How to clean the print head of a printer

This article will show you how to clean the print head of your printer. Prolonged periods of inactivity can cause blockages in the printheads, resulting in ragged and poor quality prints. The printheads can be cleaned using the built-in software or manually.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using a cleanup program on Windows

Step 1. Open the Start Menu

Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.

Step 2. Enter Control Panel to find the Control Panel application

Step 3. Click on Control Panel (blue board icon at the top of the Start menu)

Step 4. Click on the Devices and Printers icon on the right side of the window

If Control Panel is in Category View instead of Icon View, select View Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound

Step 5. Open the printer menu

Under the Printers heading at the top of the window, right-click the printer you want to clean. After that, a drop-down menu will appear on the screen.

• If you have a mouse without a right button, click on the right side of the mouse or click on the mouse with two fingers.
• If you are using the touchpad instead of a mouse, press on the touchpad with two fingers, or click on the lower-right side of the touchpad.

Step 6. Click on Properties at the very bottom of the drop-down menu

A new window will appear on the screen.

Step 7. Go to the Hardware tab or Service at the top of the window.

In some printers, the cleaning function can be found under the Advanced or Hardware tab

Step 8. Click on the "Clean" or "Deep Clean" option

In general, look for options that have the word "cleanup" in their names.

If you cannot find an option that cleans the printheads ("nozzles" or "cartridges"), check your user manual or search the Internet. Your printer may not have a self-cleaning function

Step 9. Follow the instructions on the screen

If during cleaning you are asked to press a key, do so. When the printer completes the cleaning procedure, you can return to printing documents.

• The system prompts you to print a test page so you can verify that the cleaning was successful.
• If the print shows that the heads are still clogged, try manually cleaning them.

Method 2 of 3: Using the Mac Cleaner

Step 1. Open the Apple menu

Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen to display the drop-down menu.

Step 2. Click on the System Preferences option in the Apple drop-down menu

Step 3. Click on the Printers & Scanners icon on the right side of the system settings

Step 4. Select your printer

In the left pane, select the printer you want to clean.

Step 5. Select the Options and Supplies option

Step 6. Click on Utilities at the top of the window

Step 7. Click on Open Printer Utilities in the center of the window

Step 8. Click on "Cleanup"

The location and appearance of this option may vary depending on the printer model. This page should contain options such as "Cleaning" and "Deep Cleaning".

• If there is a dropdown at the top of the window, click on it and then select the "Cleanup" option.
• If you can't find the option you're looking for, your printer might not support the cleaning function. Check the user manual or search the internet for information.

Step 9. Follow the instructions on the screen

If you are asked to press a key during cleaning, do so. When the printer completes the cleaning procedure, you can return to printing documents.

• The system prompts you to print a test page so you can verify that the cleaning was successful.
• If the print shows that the heads are still clogged, try manually cleaning them.

Method 3 of 3: Manual cleaning

Step 1. Prepare everything you need

You will need the following supplies to clean the printheads:

• isopropyl alcohol;
• water;
• a bowl or baking dish;
• paper towels.

Step 2. Turn off the printer and unplug it from the outlet

This will protect you and the printer from possible damage when removing the cartridges and printhead carriage.

Step 3. Remove the cartridges

Open the printer cover, and then remove the cartridges one at a time until you have removed all of them.

To find out how to properly remove the ink cartridges, check your user manual or search the Internet

Step 4. Remove the printhead carriage

This is the tray that holds the cartridges. You will see several holes at the bottom of the carriage.

• Check your user manual or search online for instructions on how to remove the carriage for this printer model.
• If the printheads are on the cartridges themselves, skip this step.

Step 5. Dilute alcohol with water in a 1: 1 ratio

Start by taking 120 ml of each liquid. Diluted alcohol will be less abrasive and will not damage the printheads.

Step 6. Pour the solution into a bowl

Do not pour too much liquid (1 cm high is enough).

Step 7. Place the carriage in a bowl of solution

The carriage (or cartridge) must be immersed in the solution approximately 1 cm deep.

If the printheads are on the cartridges themselves, put them in the solution

Step 8. Wait at least two minutes

This time will be enough for the dried paint to begin to dissolve.

Step 9. Blot the printhead with a paper towel to remove liquid and ink from the printhead surface

The printhead must be completely dry before proceeding

Step 10. Check the printhead

Insert the printhead carriage and / or cartridges back into the printer and print a test page. The printer should work like new.

If the printer still does not print correctly, leave the printhead carriage (or cartridges) in the solution overnight

Advice

• Printing the page once a week will prevent blockages in the printheads.
• If the printheads are on the cartridges, you can always replace the clogged cartridge with a new one.