Fix HP Photosmart Printers Error 0xc18a0106

This article provides a few solutions to the HP printer error 0xc18a0106. Follow the steps mentioned below if you are facing this error.

Cause

This problem is usually caused by a failed or an outdated microchip or due to an interruption during the installation of a new cartridge. The error states that the ink system has failed.

NOTE: Most of the problems are caused by the last cartridge that is inserted, so it should be replaced first. All the cartridges must have ink before taking these steps and empty cartridges must be replaced.

Solutions

1: Switching printer off and on

First, the ‘Ok’ ‘Cancel’ ‘Black’ and ‘Color’ buttons must be pressed simultaneously while the printer is switched off and on again.

This must be done twice.

2: Resetting the printer

While the printer is switched on the USB cable must be disconnected from the printer and all the cartridges removed.

Then users must wait for the ‘Insert Cartridges’ message to appear on the control panel.

Next, the power cord must be disconnected from the printer and then users must wait for about a minute and then reconnect the cord.

Now in case, the printer doesn’t turn on by itself the power button must be pressed.

Next, the cartridges must be reinserted, and all doors of the printer must be closed.

If there’s a prompt for printing a calibration page, users must do it.

Next, the USB cable must be reconnected to the printer and printing must be tried again.

3: Trying the ink initialization process

Users must first access the ‘Support Menu’ by taking these steps:

While pressing down the ‘*’ key, the ‘#’ key must be pressed and then both keys released.

The printer’s display should now show ‘Enter Special Key Combo’. The ‘1’ ‘2’ and ‘3’ buttons must now be pressed and released in that sequence and then the display should show ‘Support’.

Next, the right arrow button must be pressed and released until the display shows ‘System Configuration Menu’.

Then the ‘Ok’ button must be pressed and released, and the display should now show ‘Hardware failure status’. If it doesn’t the arrow key must be moved to ‘Hardware failure status’.

Now the ‘Ok’ button must be pressed and released, and the display should now show ‘Hardware failure status cleared. Press Cancel to continue’.

Then the ‘Cancel’ button must be pressed and released as long as needed until either the ‘Welcome’ screen or the ‘Ink System Failure’ screen is seen.

NOTE: Users must not try printing at this point.

Now the power button must be pressed to turn off the printer and the power cable must be unplugged from the printer and the wall outlet.

After waiting for 30 seconds till the power is discharged the power cable must be plugged back into the wall outlet and only then into the printer.

Now the printer must be switched on. Now the following messages might appear: ‘Use power button to shut down the printer’ and then ‘Press OK to continue’. The ‘OK’ button must be pressed now.

If the printer has started, users must check if the printer is functioning by printing a self-test page. If the print is successful, the printer is ready for use.

If the printer doesn’t initialize, it will begin the ‘One-time ink initialization process’. Users must let this process complete and when it’s over a diagnostic page will be printed out.