HP OfficeJet Pro 9012, 9035, 9025, and 90xx "Problem with the Supply System" After Fixing a Carriage Jam

Question

I watched your video about fixing a printhead stuck to the right and resolving a carriage jam on an HP OfficeJet Pro 9012, 9035, 9025, or similar 90xx-series printer. The video helped me get the carriage moving again, but now the printer shows the message: "There is a problem with the supply system." Do you have any tips on what to check next?

Answer

Since you were able to get the carriage moving again, that is a good sign. It means the original carriage jam or printhead parking issue may have been partially resolved. However, the new message, "There is a problem with the supply system," usually points to an issue involving the ink delivery system, cartridges, printhead, or the printer's ability to detect ink flow correctly.

On HP OfficeJet Pro 9012, 9035, 9025, and other 90xx-series printers, this warning can appear after a carriage jam because the printer may now be able to move the carriage, but it still cannot properly pull ink through the printhead or recognize that the ink supply system is functioning correctly.

The first thing I would suspect is a clogged printhead. If the printer sat unused, had dried ink inside the printhead, or experienced a jam that kept the carriage parked for a long time, the nozzles and internal ink channels may have dried out. When that happens, the printer may interpret the lack of ink flow as a supply system failure.

A clogged printhead can cause symptoms such as missing colors, blank pages, repeated cleaning cycles, ink system errors, or supply system warnings. Even if the cartridges still contain ink, the printer may not be able to move that ink through the printhead. In this situation, unclogging the printhead is often the next step.

I would also try a different set of cartridges, preferably genuine HP cartridges or a known-good set. Sometimes the message is triggered by a cartridge chip problem, a cartridge that is not venting correctly, a cartridge that has dried ink at the outlet, or a cartridge that the printer cannot authenticate or read properly. Even if the cartridges worked before the carriage jam, they may not be seated correctly after the carriage was moved, or one of them may have developed a poor contact issue.

Remove the cartridges and inspect them carefully. Look for dried ink, damaged chips, torn labels, blocked vents, or ink buildup around the cartridge outlet. Then reinstall them firmly and make sure each cartridge clicks into place. If the printer still shows the same warning, testing with another cartridge set is a good way to separate a cartridge issue from a printhead issue.

You should also inspect the cartridge contacts and printhead contacts. Any ink, corrosion, paper dust, or debris on the electrical contacts can prevent the printer from communicating properly with the cartridges or printhead. Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts gently. Let everything dry completely before reinstalling the cartridges and powering the printer back on.

If the printer allows you to access the maintenance menu, you can try running the built-in printhead cleaning or clean printhead function. However, if the printhead is heavily clogged, the built-in cleaning may not be enough. These cleaning cycles are designed for mild clogs. For a more serious clog, the printhead may need to be manually flushed or soaked using proper cleaning solution. Be careful with this process because forcing too much liquid through the printhead or using the wrong cleaning method can damage the electronics.

Another thing to check is whether the carriage is fully returning to its correct position and whether the printer's service station or capping station is functioning properly. The service station is the area where the printhead parks, seals, and cleans itself. If the printer had a carriage jam, ink buildup or a mechanical obstruction near the service station may still be present. If the cap is not sealing the printhead correctly, the printhead can dry out quickly, which can lead to repeated supply system errors.

For this particular problem, my main recommendation would be:

Try a different set of cartridges first, then attempt to unclog the printhead. If the cartridges are recognized but the error continues, the printhead is likely clogged or failing internally.

Unfortunately, on many HP OfficeJet Pro models, once the printhead has become severely clogged or electrically damaged, cleaning may not fully recover it. If the printhead is removable, replacement may be an option. If it is not easily removable or the printer continues to reject the supply system after cleaning and cartridge replacement, the repair may become less economical.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, detailed repair guidance, or step-by-step support for individual printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand is high, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off for service. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with instructions provided on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical option for every situation. For that reason, we highly recommend self-help through online research. A good place to start is YouTube, including our homepage at BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. You can use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to look for specific repair topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking about videos for particular issues, and after creating videos for the past nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. Using YouTube's search function is usually the most efficient way to find the right video. YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels that could assist with your repair.

Thanks again for watching the video and for your kind feedback. I'm glad the carriage is moving again, and I hope checking the cartridges and unclogging the printhead helps resolve the supply system message.