- Turn off the plotter.
- Unplug the plotter for at least 5 minutes.
- Move the carriage to its home place(where it goes to sit when the plotting is over) – usually on the left.
- Plug it in again and turn it on.
- If it begins initialization and stops with an error message, note where in the sequence it stopped.
- If the error message indicated “check pathway” it means the carriage is sensing some extra resistance or there is something blocking the red light sensor on the side of the carriage. Check for old pieces of paper under the carriage...if nothing, try putting 3 drops of baby oil or mineral oil on the silver carriage rail...
- Turn it off and turn it back on again.
- If error message shows after the initialization is complete, press CANCEL to see if it will clear.
- Read the manual's troubleshooting or error message section to figure out what the machine is trying to tell you. I know it is a drastic and unusual move, but HP published these for a reason! You can usually find the manual online, but if you can't, contact me and I'll try to find it for you.
- If the error message has to do with the “encoder” use a lint free piece of cotton cloth wet with rubbing alcohol to do a very gentle wipe of the silver aluminum coated strip...called the encoder strip...and let it air drive. DON'T rub or the coating will come off and the plotter will not work again until you replace it!