630W getting repeated error codes

[CricketByDesign]

I have an Hp 630W that's been giving me an error code for the last day and a bit. Most of the time the error code tells me to clean the encoder strip (Which I've done) sometimes it says something about a print head, one time it ejected the maintenance cartridge.
I've tried restarting it, cleaning it, unplugging it and plugging it back in. The firmware has been recently updated. Nothing seems to work. 
Any idea what this could be?

[Samrit26]

Hello,

Alright — based on everything you described together, this is no longer a normal “clean it and retry” situation. I’m going to explain what the printer is telling you, why the symptoms look random, and what the real resolution path is.

Printer: HP 630W (DesignJet 630 series wide-format)

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What the combination of errors actually means (key insight)

You’re seeing three different subsystems complain:

1. Encoder strip error

2. Intermittent printhead-related error

3. Maintenance cartridge ejecting by itself

When those occur together, it points to one root cause:

The carriage positioning system is failing to initialize correctly

In plain terms:

• The printer cannot reliably determine where the carriage is

• So it keeps retrying different recovery routines

• Each routine throws a different error depending on where it fails

That’s why the errors feel inconsistent.

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Why cleaning the encoder strip didn’t fix it

You did the right thing already — but this is important:

If cleaning the encoder strip does not stabilize the error, the problem is usually not dirt.

Common underlying failures I see on the 630W:

• Weak or failing carriage motor

• Failing encoder sensor (reader), not the strip

• Mechanical resistance on the carriage rail

• Service station (maintenance unit) malfunction interfering with carriage homing

The fact that it ejected the maintenance cartridge by itself is a major clue.

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What the maintenance cartridge ejection tells me

That only happens when the printer believes:

• Carriage is not docking correctly

• Service station cannot cap or uncap the printhead

• Firmware enters a protective recovery state

This is hardware-level, not firmware corruption.

Firmware updates do not cause this behavior — they only make it more visible by enforcing stricter checks.

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Why restarting / unplugging doesn’t help anymore

Power resets only help if:

• The error is a transient state

• Sensors eventually report consistent values

In your case, the printer is:

• Rebooting

• Re-running homing

• Failing at different checkpoints each time

That means the hardware condition persists.

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Things I would still verify quickly (safe checks)

You can do these once, gently:

1. With power OFF, manually slide the carriage left/right

   • It should move smoothly with no resistance

2. Inspect the encoder strip again:

   • Must be taut

   • No scratches or cloudy patches

3. Check for:

   • Ink buildup on the encoder sensor, not the strip

   • Obstruction near the service station

Do not lubricate anything and do not force movement.

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What this is NOT

• ❌ Not a bad firmware update

• ❌ Not a user-cleaning mistake

• ❌ Not fixable by repeated resets

• ❌ Not just the encoder strip anymore

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The honest mentor answer (important)

For HP DesignJet / wide-format printers:

If you have:

• Encoder errors after cleaning

• Printhead errors that come and go

• Maintenance cartridge ejection

➡️ The unit requires hardware service.

That usually means one of:

• Carriage assembly replacement

• Encoder sensor replacement

• Service station replacement

These are not field-repairable by end users.