If your HP device is no longer printing without streaks or error messages are appearing, you should clean the HP printhead. It’s not as complicated as it seems. Just follow a few tips and instructions to clean the printhead as thoroughly as possible.
Cleaning the HP print head: How to do it automatically
Over time, your HP printer may not print as desired. In most cases, the HP print head is only slightly dirty. In many cases, automatic cleaning of your HP printer will help. You can access this feature on most HP devices via the menu.
- Turn on your printer and make sure there is sufficient high-quality printer paper in the tray. Then open the settings and go to the “Extras” menu.
- Here, select the “Clean printhead” option. Your printer will then start cleaning the printhead and cartridges. This may take some time.
- Cleaning the print heads is even easier on newer HP printer models. The “Clean printhead” option can be found directly above the display under “Maintenance” or “Service.” Some models, such as the HP OfficeJet Pro series, start cleaning using key combinations on the printer.
- After the automatic cleaning process, it is best to print a test page. This allows you to check whether the measure was successful. If slight streaks are still visible, repeat the cleaning process two or three more times.
- However, keep in mind that ink is used from your cartridges every time you print. The test process should therefore not be performed too often.
Clean the HP printhead manually
If your print head still does not print cleanly after automatic cleaning, you can clean it manually. To do this, first remove the print head and then clean it with a special printer cleaning kit.
- Turn off your printer and open the access door to the cartridges. If they are not automatically in the middle, start the printer and wait until the cartridges move into the correct position.
- Carefully remove all cartridges using the small levers. Then place the cartridges on a flat surface with the ink openings facing up.
- Now remove the print head by pulling the large lever upward. Carefully remove the print head and place it on a piece of paper.
- Now lightly moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with distilled water and clean the contacts of the print head. Alternatively, you can use coffee filter paper or eyeglass cleaning cloths.
- Use a new, clean cloth to remove ink and dirt deposits from the edge between the nozzles and the contacts. Finally, clean the plastic sides of the print head with another cloth and dry all areas carefully.
- Then return to the printer: Clean the electrical contacts to which the print head is connected with movements from top to bottom and dry everything thoroughly.
- Reinsert the print head and printer cartridges and close your printer. Perform a test print to check the cleaning results.
A water bath for a clean print head
If not all ink residue can be removed, you can give your print head another water bath. However, this cleaning method is only useful if automatic or manual cleaning has not produced clear results. Caution is advised when performing this task to avoid damaging the print head.
- Fill a bowl with a few millimeters of distilled water or special nozzle cleaner. Carefully place the print head in the container.
- Make sure that only the lower part of the print head comes into contact with the water. The contacts must not get wet under any circumstances. This could cause serious damage to the print head.
- Leave the print head in the water bath for several hours and then wipe off any contamination with a lint-free cloth. Dry the device thoroughly before reinserting it into the printer.
- It is necessary to gently dab the print head. Do not rub this part of the printer too hard to avoid damage. Allow the print head to dry thoroughly. Only then is it ready for use and can be replaced in the printer.
