How to Clean Print Heads
It’s important to clean your print heads every time the printing seems “dirty” or your printer refuses to print at all. In fact, inkjet printers can suddenly stop printing even if the ink cartridges are not empty. In the vast majority of cases, this is because the ink has dried and is clogging the print head. This can happen for several reasons, the most frequent of which is prolonged non-use of the printer. Indeed, ink is a liquid product based on water and different solvents that can evaporate and dry on the head, preventing printing.
This happens more easily if the printer is placed in a location that is reached by sunlight or in a rather warm and dry environment. When this occurs, there are a few things that you can do, although prevention truly is the best weapon at your disposal. Keep in mind that there are two types of printers on the market today: those that don’t have their own print heads (they use cartridges with their own head) and those that have print heads installed in the printer. Check your user manual to see which type of printer you have, as the steps to be carried out are different.
Things you will need
- Basin with water
- Cotton swab or toothpick
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- WD-40® Multi-Use Spray
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- Isopropyl alcohol
Step 1
PREVENTION AND AUTOMATIC CLEANING
Regardless of the type of printer, prevention is always best, which should be done as follows:
- Place the printer out of areas that can be reached by sunlight and away from heat sources (e.g., heating radiators).
- Turn off the printer using the appropriate command on the display, so that it performs a head cleaning cycle.
- Have the heads cleaned by selecting the relevant command from the menu on the printer display or through the specific software installed on your computer. With this action, the printer forces a certain amount of ink to pass through the print head. The solvents contained in the ink dissolve the obstruction.
- Don’t leave your printer idle for more than a few days in a row.
Step 2
CLEAN CARTRIDGES EQUIPPED WITH THEIR OWN HEAD
The cartridges must be removed from their seat and placed with the head pointing downwards in a basin with only lukewarm water, immersed just enough to keep the head constantly wet. Leave them like this for a few hours, during which the dried ink will dissolve. The cartridges and their heads must then be thoroughly dried before putting them back in the printer.
Step 3
AUTOMATIC CLEANING AND MECHANISM LUBRICATION
When inserting the print heads, apply a few drops of WD-40 Multi-Use to the movement and sliding mechanisms of the cartridges, as well as the locking systems of the same. Then have the printer automatically clean the cartridge heads through the printer software or menu. If after this the printer still won’t print, replace the cartridge: in doing so, the incorporated head is also replaced.
Step 4
REMOVING CARTRIDGES IN PRINTERS WITH INSTALLED HEADS
Always run an automatic cleaning cycle first. If this doesn’t solve the issue, open the printer and remove the ink cartridges so you can see the heads inside the printer.
Step 5
CLEANING THE HEADS
To clean the printer heads, use a cotton swab (or a toothpick with a piece of foam rubber attached). The most suitable liquid for this task is isopropyl alcohol: wet the foam or cotton swab and apply it on the head by rubbing gently and being careful not to leave any lint or other residues. You can also try it with warm water, but be careful not to get the internal circuits wet.
After this, we suggest spraying a little WD-40 Specialist Rapid-Drying Contact Cleaner on the electrical connections that can be reached in order to ensure the total removal of any drops of the washing liquid. After this step, leave the printer open for a few hours to facilitate the total drying of the heads, before replacing the cartridges and running an automatic cleaning cycle.
Step 6
REPLACING THE HEADS
Some printers have removable and replaceable heads. To clean these, consult the use and maintenance manual. This is a fairly simple operation and is necessary if the head still doesn’t work after cleaning it.
No More Hiccups: Mastering Print Head Maintenance.
In the realm of printer maintenance, conquering the challenge of clogged print heads is paramount for optimal performance. Whether you own a printer with its own print heads or cartridges equipped with heads, this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to keep your printing quality pristine.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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