Problem removing print cartridge.

The 1203 error indicates either a communication failure between one of your cartridges and your printer or a short in one of the cartridges. Please follow the steps below to fix the problem:

1. Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to step 2.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.

2. Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.

3. Remove both cartridges from the AIO. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Did the error message return?

Yes: There is a hardware problem with the printer. Continue to Contacting Lexmark.
No: Continue to Step 4.

4. Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.

5. Insert the color cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, and then repeat steps 4 and 5 of this procedure. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Continue to step 6.

6. Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.

7. Insert the black/photo cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 6 and 7. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.

Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts

1. Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.

2. Remove the cartridges. Clean the cartridge contacts (How to Clean the Print Cartridge Nozzles and Contacts Manually).

Source: 1203 Error Message on the Lexmark X7170 All-In-One

This is a scanner error. You could try the following...
Power off and remove the power supply(Power Cord) from the back of the unit.
Open the scanner cover. Check the scanner glass for cracks and the scanner casing for cracks. Close the scanner lid.
Open the top cover
Using the carrier belt, move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
Remove both cartridges, close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power on.
IF THE ERROR MESSAGE DID NOT COME BACK....
Power off and remove the power supply from the back of the unit.
Open the top cover
Using the carrier belt, move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
INSERT THE COLOR CARTRIDGE ONLY,
Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power on
IF THE ERROR MESSAGE RETURNS.. GET A DIFFERENT COLOR CARTRIDGE AND REPEAT THIS PROCESS....
IF THE ERROR MESSAGE IS GONE,
Power down as before, do all the same to get the carrier to the middle of the unit and RE-INSTALL THE BLACK CARTRIDGE.
Power back up as in previous steps...
NO ERROR? SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO..
ERROR?? TRY DIFFERENT BLACK
If after trying all of the above and the error message does not go away, you unit would need serviced (if it's under warranty, it's worth it; if not, you might want to replace it.)

Error 502 means that the printer has stalled. Probably caused by the carrier getting stalled or a paper jam. Check of any paper jams or check inside the printer where the cartridges are. Make sure the cartridges are well-seated in the carrier. You can remove the cartridges and insert them back in. Check around the carrier for any foreign objects or any obstruction along its way.

Turn the printer on.
Lift the lid, to expose the print-carriage.
The cartridges should slide to the "middle" and stop.
Press down on the RIGHT cartridge, to "unlock" it from its carrier.
Remove it.
Inspect it.
Reinsert it.
Press up on the cartridge, until it "clicks" into place in its carrier.
Close the lid.

Hi,

This one's a bit tricky, but fixable. Here's what I found:

Re-position the Encoder Strip on your all in one Printer

To re-position the encoder strip, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the power cord from the unit.

2. Lift the lid of the unit, just below the scanner portion of the All-In-One, to expose the inside of the unit where the printer cartridges are located.

3. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer.

4. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right.

5. Using an index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.

NOTE
NOTE: There is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into, which is going to be located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.

6. Gently press the strip first to the rear and then forward to ensure that it is seated correctly.

7. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right to check the positioning of the encoder strip.

8. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the lid to the unit.

9. Re-connect the power supply to the All-In-One.

10. Press the Power button. If the encoder strip was re-seated correctly, the Hardware Error: 502 code will not appear.
Other faults that can bring up this error is a carriage rail that needs cleaning and oiling (so you might want to do that while your inside the thing), and also obstructions to the paper ways. Try removing paper jams, and put the printer upside down to shake loose anything that might jam the mechanism. Hope i helped you.

Thanks for using ' Fixya ' and have a nice day!!

The 1203 error message is caused by either a communication failure between one of the printheads (cartridges) and the All-In-One (AIO) or by a short in one of the printheads. The procedures below will help you to resolve this issue.
Troubleshooting a Communication Error between the Cartridge and the Printer
Step Action:
Power off the All-In-One (AIO) and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: Continue to step 2.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.

