Fixing Carriage Jam: How to Clear ‘Stalled Carriage’ Error on HP All-in-One Printer

Here’s another notorious HP printer problem most of us probably encountered several times already. If you haven’t, soon you will (I’m not jinxing you). That’s because the more frequent you print or occasionally print, it is highly likely that you get a stuck or stalled cartridge. Although there are other common reasons why this happen. In this article, I compiled the reasons and the best fixes I found online to clear this infamous printer problem. I applied these fixes on HP Photosmart 5520 e-all-in-one printer and can be applied to other HP printers with LED control panel as well.

Here are some of the reasons why you have a cartridge jam, a stalled cartridge or a print cartridge cradle is stuck error on you HP.

Paper Jam

Printer will not print

Printer unexpectedly stopped

Here are some easy and quick fixes you can try:

Fix 1:

• Turn the printer off and let it cool down for 60 seconds.
• Turn on printer and allow it to warm up. (Wait until the printer stops making noise)
• Open paper tray and load paper into the paper. Check if the paper feeds.
• Realign the paper and slide back the input tray.
• Run a test print.
• If the printer prints, then the issue is resolved. You may continue your printing without issues.
• If however, the printer does not print then proceed to fix 2.

Fix 2:

You are going to clear a paper jam. Of course, I have a separate article for this, but let’s just put it again here so you won’t have to go anywhere.

• Turn on printer.
• Slide open the input tray and remove all loose paper.
• In case there is a paper jammed in the printer, remove it by gently pulling it out.
• Thoroughly check the tray to see if there is any torn paper left. Look for other foreign objects as well.
• Slide in the input tray.  Go to the back of the printer.
• While still on, remove the power cord from the printer. Remove any attached cables and USB as well.
• Open the printer lid and see if there is any foreign objects or torn paper.
• Remove them gently to avoid interior damage. Be sure to check the printer thoroughly for any scraps and small pieces of paper using a flashlight.
• Locate the cleanout door handle (it’s the white handle near the back of the printer)
• Pull out the cleanout door. Check if there is any foreign objects or jammed paper. Be sure to check the printer thoroughly.
• Lift the duplexer lever to see if there is anything stuck in between.
• Turn the printer on its side and check if there is any paper jammed or foreign objects stuck.
• Plug the power cord and other cables back to the printer.
• Turn on printer and wait until it warmed up.
• Run a test print.
• If the printer prints, then the issue is resolved. If it doesn’t print, then continue to the next fix.

Fix 3:

• Turn on printer.
• While still on, unplug power cord from the printer. Remove the plug from the power source.
• Remove any connected cables as well.
• Open printer lid to reveal cartridge carriage.
• The carriage should be at the right side of the printer. Move the carriage manually to the right. If the carriage does not move, see if there is anything that obstruct the movement.
• Remove paper jam or foreign objects.
• Manually move the cartridge carriage to the left side. Do the same kind of checking and remove any obstruction. Return the carriage to the right side.
• If there’s no longer any obstruction, close the printer lid.
• Reconnect the power cord and other cables. Connect the printer to the power source.
• Turn on printer and wait for it to warm up.
• Run a test print.

If at this point, the printer is still not printing, continue to this next fix.

Fix 4:

• Turn on printer. Open the printer lid.
• Wait for the cartridge carriage to move at the center of the printer.
• Remove HP Photosmart 5520 ink cartridges and carefully place them on paper to prevent any leaks.
• Clean the nozzles if they are clogged.
• If your cartridge has low ink level, you might need to replace them.
• Reinstall ink cartridges properly and according to their correct compartment.
• When the cartridges are all securely installed, close the printer lid.
• Run a test print.

If the error persists, it is time to call a printer technician. If your printer is still under warranty, call HP support and take advantage of any help they offer.