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How To / Maintenance

Cleaning the Print Head

Using the Head Cleaning utility

If you find that the printed image is unexpectedly faint or dots in the printed image are missing, you may be able to solve these problems by cleaning the print head, which ensures that the nozzles are delivering ink properly.

You can clean the print head from your computer using the Head Cleaning utility, accessed through the printer software. Windows users can also access the Head Cleaning utility using a shortcut icon.

Note:

Print head cleaning uses both color and black ink. To avoid wasting ink, clean the print head only if print quality declines; for example, if the printout is blurry or colors are incorrect or missing.

Use the Nozzle Check utility first to confirm that the print head needs to be cleaned. This saves ink.

Do not start the Head Cleaning or Nozzle Check utility while printing is in progress; otherwise, your printout may be marred.

Using the Head Cleaning utility

Refer to the appropriate section below to use the Head Cleaning utility.

Note:

If the Status Monitor 3, Progress Meter, or StatusMonitor displays a message indicating that the ink cartridges need replacing, you cannot clean the print head. Replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.

For Windows users

There are two ways to access the Head Cleaning utility:

Right-click the printer-shaped icon on the Windows taskbar and click Head Cleaning on the shortcut menu that appears.

Access the printer software and click the Utility tab, then click the Head Cleaning button. For details on accessing the printer software, see Accessing the printer software.

After opening the utility, follow the on-screen instructions. Click Print nozzle check pattern in the Head Cleaning dialog box to confirm that the head is clean and to reset the cleaning cycle.

Note:

The cleaning cycle takes about thirty seconds to complete.

Below are nozzle check patterns:

Good sample

Print head needs to be cleaned

In the check pattern, if you find that any segments are missing from the test lines, you may need to repeat the head cleaning and print the nozzle check pattern again.

If print quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, unplug the power cord of your printer and leave it alone overnight. Then do the head cleaning again.

If the print quality still has not improved, one or both of your ink cartridges may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. To replace an ink cartridge, see Replacing an Old or Damaged Ink Cartridge.

If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.

Note:

To maintain print quality, we recommend turning on the printer for at least one minute every month.

For Macintosh users

Follow the steps below to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility.

Access the printer software and click the Utility icon button in the Print or Page Setup dialog box, then click the Head Cleaning button in the Utility dialog box.

Follow the on-screen instructions. Click the Confirmation button in the Head Cleaning dialog box to print a nozzle check pattern and to reset the cleaning cycle. Use the check pattern to confirm the head is clean. To see a sample of the nozzle check pattern, see For Windows users.

If print quality has not improved after repeating this procedure four or five times, turn the printer off and leave it alone overnight. Then perform another head cleaning operation.

If print quality remains a problem after replacing the ink cartridges, contact your dealer.

Note:

To maintain print quality, we recommend turning on the printer for at least one minute every month.

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