Carriage cannot move

[Al776]

I get the carriage canno move message, but carriage moves freely.  No paper jams or obstructions.  I've rebooted, and reinstalled with same results.

[GOLD_MASTER]

Hello @Al776 .

Have you checked that there is no excess paint in the corners?
Perform a cloth wipe:
Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with filtered or distilled water and then squeeze the excess liquid from the cloth.

Once the above is done, check that there is a semi-transparent, semi-metallic ribbon running from one side of the printer to the other, dampen the cloth with filtered or distilled water, if there is a lot of dirt you can use isopropyl alcohol (regular alcohol or water will not do "the latter only when there is not too much dirt"), and hold it with your fingertips on this ribbon, and with the flannel move your hand from one end of the printer to the other to clean the ribbon on both sides (this coding ribbon, if it is dirty, scratched or broken can give a false message of paper jam).

[Al776]

Thank you for the reply, but after following your suggestions I get the same result.  I also get a message that the printer was not shut down properly, even though I used the on/off button to shut down.

[GOLD_MASTER]

@Al776 .

Update the printer firmware:
https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/printers/en7800_2143A/EN7800_2143A.exe

Clear the error by resetting the printer without the ink cartridges.

1. Open the cartridge access door or lid.

   • If the carriage moves to the center of the printer, continue with these steps.

   • If the carriage does not move to the center of the printer, close the access door or lid. Disconnect the power cord from the printer and power source, wait 60 seconds, and then reconnect the power cord to the printer and a wall outlet. Turn the printer on, and then continue with these steps.

2. Remove the cartridges.

3. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

4. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

5. Wait 60 seconds.

6. Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and the printer.

   NOTE: 

   HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

7. Turn the printer on.

8. Reinsert the cartridges, and then close the cartridge access door or lid.

9. Follow the steps to align the printer, if prompted.