HP Officejet 8020 Printer Cartridge will not move

[DOUG3762]

I have a HP Inkjet series 8020 printer.  After working fine for several years, it suddenly has its printer carriage stuck in the use mode, thus will not move to the left.  The carriage also does not lift up toward the front so as to slide forward. There are no signs of paper jam or other objects causing this. I have a second exact same printer and it continues to work as designed.  Are there any "tricks" to try to get the carriage unstuck and to get it to raise up and move to the left as it is supposed to do when the carriage door is opened.  Thanks!  Doug3762

[Raj_05]

Hi @DOUG3762,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

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

If the cartridge in your HP Officejet 8020 printer is not moving, it could be due to various reasons. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow to address the issue.

• Check for Obstructions: Make sure there are no foreign objects, such as paper scraps or debris, blocking the path of the cartridge carriage. If you find any obstructions, carefully remove them.
• Power Cycle the Printer: Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait for a minute or two. Then, plug it back in and turn it on. Sometimes, a power cycle can resolve minor issues.
• Inspect Cartridge: Ensure that the ink or toner cartridge is properly installed in the carriage. It should click into place securely. If it's not installed correctly, remove and reseat the cartridge.
• Check for Error Messages: Look for any error messages or warning lights on the printer's control panel or the computer screen. These messages can provide valuable information about the issue.
• Printer Software: Ensure that you have the latest printer drivers and software installed on your computer. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause issues with cartridge movement.
• Manually Move the Cartridge: If the cartridge is still not moving, you can try gently pushing or moving the carriage by hand. Be extremely careful while doing this to avoid damaging the printer. If the carriage moves freely, it may have been jammed, and you should investigate further for obstructions.
• Inspect for Hardware Issues: If none of the above steps work, there may be a hardware problem with the printer. 
• Reset the Printer: Some HP printers have a reset option that you can access through the control panel. Refer to your printer's user manual for instructions on how to perform a factory reset, which may help resolve the issue.

Always exercise caution when handling printers and their components.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support