The Smart Tank 516 shares the Ink Tank family’s E3 habit: carriage path, encoder, or ink delivery. Work top-down so you do not replace parts you do not need.
Clear the path
- Kill power.
- Open cover; remove debris.
- Inspect the translucent encoder strip behind the carriage for ink smears.
- Re-seat the carriage and close covers firmly.
Service menus carefully
Use only documented HP tool resets. Random button combos from random videos can lock service flags worse.
Safety notes
Keep the printer level; tilted tanks introduce air into lines after refills.
FAQ
Same as 315?
Very similar troubleshooting tree.
Prints blank after fix?
Run cleaning cycles, then align.
Related on Disassembly
Photo: Unsplash. Repair steps are general guidance—model variants differ. Unplug power and follow ESD-safe practice before opening devices.