HP OfficeJet Pro 6900 Series Printer Paper Feed Gear Fix and Secure

Question:
As some debugging for a "print carriage cannot move" error of my HP OfficeJet Pro 6958 printer, I ordered the BCH Paper Feed Gear (PFG). But the gear didn’t survive it long — it broke off and dropped below the bottom of the printer. How do I stop this from happening again?
 
Answer:
Thanks for reaching out on this issue! I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry, and I certainly sympathize with you regarding your frustration with printer problems. It is important to note that printer issues are urgent and technical, so we aim to give detailed and careful answers to each question we receive at BCH Technologies. Your strong interest and support in us, particularly our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), is valuable for us to shape this better and make it even more helpful for you.)
Now, let's discuss your issue regarding the HP OfficeJet Pro Paper Feed Gear (PFG)6900 Series.
Why the Gear Comes Loose
The paper feed gear most commonly detaches because the paper feed rod is aligned incorrectly. The rod, which supports the gear, will get pushed slightly forward in use or reassembly. However, when the rod is not aligned parallel to the printer’s rail, the gear can lose its grip and eventually drop.
How to Keep Gear from Falling Off
Inspect & Align Paper Feed Rods

• Find the paper feed rod in the printer and check its position relative to the rail.
• If the rod has moved forward, gently slide it toward the back of the printer until it is parallel to the rail. This ensures the gear does not come loose over time as it sits naturally aligned on the rod.

Secure the Gear in Place

• Put the gear back on the rod (do not forget to make it fit tightly).
• If you have a little non-permanent adhesive or thread locker, putting a tiny drop on the rod’s end right before attaching the gear will ensure a tighter fit without making further disassembly impossible.

Test the Setup

• Once fitted, the print carriage can be manually moved across its track to ensure smooth operation. Could you test the printer to ensure the fix works and the gear stays in place while in operation?

Preventive Maintenance:

• Please occasionally check the gear and rod alignment, especially after heavy use or transport. Alignment of the components can prevent problems down the line.

Additional Note:
The nature of printers makes them a tricky beast to address when something goes wrong, and standard run-of-the-mill solutions often don't work. As a result, we can't help with remote troubleshooting or printer repair assistance. However, our local diagnostic facility offers in-person evaluation and repair (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Since demand is relatively high, it works on a first-come, first-served basis, and we may not be able to evaluate your printer until a few weeks later.
If you prefer self-help, we highly recommend our large YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), which covers all aspects of BCAT and BCATDesktop in video format. Search for content about your issue using the search icon to the right of “About” in the menu bar. YouTube could also recommend helpful videos from other creators that cover similar issues.
Thanks for contacting us again and for trusting BCH Technologies. We hope one of these steps will fix the problem with your printer. Please let us know if you need help with anything else!