DIAGNOSIS The print head carriage is hitting an obstruction or the carriage guide shaft is dry/dirty, causing friction and the stepper motor to grind.
FIX Clean and lubricate the metal carriage guide rod.
- Turn the printer OFF and unplug it.
- Open the scanner unit to access the carriage. Move the carriage to the center by hand.
- Wipe the shiny metal rod clean with a lint-free cloth dampened with a little distilled water or isopropyl alcohol.
- Apply a tiny, tiny amount of pure silicone grease or a drop of sewing machine oil to the rod. Spread it thinly along the length with your cloth.
- Manually slide the carriage back and forth a few times to distribute the lubricant. Plug in and test.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK A gear in the carriage mechanism may be damaged or have a foreign object (like a piece of plastic from a broken part) stuck in it. This requires disassembly and is a more advanced repair.
HEADS UP Do NOT use WD-40 or any petroleum-based lubricant. It will attract dust and turn to gunk, making the problem worse.