HP OfficeJet Pro 6958, 6968, and 6978 Printhead Stuck on the Right: Carriage Jam and Capping Station Gear Troubleshooting

Question

I have an HP OfficeJet Pro 6958, 6968, or 6978 printer with the printhead/carriage stuck on the right side. I followed your directions, removed the gear, cleaned it, and reinstalled it the way you showed, but the same problem is still happening. The carriage remains stuck to the right. What else should I check?

Answer

For an HP OfficeJet Pro 6958, 6968, or 6978 with the printhead stuck on the right side, the problem is often described as a carriage jam, printhead jam, or carriage stuck error. Even if you already removed and cleaned the gear shown in the video, the next area I would check is the capping station gears.

The capping station is the service station area where the printhead parks when the printer is idle. Its job is to seal the printhead nozzles, keep them from drying out, and help with cleaning cycles. On these HP OfficeJet Pro models, the carriage usually parks on the right side, which means the capping station is also on the right. If the capping station does not move correctly, the carriage may not be able to release, even if the main gear you cleaned looks fine.

A common cause is that the capping station gears are stuck, misaligned, cracked, or clogged with old ink. Ink buildup can become thick and sticky over time, especially around the service station, wiper blade, pump area, and cap assembly. When this happens, the printer may try to move the carriage, but the carriage cannot leave the parked position because the service station mechanism has not fully lowered or disengaged. The printer then thinks there is a carriage jam.

You may not always see a broken part right away. Sometimes the gears appear to be in place, but they are not rotating freely. Try gently inspecting the capping station area with the printer unplugged. Do not force the carriage if it is locked in place. Instead, look for dried ink, foreign objects, paper scraps, loose plastic pieces, or anything that may prevent the capping station from cycling. If you can access the gears safely, check whether they can move through their normal range without binding. A gear that skips, locks, or feels unusually tight can keep the entire carriage system stuck.

Also check whether the cap top is raised too high. The cap top is the rubber sealing area that presses against the printhead when the carriage parks. If the cap is stuck in the raised position, it can physically hold the printhead in place. The printer may not be strong enough to pull the carriage away, and forcing it can damage the carriage belt, encoder strip, or gear train.

Another thing to inspect is the wiper blade and service station sled. If the wiper blade is jammed forward or if the sled does not return to its home position, the carriage may stay locked on the right. In some cases, cleaning only the visible gear is not enough because the real resistance is deeper inside the capping station assembly.

While checking the capping station, also inspect the carriage path. Make sure there is no torn paper, label material, broken plastic tab, or ink-soaked debris blocking the carriage rail. The encoder strip should be clean and properly seated. The carriage belt should be intact and have tension. However, because your carriage is specifically stuck on the right side even after cleaning and reinstalling the gear, I would focus first on the capping station gears and service station mechanism.

For this type of issue, the printer may show a general carriage jam message rather than a very specific error code. Depending on the firmware and display wording, HP printers may report messages such as Carriage Jam, Printhead Problem, Paper Jam, or a general failure message. Even if the screen does not show a numbered error code, the underlying mechanical cause can still be the service station or capping station failing to release the printhead.

If the capping station gears are stripped or cracked, cleaning will not solve the problem. The damaged gear or the entire service station assembly may need to be replaced. If the gears are only stuck from old ink, careful cleaning may restore movement. Use caution, because too much liquid can damage electronics or drip into areas where it should not go. Work slowly, unplug the printer before touching internal parts, and avoid pulling the carriage by force.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs beyond general guidance. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical option for every situation. For that reason, we strongly recommend using self-help resources and online research whenever possible. You can begin by checking YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to look for videos on specific topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking for videos about particular problems, and after creating videos for the past nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. YouTube's search function is usually the most efficient way to find the right video, and it may also recommend helpful videos from other channels.

Thanks again for reaching out and for following the repair video so carefully. Since you already cleaned and reinstalled the gear, the next place I would inspect is definitely the capping station gear system and the service station movement on the right side of the printer.