how to fix a cartridge jam?

[techaverse72]

 My Office Jet 4655, which until today has been problem-free, now gives me "!Improper shutdown" and " *cartridge jam" error messages.  I have followed all suggestions from HP Print and Scan Doctor - Offline Help and ai Online Help  --- and read a number of community responses here which basically repeat the same steps to clear and reset, none of which work.  No visible obstructions, inside is clean, ink cartridges won't budge from the far right under the overhang lip. 

[ACSievers]

Yes, I have the same issue, my printer is less than a year old, no paper jam is visible and I've taken the available pieces off to no avail. Tried all the power resets too.

A C S

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

@techaverse72.

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

Since you’ve already tried HP’s troubleshooting steps without success, here are some additional things you can try to fix the cartridge jam issue on your HP OfficeJet 4655.

Manually Move the Cartridge Carriage

Since your cartridges are stuck to the far right under the overhang, try these steps:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Open the cartridge access door.
• Gently push the carriage to the left. If it’s stuck, try moving it slightly back and forth to loosen it. Do not force it too hard.
• Once moved, inspect for any small paper scraps, dust, or dried ink buildup around the carriage path.
• If it won’t budge at all, proceed to step 2.

Reset the Printer (Hard Reset)

Since you are also seeing an "!Improper Shutdown" error, try resetting the printer:

1. Unplug the printer while it’s turned on.
2. Wait 2-3 minutes to allow residual charge to drain.
3. Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds.
4. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Now check if the carriage moves when you open the cartridge door.

Remove Paper Feed Rollers & Check for Jams

• Open the rear access door (if available) and check for paper stuck in the rollers.
• Clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
• Close the door and try turning the printer back on.

Check for Mechanical Obstruction

If the carriage is stuck, there might be a mechanical issue:

• Use a flashlight to check deep inside for tiny pieces of torn paper or debris.
• If you see something blocking it but can’t remove it, gently tilt the printer to dislodge it.

Update or Reinstall the Printer Firmware

Since multiple errors appeared at once, it could be a firmware issue:

• Check for firmware updates in HP Smart or the HP support site.
• If the issue started after a recent update, try reinstalling the firmware.

Last Resort: Remove and Reinsert Cartridges

If the carriage moves:

• Remove the cartridges and inspect for ink leaks or dried ink buildup.
• Clean the cartridge contacts with a dry lint-free cloth.
• Reinsert the cartridges and restart the printer.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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