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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- E3 Print error

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
08-23-2025 11:58 AM
Hi @AngelaVenus,
Welcome to the HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.
The E3 error typically indicates a carriage jam, meaning the ink cartridge carriage was stuck or obstructed. Replacing the cartridges may have cleared the error, but if the printer still doesn’t print, it could be due to:
- Residual carriage misalignment
- Improper printhead seating
- Firmware or driver issues
- A blocked ink system
1. Check for Carriage Movement
- Open the cartridge access door.
- Gently slide the carriage left and right to ensure it moves freely.
- Remove any paper scraps or obstructions.
- Do not force the carriage if it feels stuck.
👉HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error | HP® Support
2. Reset the Printer
- Turn off the printer.
- Unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds.
- Plug it back in and turn it on.
This clears any lingering error states.
3. Remove and Reinstall Cartridges
- Power on the printer.
- Remove all cartridges.
- Inspect for any protective tape or debris.
- Reinsert them firmly and ensure they click into place.
4. Run HP’s Diagnose & Fix Tool
HP has a built-in tool in the HP Smart app that can automatically detect and fix common printing issues.
👉Use Diagnose & Fix in the HP app to repair common printing issues (Windows, macOS) | HP® Support
I hope this helps.
Take care and have an amazing day!
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Regards,
VikramTheGreat