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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- My son has pulled a piece of the printer

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04-19-2017 12:54 PM
My son has pulled out a plastic strip, after opening the print cartridge flap. I believe it prevents the cartridge holder from extending too far, as it's now crashing against the casing. Does anyone know where it connects, as I can't see anywhere obvious. Thanks
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Accepted Solutions
04-19-2017 02:26 PM
The strip is called the encoder strip, it is used by the printer to determine where the printhead is. Without it properly in place the carriage will slam to the side of the printer.
The encoder strip will need to be threaded back into the carriage, then reconnected to its supports. The post here may help. It is for a different printer but the same principles should apply. Check the ends of the strip, if it was pulled off the printer the mounting tabs may be damaged. You may be able to repair this with tape.
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
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04-19-2017 02:26 PM
The strip is called the encoder strip, it is used by the printer to determine where the printhead is. Without it properly in place the carriage will slam to the side of the printer.
The encoder strip will need to be threaded back into the carriage, then reconnected to its supports. The post here may help. It is for a different printer but the same principles should apply. Check the ends of the strip, if it was pulled off the printer the mounting tabs may be damaged. You may be able to repair this with tape.
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button
If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.
05-03-2017 04:16 AM
Sorry, took a while to getting around to this, but, although the photos of the printer is different to mine, but the basic premise, ie find the tab, find where it goes through the carriage and the attachment at the other end. It worked! I did have to repair the damaged end with scotch tape, and be patient, but it workd, thank you
@Bob_Headrick wrote:The strip is called the encoder strip, it is used by the printer to determine where the printhead is. Without it properly in place the carriage will slam to the side of the printer.
The encoder strip will need to be threaded back into the carriage, then reconnected to its supports. The post here may help. It is for a different printer but the same principles should apply. Check the ends of the strip, if it was pulled off the printer the mounting tabs may be damaged. You may be able to repair this with tape.
05-03-2017 09:19 AM
You are welcome. I am glad you got things resolved.
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button
If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.