office jet 4630- erroneous print carriage cannot move and paper jam messages

[techklutz1]

ink carriage moves freely and there is no paper jam even though the printer says both problems are present

[zoey7886]

@techklutz1, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your HP OfficeJet 4630! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

It sounds like your HP OfficeJet 4630 is experiencing a false paper jam and carriage jam error, even though there are no actual obstructions. Try these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

Reset the Printer

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord and any USB cables.
3. Wait 60 seconds.
4. Plug it back in and turn it on.

Check the Carriage Path

Since you mentioned the ink carriage moves freely, try the following:

1. Open the printer door and inspect the carriage path for tiny bits of paper, dust, or debris.
2. Move the carriage manually from left to right to ensure it's not getting stuck.
3. Close the printer and check if the error persists.

Check for a Paper Jam (Even if You Don’t See One)

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Remove all paper from the input and output trays.
3. Open the rear access door (or duplexer, if your model has one).
4. Look for and remove any small torn pieces of paper stuck inside.
5. Clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water.
6. Reload the paper and turn the printer back on.

Clean the Sensor

If no jam is found, the printer might be detecting a false jam due to dust buildup on the sensor:

1. Open the printer’s cartridge access area.
2. Locate the paper sensor (usually near the rollers or carriage).
3. Use compressed air or a dry cotton swab to clean the sensor.

Update or Reinstall Printer Firmware

1. Go to HP’s support website and check for firmware updates.
2. Download and install the latest firmware.
3. If that doesn’t work, try removing and reinstalling the printer driver.

Hard Reset the Printer

If none of the above steps work:

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. Unplug the power cord while it's still on.
3. Hold the Power button for 30 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power and turn it on.

If the issue still persists, let me know what you've tried so far, and I can suggest further troubleshooting! 🚀

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

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Regards,