HP error E3 (carriage jam on DeskJet and ENVY)
E3 on the two-character display of HP DeskJet and ENVY printers means a carriage jam: the cartridge carriage could not move freely across the printer. The printer detects this when the carriage motor stalls or the position encoder reports no movement. Both lights usually blink and the printer stops until the obstruction is cleared and the error reset.
What causes it
- Packing tape or the cardboard retainer left inside a new printer
- A torn piece of paper, envelope flap or label stuck in the carriage path
- A cartridge not clicked fully into the carriage, catching on the frame
- Dried ink on the carriage rail or in the service station on the right
- A dirty or damaged encoder strip
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Turn the printer off and unplug it
Press the power button, then remove the power cord. The carriage is free to move by hand when the printer is unpowered, which makes inspection safer.
Open the cartridge door and look for obstructions
Lift the door and check the full width of the carriage path, including the far right and far left. Remove tape, packaging, paper scraps or anything else. Look under the carriage too.
Move the carriage by hand
Gently slide the carriage from one side to the other. It should glide with light resistance. If it sticks at one point, check that spot for debris or dried ink and clean the metal rail with a dry cloth.
Reseat the cartridges
Remove both cartridges and push them back in until each clicks and sits level. A cartridge at an angle can catch on the frame as the carriage moves.
Wipe the encoder strip
The thin clear strip running behind the carriage tells the printer where the carriage is. Wipe it gently with a dry lint-free cloth without bending it.
Clear paper from the rear
Remove the rear access door or cleanout on the back and check for paper, then refit it so it latches on both sides.
Reconnect and power on
Plug the printer in and turn it on. It will run a carriage test. If E3 does not return, print a test page from the control panel or HP Smart.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Printers that show this code
Frequently asked questions
My new DeskJet shows E3 straight out of the box. Why?
There is almost always a piece of blue tape or a cardboard retainer still holding the carriage. Open the door and remove every piece of packaging, including under the carriage.
What is the difference between E3 and E4?
E3 is a carriage jam, where the cartridge holder cannot move. E4 is a paper jam in the paper path. The fixes are similar but you look in different places.
Why does E3 come back every time I print?
Something is still catching as the carriage travels, or the encoder strip is dirty. Slide the carriage slowly by hand and feel for the sticking point.
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