How to Fix HP OfficeJet 8025 Carriage Slamming and Jamming After Printhead Cleaning

Question:

My HP OfficeJet 8025 printer started slamming the cartridge to the side on startup after I removed the printhead for cleaning. The carriage moves erratically—up and down, then jams. The gear looks fine. What could be causing this?

Answer: 

Common Causes for HP 8025 Carriage Jamming After Printhead Cleaning

Your description of the carriage moving down, then back forward and up—before jamming—points to a likely sensor or alignment problem triggered by the printhead cleaning. Here are the top two areas to inspect:

 1. CR Encoder Strip Issue (Carriage Return Sensor Strip)

The CR encoder strip is a thin, translucent strip that runs behind the printhead carriage. This strip contains precise markings that help the printer detect the position of the printhead. If the strip is dirty, misaligned, or became dislodged during your printhead removal, the carriage can behave unpredictably—including slamming to the sides or missing motion cues.

What to Check:

• Visual inspection: Look for smudges, dried ink, or dirt along the encoder strip. These can cause the sensor to misread.

• Cleaning: Gently clean the strip using 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Avoid pulling or bending the strip during cleaning.

• Alignment: Make sure the strip is properly inserted into the encoder sensor slot on both sides of the carriage track. It should be taut, not loose or twisted.

Signs of a CR encoder issue: Slamming carriage movement, jerky operation, printer startup calibration failure.

 2. Improperly Seated Printhead or Dirty Contacts

Since the problem began immediately after removing the printhead, the second major suspect is a connection problem. HP printers are known for being sensitive to printhead seating and contact signals.

What to Check:

• Printhead Contacts: Remove the printhead again and inspect the gold contact pads on both the printhead and carriage connector. Look for ink residue, corrosion, or bent pins.

• Clean the Contacts: Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free swab to gently clean both sides.

• Reseat the Printhead: When reinstalling, ensure the printhead is locked down securely and any latches are fully engaged. Be cautious not to overtighten or misalign.

• Cartridges Check: Ensure all ink cartridges are fully clicked in. Loose or unrecognized cartridges can mimic printhead communication errors and confuse the startup sequence.

If the Issue Persists

If the CR encoder strip and printhead seating both appear fine and the problem still exists, the issue may lie deeper in the printer's:

• Logic board

• Carriage motor sensors

• Timing calibration

At this stage, advanced hands-on diagnosis is usually necessary. We’re happy to help you further through our repair services [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service] if you'd like us to take a closer look.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we’re unable to offer remote diagnostics or repair instructions tailored to every unique case. That said, we do offer in-person evaluations and printer repairs through our local facility, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on demand, it may take a few weeks to schedule your printer drop-off. Our services are available for complete units or specific components, with clear pricing and process instructions on our site. While our rates may not be the lowest available, we also encourage DIY fixes whenever possible. Start by browsing tutorials on our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies], and use the search bar near the “About” section to find repair videos on topics like encoder cleaning, printhead reseating, and carriage troubleshooting. You might even discover other helpful content from related creators through YouTube’s algorithm.

Thanks again for contacting BCH Technologies. We truly value your trust and support, and we’re here if you need further assistance down the line!