Re: Carriage stall deskjet 6540

@ArtB4912, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
We understand that you are facing some issues with your HP Deskjet 6540 Printer series. 
Since you've already done some solid first steps (power cycling, checking for jams, clearing the queue), let’s dive deeper with a more thorough set of solutions:

Reset the Printer (Hard Reset)

Sometimes the internal firmware needs a "kick":

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. With it powered on, disconnect the power cord from the back (not just the wall).
3. Wait 60 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power cord directly to a wall outlet (no surge protector).
5. Power on the printer again and check if the lights stop flashing.

Check the Carriage Path Again

Even if it moves freely now, do this with the printer off:

• Manually move the ink carriage left to right and back.
• Check for tiny obstructions like bits of paper, ink buildup, or plastic debris.
• Shine a flashlight inside to inspect for anything caught along the metal strip behind the carriage.
   

Clean the Carriage Rod and Encoder Strip

Lubrication or dirt can trigger a stall error even when things seem fine:

• Get a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol (90%+).
• Wipe the metal rod the ink carriage slides on.
• Also clean the clear plastic strip (called the encoder strip) behind the carriage carefully—this helps the printer track carriage position.

Be gentle. Damaging the strip will cause more serious issues.

Remove and Reseat Ink Cartridges

Faulty contacts can sometimes falsely trigger a stall:

1. Power on the printer.
2. Open the cartridge access door.
3. Wait until the carriage moves to the center.
4. Remove both cartridges and gently clean the gold contacts using a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
5. Reseat them firmly and close the lid.

Check for Faulty Cartridges

Try running the printer with only one cartridge at a time (black or color), if it allows.

• This helps determine if a specific cartridge is causing the stall.
• If it works with one but not the other, replace the faulty one.

Update or Roll Back the Driver (Windows 11 Compatibility)

There could be a driver mismatch from Windows Update:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on the HP Deskjet 6540 → Remove device.
3. Then download and install the HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) — select PCL6 if unsure.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support