Once the printer is used for a number of projects, it is common for users to start experiencing quality issues. Examples include scratches or even text that is missing on the printout and that is often the result of a dirty printhead. What are printheads? The printhead is the component in the printer that houses the ink cartridges. It is usually located under the cover of the printer and can become clogged with ink over time.
Regardless of the type of cartridge used, compatible or reusable ink types can dry out and cause problems with the appearance of the print. If this is left untreated, the printer will be potentially damaged and may need to be completely replaced. Below is brief information on how to properly clean the printer head:
The following is a brief explanation of how to properly clean the printer head which can be done easily and safely yourself:
- Run the “Clean Printhead” function from the computer.
- If the above steps do not work, open the printer cover and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
- Remove each ink cartridge and wipe the contacts with a cloth.
- Clean the printhead contacts.
- Reinsert the print cartridge.
- Reconnect the printer to an electrical outlet.
- Let the printer boot up and run the automatic startup sequence.
- Print a test sheet to see if this simple procedure fixes the problem.
- This process may need to be repeated several more times.
- If all processes have been carried out but failed, take the printer to a repair shop.
It is important to remember that these sections are complex. If you are performing the repair yourself, be sure to work with care so as not to damage the contacts on the printhead and ink cartridge.
Inkjet printers function by spraying small droplets of liquid ink on the surface of the paper. With smaller droplets will be able to create a sharper image. The ink comes in three main colors (cyan, yellow, and magenta) as well as black.
By combining colors together in a certain pattern, other colors from the color palette are formed. To produce crisp, clear prints, the ink must be applied with precision. One way to ensure this is to get the best home printer. The other is to ensure the use of high quality ink.
Printheads can become dirty after not being used for a while. It is recommended that you perform several print jobs each month to maintain print quality and prevent the ink from drying out in the cartridges. However, even if the printer is used to print several times a week, it may still encounter problems with the printheads.
If the PC or the LCD screen on the printer notifies that the ink cartridge is full but no ink is entering the paper, then the problem is most likely with a clogged printhead. Blurred documents and images that look faded are also a sign that it's time to remove excess ink.
Before starting the cleaning process, first do a nozzle check to make sure it's really causing the problem. This process can be performed from a computer or printer on newer models. This can help to avoid touching the printheads and damaging the contacts on the ink cartridges or the printheads themselves.
First, make sure to use genuine printer cartridges. Next check if the cartridge is an ink product and is suitable for the printer model being used. If the cartridge shows signs of damage, has exploded, or does not fit properly, then remove the cartridge and insert a new one. Wait for the printer to perform an automatic maintenance job for the new cartridge and try printing again.
How do I clean the printheads from the computer?
- Start the process of cleaning the printheads of the inkjet printer by clicking the “Start” button.
- Access Control Panel which allows to view several menus including “Printers and Scanners”.
- Click the printer icon and select “Properties” (This window allows to see how much ink is available in the cartridge or if there is a problem related to the device).
- If an indication appears that all of the ink cartridges are full but the print job is fuzzy or dirty, then this is a clear indication that it is necessary to clean the printheads.
- Select “Printing Preferences,” and then the “Service” tab.
- From there a selection of options will appear to select “Printer Service” in the next window.
- Next there will be a command to “Clean Printheads,” which will start the process of cleaning the printheads without the need to physically remove them.
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If you are still experiencing quality issues or printhead errors, then there may be another problem at hand. Before taking any other action, it is highly recommended to clean the heads and ink cartridges four or five more times.
Also, leave the printer unplugged overnight and double check the nozzles on the ink cartridges to make sure they are not full. Old or damaged ink cartridges can also cause problems with printer performance. If the steps above haven't solved the problem, replacing the cartridge could be the answer.
Go through the process of cleaning the printhead contacts again before inserting a new printer cartridge. After the initialization process, try printing another document to see if the printed image is clear and there are no streaks or fading.
If there is still a problem with the printer, it might be time to take it to a repair shop that specializes in the brand of printer. Hopefully the information on How to Clean the Printer Head Correctly above can help solve problems related to the printer head.