HP commonly uses E3 for a carriage-jam condition on the product families addressed by its support guidance. Some models assign codes differently.
What E3 means
HP commonly uses E3 for a carriage-jam condition on the product families addressed by its support guidance. Some models assign codes differently.
What you may notice
- The cartridge carriage cannot move normally
- You hear clicking or grinding
- The printer stops during startup
- Loose paper is visible inside
Most likely causes
- 01Paper or a label blocks the carriage
- 02Packing material was left inside
- 03A cartridge is not seated
- 04An access door is open
- 05The belt or sensor is damaged
Safe checks, in order
Start with the simplest non-invasive check. Stop as soon as the error clears; repeated resets can hide a condition without correcting it.
Turn off and unplug
Wait for all movement to stop before opening the cartridge access area.
Remove loose material
Take out paper scraps, labels, or forgotten packing pieces from the carriage path.
Check the cartridges
Confirm each cartridge is installed in the correct slot and fully latched.
Move only if the manual permits
If HP's model instructions say to slide the carriage, do so gently. Never force it.
Reconnect directly
Close all doors, connect power directly to a wall outlet, and restart.
Know where to stop
Keep fingers away from gears and do not touch the translucent encoder strip. Forcing the carriage can create a hardware repair.
When to call a technician or support
Service is appropriate if the carriage is locked with no obstruction, the belt is loose, or grinding continues.
When you call, have the exact product or vehicle model, model year where relevant, the complete code or symbol, and when it appeared.
Where this information came from
We use the manufacturer's current published guidance as the starting point, then organize it into a safer, beginner-friendly sequence.
HP Support — carriage jam or E3 error Source last checked August 16, 2026. Manufacturer instructions and model manuals take priority over this independent summary.