AIO A960 Hardware error

Question

This little problem has lasted for a while now. Ever so slightly irritating me until today. IT will print half a page, and then push it out, with the message 'Hardware Error' on the screen. What I've done to the printer is add ink to the black ink cartridge. That wouldn't cause this to happen would it? It makes horrible squeakey sounds every fourth or fifth time across the page, and when it's out of paper it loudly broadcasts it with a 'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeffffffff' any ideas before I throw it through my window??

ghitarro · Answer

On the computer screen itself, it says Cartridge stall. What normally needs to be done is to turn off the printer, turn it back on, and try again. maybe this time getting 10% more. Please help!

Sean_thebest · Answer

Reposition the encoder strip on the Dell A960 printer. To repair/re-position the encoder strip, perform the following steps: Remove the power from the printer. Open the printer until the green kickstand engages. Slide the cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer. Grasp the top part of the belt and move it gently to the right. Figure 1 shows the encoder strip out of place.Figure 1 - Misaligned Encoder Strip Place an index finger on the encoder strip on either side of the cartridge carrier. On the back of the cartridge carrier, there is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into. NOTE: This cannot be seen as it is hidden on the back side of the cartridge carrier. Push the encoder strip down slightly and then back up to get it back into the slot. Then lightly press the strip first to the rear and then forward, if necessary. Manually move the cartridge carrier left and right to check the positioning of the encoder strip. Figure 2 shows the encoder strip in its proper position.Figure 2 - Encoder Strip in the Proper Position NOTE: If the encoder strip moves at all, it has not been re-positioned correctly. Hardware error 502 mainly occures because of encoder stirp misplaced/mispositioned. Try this.

ghitarro · Answer

Hi that seemed to work. GReat! one less ornament on my lawn! Thanks!

ngwm · Answer

Thanks, I had same error 0502 with my X5150. Followed Sean the best's suggestion to re-position the encoder strip (the 5mm tall clear strip running across the carriage path). Everything worked again. Thanks.

mxhonda92 · Answer

that didnt work what should i do now

tayteebug22 · Answer

This did not fix my problem either

ElRich · Answer

Thank you so much for posting this message.  I searched the error and found your solution.  It worked.:smileyhappy:

DjBobo · Answer

It didnt work with me either.  I tried it a few times well abuot 2 times but it still comes up with Error 0502 on the printer i really need to get this done.:robotsad:

fnkcook · Answer

I can't tell you how many times I have gone through this process only to have the 0502 problem crop up again within a day or two. And I'm not alone. Does anyone really know how to fix this problem so it will not keep reoccurring?

ColDChill · Answer

Hi Sean's solution worked for me to a degree it stopped hitting the sides of the printer But still gave me that error So I looked closer at the strip and noticed there was ink residue on it I took a kleanex and gently ran it down the strip flipping the kleanex every inch or so so I wasn't running the ink in worse and guess what IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM AGAIN! :)

Just thought I'd share this little piece of info if it doesn't work for you I'm sorry.

PeteyD · Answer

We were also able to solve the problem by cleaning both the strip and the bar with tissue; both had lots of black residue.

We repositioned the cartridge over and over almost daily previously, with only temporary success. After cleaning, we have not had it stall yet, its been a month.

I read this on another forum elsewhere, but cannot remember or find it (this person is our hero).

Clean the strip! Clean the bar! it works

jobower4 · Answer

hello,

thank you for the information. i still have a problem. i can not get the tape in the slot. do you have a picture of the back side so i can get a idea where the tape should go to get it latched. or a diagram?

Printers

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