HP ENVY 4500 Carriage Jam Error. Ink Carriage locked in far right position

[BK8383]

Getting an ink carriage jam error. Ink carriage is stuck in far right position. Cannot remove ink cartridges or manually move ink carriage. Tried all the suggested trouble shoots on this board and on hp website. Any suggestions or is printer just plain broken?

[Sneha_01]

Hi  @BK8383,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If the ink carriage on your HP ENVY 4500 is stuck in the far-right position and you're seeing an ink carriage jam error, here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue. Since you've already tried the common troubleshooting steps, let's go through some additional solutions:

1. Check for Obstructions

Turn Off the Printer:

• Power off the printer and unplug it from the wall. This helps avoid any risk of electrical issues and gives you more freedom to work on the printer.

Inspect for Obstructions:

• Open the printer's access door and carefully check for any obstructions around the ink carriage area. Remove any paper, debris, or other objects that might be blocking the carriage’s movement.

2. Manually Move the Ink Carriage

Power On the Printer:

• With the printer unplugged, try to gently move the ink carriage manually. If it does not move, do not force it as this could damage the printer.

Check for Stuck Components:

• Sometimes, small pieces of paper or debris can cause the carriage to get stuck. Ensure there are no tiny bits of paper caught in the carriage or in the tracks.

3. Reset the Printer

Perform a Hard Reset:

• Turn Off and Unplug: Unplug the printer from the power source.
• Wait: Wait for about 60 seconds.
• Plug In and Power On: Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Check the Carriage Position:

• Once the printer has restarted, see if the carriage has moved to the center or if you can now access the ink cartridges.

4. Check and Reseat the Ink Cartridges

Open the Access Door:

• Open the ink cartridge access door while the printer is powered on.

Remove and Reinsert Cartridges:

• Gently try to remove the ink cartridges. If they don’t come out, do not force them. Reinsert them carefully, making sure they click into place.

5. Clean the Printer

Clean the Carriage Area:

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean around the carriage area, including the rollers and the print head.

Check for Ink Residue:

• Make sure there is no dried ink or other residue that could be causing the issue.

6. Examine the Printer Mechanism

Inspect the Carriage Belt:

• If you can access it, check the belt that moves the ink carriage. If it’s misaligned or damaged, it might need to be fixed or replaced.

Look for Damage:

• Check for any visible signs of damage to the printer’s internal components or mechanisms.

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