HP error 0x83c0000a (printer failure on OfficeJet Pro 6900/8700 series)
0x83c0000a is a 'Printer Failure' code on the OfficeJet Pro 6900 and 8700 series that use the 902/903 and 952/953 cartridges. Codes starting 0x83c are raised by the printer's firmware when a hardware subsystem, most often the carriage and printhead assembly, fails a check or stalls. The screen usually says 'There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off, then on.'
What causes it
- Carriage blocked by a scrap of paper or a loose object
- Printhead not seated fully after a cartridge change
- Dirty encoder strip causing the carriage to lose position
- A firmware glitch, especially after an interrupted update
- Printhead or carriage electronics failure
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Do a proper power reset
While the printer is on, unplug the power cord from the back, wait 60 seconds, then reconnect and turn on. Do not press the power button while the cord is out. The printer re-tests the carriage on start-up and many 0x83c0000a events clear at this point.
Open the cartridge door and check the carriage
Lift the door, let the carriage move to the middle, and check the rails, the area under the carriage and the right-hand service station for paper fragments. Remove anything you find and restart.
Check the duplexer and rear door
Remove the rear access panel and duplexer, look for jammed paper and refit them firmly. A duplexer that is not latched causes the printer to fail initialisation on these models.
Reseat the cartridges and printhead
Remove each cartridge and push it back in until it clicks. On the 8710 family the printhead is part of the carriage and should not be removed, but on the 6970 you can lift the carriage latch and refit the printhead. Close the door and restart.
Wipe the encoder strip
Unplug the printer, find the thin transparent strip behind the carriage, and wipe it gently with a dry lint-free cloth. Avoid stretching or creasing it.
Reinstall or update firmware
If the printer reaches the home screen, update firmware through HP Smart or the printer's embedded web server. If the error appeared right after an update, HP's firmware recovery procedure for the model (available on the HP support site) can reload the firmware over USB.
Run a semi-full reset
On the touchscreen tap the back arrow four times to reach Support Menu, then Resets, Semi Full Reset. The printer reboots and clears the stored fault.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
Are 0x83c0000a and 0x83c0000b the same fault?
They belong to the same 0x83c printer failure family on the OfficeJet Pro 6900 and 8700 series and are resolved with the same steps. The last digits identify which internal check failed and are not meaningful to the user.
Why did the error appear right after a firmware update?
An interrupted or partially applied update can leave the carriage control firmware in a bad state. HP publishes a firmware recovery utility for affected models that reloads it over USB.
Can I still use the printer over USB?
No. The failure halts the print engine regardless of connection type until the fault is cleared.
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