Ink system failure erorr 0xc18a0306

When powered up press the ink button. This should cause the print head to move to the middle the printer and then back. If it parks properly then everything should be fine. However, if it stops against an ink cartridge it's indicating a problem (no ink/ faulty cartridge). So replace it and repeat the process x3 (ie.for the 3 other cartridges). Once complete the printer should be OK. All this should be covered in the HP user manual.
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Ink system failures can be caused by a number of things. It could be a temporary error, a bad or dirty print head, or a system failure.

For pictures see: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01458034&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=1156652#N998 . Expand the section "any other error code" if you need to.

First try resetting the printer. With the printer on, unplug the power cord from the printer then remove the other plug from the wall outlet. Wait at least 15 seconds. (I also pull the data cable from both the printer and the computer when using a USB cable - some power is provided through this cable.) Then plug the power cord into the wall outlet and then back into the computer. Turn the printer back on if needed. Check if the code is still present.

Next try cleaning the print head. With the power on, open the cartridge access door. Wait until the cartridge carrier stops moving. Remove all of the ink cartridges by pressing on the front tab and lifting them up. Then lift the grey handle and pull the print head straight up.

With bottled or distilled water and lint free clothes (coffee filters will work). Dampen a cloth and wipe the electrical contacts working form bottom to top. Do not touch the ink nozzles. Continue until there is no ink left on the contacts. With another damp cloth, wipe the edge between the nozzles and the electrical contacts working form left to right. (Keep your fingers away from the contacts.) With another damp cloth, wipe the ramps working away from the nozzles. Again continue wiping each area (using extra damp cloths until there is no ink left). Then dry each of these areas with a dry cloth. Take another damp cloth, and wipe the contacts inside the printer. Work from top to bottom on these contacts. Dry the area. Replace the print head, lower the gray lever, and reinstall the ink cartridges. Close the cartridge access door.

If the error persists, try resetting the printer by unplugging it while turned on again.

If the error still persists, either you need a new print head or the unit needs service. If you get a new print head, you will not be able to return it if that doesn't solve the problem.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Press the On button to turn the printer off. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer. Remove all the ink cartridges.
Wait two minutes. Plug the power cord into the back of the printer. Press the On button to turn the printer on. Install the ink cartridges when prompted.

Turn off the machine, unplug the power cord from the back of the machine, remove ink cartridges, wait 2 min, plug power cord back in, press on button, wait until the printer prompts you to replace the missing ink cartridges, then replace the ink cartridges. If this doesn't clear the error you may need to re-prime ink through the lines. There are instructions for doing this at www.ccl-la.com/blog/. Search for HP Photosmart and run through the "ink system failure" #1 instructions.

Turn off the machine using the power button, unplug the power cord from the back of the machine, remove the ink cartridges, wait 2 min, plug the power cord back in, press the power button to turn on the machine, wait until the printer prompts that the ink cartridges are missing, then replace the ink cartridges. If this doesn't fix the problem you may have to re-prime ink through the system. There are instructions for doing this at http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/hp-photosmart-ink-system-failure-1/.

Turn off the machine using the power button, unplug the power cord from the back of the machine, remove the ink cartridges, wait 2 min, plug the power cord back in, turn the machine on using the power button, wait until the printer prompts that the ink cartridges are missing, then replace the ink cartridges. If this doesn't clear the error you may need to re-prime ink through the system. There are instructions for doing this at http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/hp-photosmart-ink-system-failure-1/.

Turn off the machine using the power button, unplug the power cord from the back of the machine, remove the ink cartridges, wait 2 min, plug the power cord back in, press the power button to turn on the printer, wait for the printer to prompt that the ink cartridges are missing, then replace the ink cartridges. If this doesn't clear the error you may need to re-prime the ink cartridges. There is a good explanation of how to do this at http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/hp-photosmart-ink-system-failure-1/.

follow the steps provided below

1. Turn off the product by pressing the On button.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the product.
3. Plug the power cord back into the product.

1. Turn on the product by pressing the On button.

NOTE: Sometimes Ink System Failures cause a carriage stall when the power to the printer is cycled. If the Ink System Failure requires the product to be returned, there is no need to resolve carriage stall issues with the product.

If you have completed all the steps listed above and are still experiencing a problem, service the product.

Here is what you can try:

1. Turn off the power and unplug it from power source.
2. Open the right side of the printer (looking at the front).
3. Disconnect, by pulling gently, both white flat ribbon cables off the main circuit board.
4. Plug in the power source and turn the printer on. Wait till you get a error message and push "OK".
5. Unplug the power source.
6. Reconnect the flat ribbon cables by aligning and carefully pushing them into the conectors on the main circuit board.
7. Plug in the power source and turn the printer on (Printer preparing occurred).
8. The 0xc18a0306 error should now be gone.

http://www.fixya.com/support/t5587774-hp_photosmart_c5180_ink_system_failed

Although it did not work for me, HP offered this as a solution. If it does not work, HP indicate you have a hardware fault that can only be fixed by a service engineer repair.

1. Get the unit into the “Support Menu” by following the steps below :
A. - Press and hold the “left arrow” key.
B. - Press the “Setup” key and release both keys.
Display should say “Enter Special Key Combo”
C. - Press and release the “OK” button.
Display should say “Support” and display the FW rev (something like R0616R)
2. Press and release the right arrow button until the display says “System Configuration Menu”.
3. Press and release the “OK” button.
4. Display should say “Hardware failure status”. If not there already, Arrow Key over to “Hardware failure status”,
5. Press and release the “OK” button.
6. Display should say “Hardware failure status: Clear. Press OK to clear”.
7. Press and release the “OK” Button. Message changes to “Hardware failure status Cleared. Press Cancel to continue”.
8. Press and release the “CANCEL” button as many times as necessary, so that, either the “Welcome to Photosmart Express” screen appears, or, the “Ink System Failure” screen appears. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PRINT AT THIS STAGE.
9. Using the Power Button, turn the unit OFF and unplug the power cable from back of the printer and wall outlet.
10. Wait 30 seconds for the power to get discharged and then plug the power cable into the wall outlet first and then into the back of the printer
11. Turn the unit on. The printer may display message “USE POWER BUTTON TO SHUTDOWN THE PRINTER” followed by “PRESS OK TO CONTINUE”. Press OK. The Printer will start the “ONE TIME INK INITIALIZATION PROCESS”. Allow this process to complete and do not interrupt. Once the initialization process is complete, the printer will print out a Diagnostic Page.
12. To verify printer functionality print a SELF TEST PAGE. If SELF TEST prints, then printer is ready for use or Software Installation.