E3 Error code

[scotspie501]

Hi All

I have a HP ENVY PRO 6432 which is having a error code-E3

I have looked at the carriage and cleaned it it moves freely and when I put the ink in and powers it up and carriage goes tight 

any ideas how to fix it

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @scotspie501,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

The E3 error on the HP ENVY Pro 6432 indicates a carriage jam/error. Since you have already cleaned the carriage and confirmed that it moves freely when the cartridges are removed, the fact that it becomes tight when the cartridges are installed is an important clue.
 

To narrow this down without repeating steps you have already tried:

1. Turn the printer off and disconnect the power cord.
2. Check the cartridge access area again for any paper, packaging material, or other obstruction that could restrict the carriage.
3. Confirm that the carriage moves freely from side to side with the printer powered off.
4. Check that both cartridges are correctly seated and that nothing is preventing the cartridges from moving with the carriage.
5. Test one cartridge at a time. Install only the black cartridge and power the printer on. Note whether the carriage becomes tight or the E3 error appears.
6. Repeat the same test using only the color cartridge.

The single-cartridge test is particularly useful here because you have confirmed that the carriage moves freely without the cartridges. If the carriage becomes tight with only one particular cartridge installed, let us know which cartridge causes it.
 

Also, let us know:

• Does E3 occur with both cartridges installed?
• Does E3 occur with only the black cartridge?
• Does E3 occur with only the color cartridge?
• Does the carriage become tight immediately when the printer starts, or only after it begins its initialization?

Share those results along with the troubleshooting steps you have already completed. This will help us determine the next appropriate direction without having you repeat the same checks.
 

HP reference: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[scotspie501]

HI

I carried out your request as follows

1. Check the cartridge access area again for any paper, packaging material, or other obstruction that could restrict the carriage.
2. Confirm that the carriage moves freely from side to side with the printer powered off.
3. Check that both cartridges are correctly seated and that nothing is preventing the cartridges from moving with the carriage.
4. Test one cartridge at a time. Install only the black cartridge and power the printer on. Note whether the carriage becomes tight or the E3 error appears.
5. The error code disappeared when I only ran it with black cartridge 
6. when I ran the coloured cartridge there was only error code E0
7. put the 2x back in and E3 came back 
8. no error codes when the black one was in  and seemed to run free
9. think it maybe the faulty colour
10. I am a member of HP ink will ask them to send 2x new cartridges
11. whats your thoughts

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @scotspie501,

Thank you for carrying out all the tests and for documenting the results so clearly. Your results are actually very helpful.
 

Based on what you found:

• With only the black cartridge installed, the printer runs normally, the carriage moves freely, and E3 does not appear.
• With only the colour cartridge installed, you receive E0.
• When both cartridges are installed, E3 returns.
• This strongly points to the colour cartridge or its interaction with the carriage/cartridge contacts as the likely cause, rather than the black cartridge.

So, yes, I agree with your thinking that the colour cartridge is the most likely source of the problem.
 

Since you mentioned that you are enrolled in HP's ink service, I would recommend using the service to request replacement cartridges rather than purchasing another set yourself. If you are using HP Instant Ink or an HP All-in Plan, the appropriate replacement process depends on which service your account has.
 

Once you receive the replacement colour cartridge, install it together with the black cartridge and check whether the E3 error returns.
 

If the new colour cartridge produces the same E3 error, please let us know. At that point, because the printer works normally with the black cartridge alone, we would need to look more closely at the colour-cartridge slot, carriage contacts, or carriage/print mechanism rather than continuing to replace cartridges.
 

You have done the right troubleshooting so far, and the one-cartridge test has narrowed this down considerably.