HP Laserjet Pro M15W, M14-M17 Printer Series - Blinking Lights

This document is for HP LaserJet Pro M15a, M15w, M16a, M17a, and M17w printers.

The following sections describe error conditions with blinking (flashing) lights displayed on the printer control panel, followed by solutions for each error. Find the blinking light pattern that displays on the control panel, and then follow the steps to resolve the issue.

Wireless button and light
Attention light
Power button and light
Resume/Cancel button

Attention light blinks

The Attention light

blinks when the printer is in an error state.

Attention light blinks, and 'Front Door Open' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge access door is open or not closed completely. To resolve the error, open the toner cartridge access door, and then close it completely.

Attention light blinks, and 'Out of Paper' displays

This condition occurs when the input tray is empty. To resolve the error, load paper into the input tray. For more information about loading paper, go to Loading Paper, Envelopes.

Attention light blinks, and a paper jam message displays

This condition occurs when paper is jammed inside the printer. One of the following messages might display on the computer screen:

Printer paper jam
Paper Jam in Tray
Paper Jam in Output Tray

Find and clear the printer of any jammed paper, or reset the printer if the printer has no jammed paper. For more information about resolving paper jam issues, go to Paper Jam Error.

Attention light blinks, and 'Toner Missing' or 'Supply memory error' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge is missing or not installed correctly. To resolve the issue, correctly install the toner cartridge.

Step 1: Examine the toner cartridge area

Open the toner cartridge access door, and then make sure the toner cartridge is installed correctly. Remove the toner cartridge, and then slide it back into its slot until it is firmly seated.

For more information about removing and installing the toner cartridge, go to Replacing the Toner Cartridge.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention light blinks, and 'Cartridge Low' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge is low. Press the Resume/Cancel button

to continue printing with the current toner cartridge. If print quality is unacceptable, replace the toner cartridge.

NOTE:
You do not need to replace the toner cartridge until print quality is unacceptable.

Step 1: Replace the low toner cartridge

Replace the toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge.

For more information about replacing the toner cartridge, go to Replacing the Toner Cartridge.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention light blinks, and 'Cartridge Very Low' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge is very low. Press the Resume/Cancel button

to continue printing with the current toner cartridge. When print quality becomes unacceptable, replace the toner cartridge.

Step 1: Replace the very low toner cartridge

Replace the toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge.

For more information about replacing the toner cartridge, go to Replacing the Toner Cartridge.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention light blinks, and 'HP Protected Cartridge Installed' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge has been protected on another printer. To resolve the issue, replace the toner cartridge.

Step 1: Replace the toner cartridge

Replace the toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge.

For more information about replacing the toner cartridge, go to Replacing the Toner Cartridge.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention light blinks, and 'Incompatible Cartridge' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge is not compatible with the printer. To resolve the issue, replace the toner cartridge.

Step 1: Replace the toner cartridge

Replace the toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge.

For more information about replacing the toner cartridge, go to Replacing the Toner Cartridge.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention light blinks, and 'Unauthorized Cartridge' displays

This condition occurs when the toner cartridge is unauthorized. To resolve the issue, replace it with a genuine HP toner cartridge.

Step 1: Replace the toner cartridge

Replace the toner cartridge with a genuine HP toner cartridge.

For more information about replacing the toner cartridge, go to Replacing the Toner Cartridge.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention light blinks, and 'Paper Size Mismatch' displays

This condition occurs when the paper loaded in the input tray is not the correct size for the print job. To resolve the error, load the correct size paper in the input tray, or change the print settings to match the paper type loaded in the tray.

For more information about resolving the Paper Size Mismatch message, go to 'Paper Mismatch' Error (Windows) or 'Paper Mismatch' Error (Mac), depending on your operating system.

Attention light blinks, and 'Print on Both Sides Instructions' displays

This condition occurs when the printer is processing a manual duplexing (two-sided) print job and cannot complete the print job until the input tray is loaded.

To finish the print job, remove the stack of printed pages from the output tray, and then load the stack with the printed side down and the top edge of the stack toward the printer. Press the Resume/Cancel button

to print the second sides.

Wireless light blinks

The Wireless light

blinks when a connection is configuring or when the printer cannot find a wireless signal or cannot connect to the network.

Step 1: Wait for the printer to establish a connection

The Wireless light blinks when the printer is attempting to connect to the wireless router or access point. Wait a few minutes, and then check the light again.

If the Wireless light is on and steady, the printer is connected and you can stop troubleshooting.
If the Wireless light is still blinking, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Check for issues with the wireless network

The following factors can cause the printer to lose the wireless connection:

The network connection is no longer active, or has low signal strength.
The printer goes into sleep mode or standby mode.
The printer is either too far away from the wireless router, or too close to it. The recommended distance between the printer and the router is 1.0 meter to 1.5 meters (3 ft to 5 ft).
A firewall prevents the printer from accessing the computer and wireless network.
A nearby device that emits radio signals (such as a microwave or cordless telephone) might interfere with the wireless connection.
A virtual private network (VPN) prevents the printer from accessing the computer and wireless network.

Check the Wireless light after correcting any items on the list.

If the Wireless light is on and steady, the printer is connected and you can stop troubleshooting.
If the Wireless light is still blinking, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Connect the printer to your network

For more information about connecting the printer to the wireless network by installing the printer software, see Wireless Printer Setup (Windows) or Wireless Printer Setup (Mac), depending on your operating system.

Attention and Ready lights are on

This condition occurs when the printer is in a fatal error state.

Step 1: Reset the printer

Reset the printer to clear the printer error.

With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.
Unplug the power cord from the power source.
Wait 60 seconds.
Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and to the printer.

NOTE:
HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Plug the printer directly into an electrical outlet

Plug the printer directly into an electrical outlet to make sure the power source functions correctly.

Unplug the power cord from any surge protector, extension cable, or power strip.
Plug the power cord directly into a wall outlet.
Turn on the printer.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Service the printer

If you have completed all the previous steps and the issue persists, continue to the Service the printer section at the end of this document.

Attention and Ready lights blink

This condition occurs when the printer is too hot to continue printing. To resume printing, wait for the printer to cool down.

Service the printer

Service or replace your HP product if the issue persists after completing all the preceding steps.

https://support.hp.com/