Dell Photo 924 Carriage jam

Question

My printer was working fine, when I got a paper jam . I removed the paper entirely, powered off and back on, but the printer does not work at all now.

Specifically, when I try to print a document or copy something, the ink-jet carriage slams to the right (the printer actually jumps a little bit from the force of movement), and stays stuck there. In the message window on the top of the printer, I get the message "Clear the carrier jam and then press [the start button] to continue". If I am printing, a similar message pop up in a window on the screen.

Some notes:

* WinXP Home (although the problem doesn't seem to be within the computer)

* Ink cartridges are nearly full, and seem to be seated properly.

* I've looked through out the printer with a flashlight, but I can't see any jammed paper, or other unexpected debris.

* I tried not just power cycling the unit, but unplugging from the wall and waiting a few minutes.

PudgyOne · Answer

gparke,

Sounds like the encoder strip.

Rick

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

Printers

Dell Photo 924 Carriage jam

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