Dell 948 All In One - Scanner making a "clicking" noise and will not function

ejpech,

Unplug the printer from the wall. Now remove the power brick from the back of the printer for 60 seconds. This will reset any error messages the printer has.

Now plug everything back in. Power on the printer and open it up. Take out the Black Dell Series 11 ink cartridge. Examine it for any tape on it, then reseat the cartridge. Now do the same for the Dell Series 11 Color cartridge. When done, then close the printer. It will try to print an alignment page. Any error messages?

Can you make a copy of something when you put it  under the glass? B&W & Color?

Black cartridge = black side(left side)          Color cartridge = color side(right side)

Photo Cartridge = black side(left side)          Color cartridge = color side(right side)

Dell Series 11 ink cartridges have a sensor in them that cannot be reset. Article on refilling Dell ink cartridges.

Dell Series 11 ink cartridges can be purchased at Staples, Walmart or Dell's Website.

If you can make a copy of something, then please post back as there are more things to try.

This is a Dell Users forum, so we are people, just like you and me and have little contact with Dell Liasons.

Rick

Thanks Rick.  i performed the above with Zero luck.  I also found another thread....seems another person had same exact issue......they tried several suggestions which didn't help.  I tried also and they didn't help me either.

I am not sure if there IS a solution....maybe a hardware issue or communication flaw.

ejpech,

If you do not get any error codes, the only thing to check is the encoder strip. It is actually cheaper to purchase a new printer than to get the older one repaired, if this doesn't work.

Rick

STEP: Clean the Encoder Strip

Additional Information

Notice:     As you perform the following steps, be careful when handling the encoder strip as it can break easily.   It is possible that dust can gather on the encoder strip which will make it very difficult for the printer to determine where the carriage is on its track. To clean the encoder strip, perform the following steps: Power down the printer and unplug the power. Lift the cover on the printer. Using a dry, lint free cloth, pinch the encoder strip on the right-hand side of the cartridge carriage and pull your fingers across it toward the right-hand side of the printer (Figure 1). Figure 1: The Encoder Strip to the right of the cartridge carrier Note:     The encoder strip is a narrow band of clear plastic and can be difficult to see without direct lighting.   Plug in the printer and power it on. Open the cover to allow the cartridge carriage to center itself. Using a dry, lint free cloth, pinch the encoder strip on the left-hand side of the cartridge carriage and pull your fingers across it towards the left-hand side of the printer. (Figure 2). Figure 2: The encoder strip to the left of the cartridge carrier

I just encounter the same problem with my printer.

I did the procedure with the ink and my printer printed the alignment page.

the problem occurs each time I turn my printer on, it moves the scaning unit to the right and starct clicking for like 20 seconds.

When I do auto-feeding-scan the printed page was all black. I'm sure these printers have some kind of a defect.

Pretty disappointing from a company like Dell.

Zack

1.     Open the printer’s ink compartment.

2.     Look on the right side back corner and you will see the scanner  cable

3.     Pop the scanner cable door and make sure the scanner cable is connected.

When the scanner cable comes off, it makes the noise your describing because the scanner is not able to find the home position.