- Printers
- Inkjet printer
E3
HP E3 on an inkjet printer: print carriage stalled
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The carriage that holds the cartridges or printheads stopped during printing. Press Cancel if it is lit, turn the printer off, unplug it and look for paper or objects in the carriage path without forcing the carriage.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not force the carriage if it is locked or stuck: HP warns this can damage the printer.
- Do not tilt an ink tank printer while looking for obstructions: ink might spill.
Safe checks you can perform
- Job cancelled and printer unplugged
- Obstructions in the carriage path
- Carriage latch and printhead cover
- Printer reset
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Carriage drive diagnosis
- Do not attempt this professional task: Warranty review
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Carriage drive diagnosis
What they doAn HP-authorised technician opens the printer and checks the carriage movement and its drive system (belt, motor and position reading).
They must show youthe carriage movement test and the part that does not respond to HP's specification.
In writingthe part replaced, its part number, the reason and a test print without E3.
Warranty review
What they doHP support checks warranty status before scheduling repair or replacement.
They must show youthe warranty check result.
In writingwhether it is a repair or a replacement, and its cost.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Job cancelled and printer unplugged
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- if the Cancel button is lit, press it and wait until the printer is silent; then turn it off and disconnect the power cord.
- Result that matters:
- you work inside the printer with no power and no carriage movement.
- If the printer does not turn off with the button:
- disconnect the cord directly.
- If you hear grinding before it turns off:
- note it for the technician.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the code on the panel before turning off.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
Obstructions in the carriage path
- Who:
- you, with the printer unplugged.
- How:
- open the cartridge access door, gently slide the carriage side to side and remove crumpled paper or loose labels. Do not tilt an ink tank printer, because ink might spill.
- Result that matters:
- the carriage moves freely from side to side.
- If you find and remove an object:
- close the door, reconnect and try printing.
- If the carriage is locked or stuck:
- do not force it, because HP warns it can damage the printer; go on to the reset.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the removed object or of the clear path.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
Carriage latch and printhead cover
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- if the carriage has a latch, press it down gently so it locks. On an ink tank printer whose latch is already secured, do not press it. On Smart Tank models, check the printhead cover is closed without opening it.
- Result that matters:
- latch and cover in place.
- If it was loose and E3 clears once locked:
- the cause was the latch.
- If it was already closed:
- do not handle it further.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the carriage with the latch closed.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
Printer reset
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- with the printer off, unplug the cord from the outlet, wait 60 seconds, plug it directly into a wall outlet and turn the printer on.
- Result that matters:
- the printer starts without E3.
- If it starts and prints:
- the stall was a one-off.
- If E3 returns with a clear path:
- HP says to repair or replace the product through its support.
- Evidence to keep:
- note the time of the reset and whether the code returned.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- HP
- Product type
- Inkjet printer
Known code variants
- atasco del carro HP
- Error E3 HP
- HP carriage jam
- HP E3
- HP E3 error
- HP E3 impresora
- HP Smart Tank E3
What it means
HP describes E3 as a carriage jam: during a print job the cartridge carriage stalls and the printer shows Carriage Jam or E3. On Smart Tank 670, 720 and 750 printers it is defined as a stalled printhead carriage. The most common cause is an obstruction in the path (crumpled paper, loose labels) or a carriage latch that is not locked. If the carriage is free and the code returns after a reset, HP refers you to service: the code does not say whether the drive mechanism or the electronics failed.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Do not force the carriage if it is locked or stuck: HP warns this can damage the printer.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
- Mediumsource verified
Do not tilt an ink tank printer while looking for obstructions: ink might spill.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Paper or objects in the carriage pathCommon
This is what HP checks first. You can tell because you see crumpled paper or loose labels when you open the access door.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
- Carriage latch or printhead cover not closedPossible
On printers with a latch, the carriage can jam if it is not locked. On Smart Tank models HP asks you to check the printhead cover is properly closed.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
- Carriage mechanism or electronics faultPossible
Only considered if the carriage is free, the printer was reset and E3 returns. A technician confirms it.
Evidence: HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error · HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
Virtual technician
Does E3 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
HP Printers - Carriage jam or E3 error
HP Support · official_doc
- 2
HP Smart Tank 670, 720, 750, 790 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes
HP Support · official_doc
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