Carriage jam on HP6790

[Marcie25]

I have error 0x6100004a on my HP6790 printer. Nothing will get it to work.
I have done the following:
Reset the printer
Check for any obstructions
Inspected the carriage path
Updated printer firmware
Cleaned the encoder strip
Checked the ink cartridges
Performed a hard reset

The carriage is firmly jammed to the right hand side and will not move.

How do I get it to work?

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Marcie25 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you're dealing with a persistent carriage jam on your HP 6790 printer, and you’ve already tried several key troubleshooting steps. Given that the carriage is stuck on the right side and nothing seems to budge it, here are a few additional steps that could help:

1. Manually Move the Carriage (Carefully)

If the carriage is firmly jammed, it’s possible that the motor is stuck or a component has gotten in the way.

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Gently try to move the carriage by hand. If you feel any resistance, don’t force it. If it moves slightly, check for any further obstructions or debris.
• If the carriage moves, you might be able to free it up enough to reposition it to the middle so you can check the area for any remaining obstruction.

2. Check the Printer’s Drive Belt

The error code 0x6100004a often relates to a stuck carriage, which could be due to a faulty drive belt.

• With the printer turned off, open the printer cover and inspect the belt (usually a small rubber band running across the printer).
• If the belt appears dislodged, loose, or broken, that could explain why the carriage is stuck. A faulty belt may need to be replaced.

3. Inspect the Carriage Encoder Strip

While you’ve cleaned the encoder strip, make sure it hasn’t been dislodged or misaligned. A misaligned encoder strip could prevent the carriage from moving properly.

• Double-check that the encoder strip is intact and aligned correctly. It should run across the carriage path.
• Ensure there is no ink build-up or debris that might be preventing it from functioning correctly.

4. Check the Printer’s Internal Mechanisms for Obstructions

Even if you've inspected the path, sometimes tiny pieces of paper or debris can get lodged in parts of the printer's internal mechanism that aren't immediately visible.

• With the printer powered off, carefully look inside the printer to see if there is any paper stuck deep inside, especially near the carriage or any rollers.
• Use a flashlight to look for small particles that might not be obvious with the naked eye.

5. Try a Manual Reset of the Carriage

Sometimes, manually resetting the position of the carriage can help.

• Turn off the printer, unplug it, and then gently move the carriage to the left-hand side (if possible).
• Once you’ve moved it, power the printer back on to see if it can reset the position properly.

6. Check for Printer Motor Issues

If the carriage won’t budge at all, there could be an issue with the printer motor that drives the carriage movement.

• Unfortunately, motor issues are harder to resolve without professional help, but if none of the other solutions work, this could be the next thing to check.

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