The printhead is the component in the printer that holds the ink cartridges. It's usually located under the printer lid, and over time, it can become clogged with ink. No matter what type of ink cartridge you use (HP 963, HP 912 ink cartridges, and so on), the ink can dry out and cause problems with your prints. If you don't fix this problem, your printer may malfunction and may have to be completely replaced. Therefore, its cleaning and maintenance are crucial to the normal operation and print quality of the printer. By mastering the correct cleaning methods, we can effectively prevent and solve print quality problems.
When To Clean HP Printhead?
A printhead can become dirty after it has been sitting idle for some time. It's recommended that you perform a few print jobs each month to maintain print quality and to keep the ink from drying in the cartridges. However, even if you print a few times a week, you may still find yourself dealing with HP printhead problems.
You'll know fairly quickly if your printhead is causing problems. If your PC or the LCD screen on your printer tells you that your ink cartridges are full but no ink is passing through to the paper, then it's most likely that you are dealing with a clogged printhead. Blurry documents and images that appear faded are also signs that it's time to clean the printhead.
How To Clean The Printhead On HP Printer
There are usually two methods for cleaning HP printers: manual cleaning and computer-automatic cleaning. Next, we will introduce both methods in detail.
How To Clean The Printheads On An HP Printer By Hand?
Prepare The Following Tools
- A disposable container
- Clean, lint-free cloth
- Filtered or distilled hot water
- Disposable gloves
- Paper towels
1. Prepare the container to soak the HP printhead stack of paper towels six point five millimeters or one-quarter of an inch deep in the bottom of the disposable container.
2. Pour the hot water paper into the container until it's five centimeters or two inches deep and the paper towels are fully submerged.
Remove The Ink Cartridge
1. Remove all HP ink cartridges from the printhead with the printer on.
2. Open the ink cartridge access door.
3. Wearing disposable gloves, remove each cartridge by either pressing the tab on the front or by pushing in on the cartridge to release it.
4. Remove it from the printer and place the cartridges upside down on a paper towel.
5. Do not leave ink cartridges outside the printer for more than 30 minutes with all cartridges removed.
Remove And Manually Clean The HP Printhead
1. Remove the printhead.
2. Lift the printhead latch and then lift the printhead directly up and out of the printer.
3. Dampen the clean, lint-free cloth.
4. With the hot water, without pressing into the nozzle area or forcing water into the printhead, wipe away any excess ink.
Soak The HP Printhead
1. Place the print head in the disposable container so the nozzles rest on the paper towels. Soak the printhead for 10 minutes.
2. Remove the printhead.
3. And then set it on a paper towel with the nozzles facing up to dry for 15 minutes to avoid damaging the printhead.
4. Do not use compressed air or a hairdryer to remove the water with the printhead.
Reinstall The HP Printhead And Ink Cartridges
1. Reinstall the printhead and ink cartridges in the carriage.
2. Lower the latch to lock it in place and reinstall each cartridge in its corresponding slots.
3. Press down or push in each cartridge until it clicks or snaps into place with
4. All cartridges installed close the ink cartridge access door.
How To Clean The Printhead On HP Printer From Computer?
Typically, newer printer models have an automatic HP printhead cleaning feature, such as the HP Officejet Pro 9010 printer. You can check your printer user manual or visit HP's official website to see if this feature is available. The following are general guidelines for cleaning the printer through the printer.
1. Start the process of cleaning your inkjet printer printhead by clicking the "Start" button.
2. Access your Control Panel, which allows you to see several menus, including "Printers and Scanners." (You'll find a list of any printers you have connected to previously as well as the ones you currently use).
3. Click on the printer icon and choose "Properties." (This window allows you to see how much ink you have available in your ink cartridges or if there are any issues associated with your devices).
4. If you see an indication that your ink cartridges are all full but your print jobs are fuzzy or smudged, then this is a clear indication that you need to clean the printhead.
5. Choose "Printing Preferences" and then the "Service" tab.
6. From there, you have the option to choose "Printer Services" in the next window.
7. You'll see a command to "Clean Printheads," which will start the process of cleaning the printhead without you physically removing it.
How To Avoid Clogged Print Heads?
The printer's printhead deposits ink onto the paper. When these little mechanisms become clogged with dried ink or paper debris, streaks, and uneven ink distribution may appear in the printed material. Cleaning clogged inkjet print heads can take time and effort while preventing clogged print head nozzles requires some diligence and regular maintenance.
Use Often
The easiest way to keep your HP printhead clean and in working order is to use your printer regularly. This keeps the ink flowing properly and prevents it from drying out on your head. Use your printer every few days or at least once a week to keep the print head moist with fresh ink. The longer they sit unused, the more likely it is that the ink left on the head will dry out and cause clogs.
Clean Regularly
Even if you use your printer every day, dried ink droplets may remain in the pipe leading from the ink cartridge or on the print head. Use the printer's cleaning cycle at least once a month to flush out any remaining ink from the printhead. Tiny bits of paper can also get stuck inside the machine and printhead, so whenever you clean the printhead monthly, use canned air to blow away any dust or paper.
Store
If you don't plan to use the printer for an extended period, remove the ink cartridges and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to keep them fresh. This also prevents any ink from dripping into the tubes and print heads, drying out, and causing clogs. Depending on your printer, you can remove the printhead for cleaning or storage.
Turn Off The Printer
When the HP printer starts up, it moves the HP printhead and heats the ink in preparation for use. If you do not turn off the printer on the machine itself in order to return the carriage to its "original" position, the ink and print head may dry out and become clogged. Never turn off the printer via the power strip or surge protector. Instead, use the power button on the printer so that the printer shuts down properly to protect the print head and ink from damage or drying out.
What If My Printer Still Isn't Working?
If the printer still does not work properly after the above cleaning operations, the print head may be severely clogged or damaged. At this time, it is recommended to contact professional maintenance personnel for inspection and repair. In some cases, the printhead may need to be replaced with a new one. Also, old or damaged ink cartridges can cause printer performance issues. It is recommended that you choose a trustworthy brand such as True Image when purchasing ink cartridges. The ink cartridges and toner cartridges they provide are quality guaranteed, which can reduce printer damage.
