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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- PRINT CARRIAGE CANNOT MOVE

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11-12-2024 12:27 PM
Hi @ZASG
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
The error message "Print carriage cannot move" usually indicates that there is something blocking or preventing the print carriage (the part of the printer that holds the printhead and moves back and forth) from moving freely across the printer. This can be caused by several factors, such as a paper jam, debris, or an issue with the carriage's movement mechanism. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and fix this issue:
1. Turn Off the Printer and Unplug It
- Before doing anything, turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source to avoid any electrical hazards or accidental movements of the carriage.
2. Manually Check for Obstructions
- Open the printer cover to access the print carriage.
- Look inside for any paper jams, bits of paper, or other debris that might be blocking the carriage's path. Even a small scrap of paper can cause this issue.
- Check if the carriage is stuck at one end of the printer (either far left or right).
3. Move the Print Carriage Manually
- Gently try to move the print carriage by hand. If it moves, there might be a slight obstruction that was cleared when you moved the carriage.
- Be gentle when moving the carriage; do not force it, as this could cause damage to the printer.
- If the carriage does not move at all, there may be a more serious mechanical issue.
4. Check for Paper in the Printer
- Inspect the paper path from the input tray all the way through to the output tray. If there is any paper jammed or stuck in the paper path, carefully remove the paper.
- If you're using thick or glossy paper, it might have caused a jam. Try using regular paper to see if that resolves the issue.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Rachel571
HP Support
Sneha_01- HP support