2 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
3 Remove both cartridges from the AIO. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the All-In-One (AIO) on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: There is a hardware problem with the printer. Continue to Contacting Lexmark.
No: Continue to Step 4.

4 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
5 Insert the color cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 4 and 5. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Continue to step 6.

6 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
7 Insert the black cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 6 and 7. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, skip to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.


Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts
NOTE: The embedded links in the table lead to specific troubleshooting documents.
Step Action:
1 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
2 Remove the cartridges. Clean the cartridge contacts and the AIO carrier contacts

Defective Cartridge Check
To test the cartridge, replace it with either a new cartridge or a known good cartridge from another printer of this type. If the error message persists, proceed to Contacting Lexmark.

Step Action 1 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: Continue to step 2.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.
2 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
3 Remove both cartridges from the AIO. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: There is a hardware problem with the printer. Continue to Contacting Lexmark.
No: Continue to Step 4.
4 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
5 Insert the color cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, and then repeat steps 4 and 5 of this procedure. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.

No: Continue to step 6.
6 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
7 Insert the black/photo cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on.
Did the error message return?
Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 6 and 7. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.

No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.

Re-position the Encoder Strip on your all in one Printer

To re-position the encoder strip, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the power cord from the unit.

2. Lift the lid of the unit, just below the scanner portion of the All-In-One, to expose the inside of the unit where the printer cartridges are located.

3. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer.

4. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right.

5. Using an index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.

NOTE
NOTE: There is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into, which is going to be located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.

6. Gently press the strip first to the rear and then forward to ensure that it is seated correctly.

7. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right to check the positioning of the encoder strip.

8. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the lid to the unit.

9. Re-connect the power supply to the All-In-One.

10. Press the Power button. If the encoder strip was re-seated correctly, the Hardware Error: 502 code will not appear.

See attached pictures, one for an out or place encoder strip, the other for a well placed strip.

Other faults that can bring up this error is a carriage rail that needs cleaning and oiling (so you might want to do that while your inside the thing), and also obstructions to the paper ways. Try removing paper jams, and put the printer upside down to shake loose anything that might jam the mechanism.

see if this helps you Power off the All-In-One (AIO) and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on. Did the error message return? Yes: Continue to step 2. No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved. 2 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit. 3 Remove both cartridges from the AIO. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the All-In-One (AIO) on. Did the error message return? Yes: There is a hardware problem with the printer. Continue to Contacting Lexmark. No: Continue to Step 4. 4 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit. 5 Insert the color cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Did the error message return? Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 4 and 5. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test. No: Continue to step 6. 6 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit. 7 Insert the black cartridge. Close the top cover, reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on. Did the error message return? Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 6 and 7. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, skip to Defective Cartridge Test. No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved. Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts NOTE: The embedded links in the table lead to specific troubleshooting documents. Step Action 1 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit. 2 Remove the cartridges. Clean the cartridge contacts (click here for instructions) and the AIO carrier contacts

Re-position the Encoder Strip on your Printer To re-position the encoder strip, perform the following steps: 1. Remove the power cord from the unit. 2. Lift the lid of the unit, just below the scanner portion of the All-In-One, to expose the inside of the unit where the printer cartridges are located. 3. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer. 4. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right. 5. Using an index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier. NOTE NOTE: There is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into, which is going to be located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier. 6. Gently press the strip first to the rear and then forward to ensure that it is seated correctly. 7. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right to check the positioning of the encoder strip. 8. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the lid to the unit. 9. Re-connect the power supply to the All-In-One. 10. Press the Power button. If the encoder strip was re-seated correctly, the Hardware Error: 502 code will not appear. See attached pictures, one for an out or place encoder strip, the other for a well placed strip. Other faults that can bring up this error is a carriage rail that needs cleaning and oiling (so you might want to do that while your inside the thing), and also obstructions to the paper ways. Try removing paper jams, and put the printer upside down to shake loose anything that might jam the mechanism. Good luck!