canon g7020 making a loud grinding noise when it tries to print, like it's stuck

— asked by Alex

Quick answer: That's the carriage assembly grinding against something, most commonly a piece of paper or a foreign object stuck in the track, or a dried ink spill that's gummed up the movement.

Diagnosis

That's the carriage assembly grinding against something, most commonly a piece of paper or a foreign object stuck in the track, or a dried ink spill that's gummed up the movement.

How to Fix It

Power off the printer completely. Open the front cover and look at the black metal bar the print head moves on. Manually slide the print head carriage all the way from left to right, checking for obstructions. Use a flashlight. If you see crusty ink, dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water (not alcohol) and gently wipe the bar clean.

If That Didn't Work

The noise could be from the carriage encoder strip—that thin, clear plastic strip behind the bar. If it's dirty, the printer loses its position. Gently wipe it with a dry cotton swab. Don't use liquid unless it's stubborn, and then only a tiny bit of water.

Heads Up

Never force the carriage. If it won't budge, there's likely a mechanical failure. Forcing it can strip the gears. If cleaning doesn't stop the noise, it's a service call.

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