycling
    Illustration of removing new cartridge from package and preparing old cartridge for recycling.
    CAUTION:To prevent damage to the print cartridge, hold the print cartridge at each end. Do not touch the cartridge shutter or the roller surface.
  3. Grasp both sides of the print cartridge and gently rock the print cartridge to distribute the toner evenly inside the print cartridge.
    Figure 54: Gently rock the print cartridge
    Illustration of rocking the cartridge.
  4. Bend the tab on the left side of the cartridge until the tab breaks loose, and then pull the tab until all the tape is removed from the cartridge. Place the tab and tape in the print cartridge box to return for recycling.
    Figure 55: Remove the tab from the cartridge and recycle it
    Illustration of removing the tab from the cartridge and preparing it for recycling.
  5. Insert the print cartridge in the product, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 56: Insert the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door
    Illustration of inserting the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.
    CAUTION:If toner gets on your clothing, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water sets toner into the fabric .
Issue: Toner light blinking
There is packing material inside the product or there is no print cartridge installed. Follow these steps to check to make sure that you have removed the packing material from inside the product or install a print cartridge.

Solution one: Check to make sure that there is no packing material inside the product

Follow these steps to check for and remove any packing material from inside the product.
  1. Open the print cartridge door.
    Figure 57: Open the print cartridge door
    Illustration: Open the print cartridge door.
  2. Lift up the paper packing, but do not remove it.
    Figure 58: Lift the paper packing
    Illustration: Lift the paper packing.
  3. Remove the print cartridge packing material.
    Figure 59: Remove the print cartridge packing material
    Illustration: Remove the print cartridge packing material.
  4. Remove the print cartridge from the product.
    Figure 60: Remove the print cartridge
    Illustration: Remove the print cartridge.
    CAUTION:To prevent damage to the print cartridge, hold the print cartridge at each end.
  5. Remove the packing material from inside the product.
    Figure 61: Remove the packing material from inside the product
    Illustration: Remove the packing material from inside the product.
  6. Remove the orange clip from the end of the print cartridge.
    Figure 62: Remove the orange clip from the print cartridge
    Illustration: Remove the orange clip from the print cartridge.
  7. Gently rock the print cartridge back and forth to distribute the toner evenly.
    Figure 63: Rock the print cartridge
    Illustration: Rock the print cartridge.
  8. Bend the tab on the left side of the print cartridge until the tab breaks loose. Pull the tab to remove all the sealing tape from the print cartridge.
    Figure 64: Remove the sealing tape
    Illustration: Remove the sealing tape.
    CAUTION:If toner gets on your clothing, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water sets toner into the fabric .
  9. Insert the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 65: Insert the print cartridge and close the door
    Illustration: Insert the print cartridge and close the door.

Solution two: Install a print cartridge

Follow these steps to install a new print cartridge.
  1. Open the print cartridge door.
    Figure 66: Open the print cartridge door
    Illustration of opening the print cartridge door.
  2. Remove the new print cartridge from its package. Place the used print cartridge in the bag and box for recycling.
    Figure 67: Remove new cartridge from package, and then prepare old cartridge for recycling
    Illustration of removing new cartridge from package and preparing old cartridge for recycling.
    CAUTION:To prevent damage to the print cartridge, hold the print cartridge at each end. Do not touch the cartridge shutter or the roller surface.
  3. Grasp both sides of the print cartridge and gently rock the print cartridge to distribute the toner evenly inside the print cartridge.
    Figure 68: Gently rock the print cartridge
    Illustration of rocking the cartridge.
  4. Bend the tab on the left side of the cartridge until the tab breaks loose, and then pull the tab until all the tape is removed from the cartridge. Place the tab and tape in the print cartridge box to return for recycling.
    Figure 69: Remove the tab from the cartridge and recycle it
    Illustration of removing the tab from the cartridge and preparing it for recycling.
  5. Insert the print cartridge in the product, and then close the print cartridge door.
    Figure 70: Insert the print cartridge, and then close the print cartridge door
    Illustration of inserting the print cartridge, and then closing the print cartridge door.
    CAUTION:If toner gets on your clothing, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water sets toner into the fabric .

Service the product

If you have completed all the preceding steps and are still experiencing a problem, service the product.
Determine if your product is in warranty or out of warranty. If you need help determining your product’s warranty status, go to HP’s Warranty Check Tool .
  • If your product is in warranty , contact HP.
  • If your product is out of warranty , click here to view additional printer support options starting as low as $20.