My HP Smart Tank 651 printheads will not center when doors open

[Srainey1]

The printheads will not center after opening up the doors. I need to change out a bad printhead but cannot reach it since its all the way left.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Srainey1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Smart Tank 651 printer’s printheads are not centering when you open the access door, and you’re unable to reach them to replace a faulty printhead. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this and how to safely bring the printhead carriage to the center.

Restart the Printer
Turn off the printer and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Wait for 60 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.
Sometimes, the printer needs a full reset to unlock and center the carriage.

Check for Obstructions
Open the front access door and look carefully inside for any jammed paper, bits of tape, or packing material.
Even a small obstruction can prevent the carriage from moving freely.

Perform a Manual Carriage Unlock
With the printer powered on, open the front access door.
Wait a few seconds—normally, the printhead carriage should move to the center automatically.
If it doesn’t, gently close the door, then open it again to see if the carriage unlocks.

Power Reset with Door Open
If the carriage is still stuck, turn the printer off while the access door is open.
Wait until all lights turn off, then gently try to move the carriage toward the center using your fingers.
Do not force it—if it doesn’t move smoothly, stop immediately.

Check Printhead Latch Lock
The printhead latch could be jammed in the locked position.
Look closely under the carriage area to see if the gray or blue latch is stuck down.
If it is, lightly lift it upward to release the lock.

Plug In and Reboot
After ensuring nothing is stuck, close the access door, plug the printer back in, and power it on.
Once it initializes, open the door again—this time the carriage should move to the center automatically.

Replace the Printhead Once Centered
When the carriage centers, open the blue latch and carefully remove the bad printhead.
Insert the new printhead into its correct slot (black on the right, tri-color on the left), close the latch, and then close the door.

I hope this helps.

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