{"id":7863,"date":"2019-08-23T22:34:17","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T22:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/?p=7863"},"modified":"2023-08-05T00:41:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-05T00:41:07","slug":"how-to-clean-an-hp-printhead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-an-hp-printhead\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean an HP Printhead"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Learn how to clean your HP printhead so you can keep your cartridges and printer running longer.<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

HP printheads clog periodically as small amounts of ink or dust dry up and collect in the nozzle.\u00a0 Faint, streaky or spotty prints are all common signs of a clog but a simple cleaning can usually get your HP ink cartridges working again.\u00a0 Printheads clog due to infrequent cartridge use.\u00a0 If you regularly go a few weeks without printing, your cartridges will eventually dry out and need to be replaced.\u00a0 Cleaning the printhead can prolong your cartridge life and hopefully delay that replacement cartridge purchase!\u00a0 In this guide we’ll explain how HP printheads work and show you the best way to keep them clean.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What is a printhead?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The printhead is a printer component that helps transfer ink onto the page.\u00a0 It does this by firing tiny droplets of ink via numerous printer nozzles to create a desired print.\u00a0 When one of these nozzles gets clogged your prints appear faded or streaky.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"\"<\/a>What are the types of HP printheads?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Printheads can either be a part of the printer cartridge or built into the printer \u2013 it all depends on which HP printer you own.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Type 1: Printheads that are built into the cartridge <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Printer cartridges with a built-in printhead are called integrated printer cartridges. With this type, the nozzle plate (printhead) is built into the side of the cartridge.\u00a0 \u00a0Every time you replace one of these printer cartridges you are also replacing the printhead, so if you are having a hard time with a particularly streaky cartridge, swapping it out with a brand new cartridge will usually solve your print quality problem.\u00a0 HP only sells integrated printer cartridges in black and tri-color and they are often used in cheaper Deskjet and ENVY printer models like the Deskjet 1112 or the ENVY 7855.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Integrated ink cartridge examples:<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

HP 61 series, HP 62 series, HP 63 series, HP 64 series, HP 65 series and HP 67 series<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Type 2: Printheads that are built into the printer<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

HP printheads that are built into the printer use individual ink cartridges to create a print. \u00a0The nozzle plate (printhead) for these types of cartridges is included in the printer and the cartridges install into that printhead to create a print.\u00a0 These kinds of printheads require replacement after long term use \u2013 however- since most printheads cost upwards of $100 and some replacements can be hard to find, it is usually cheaper to just buy a new printer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Individual ink cartridge examples:<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

HP 902 series, HP 952 series, HP 910 series, HP 962 series<\/p>\r\n

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How to automatically clean an HP printhead<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The easiest way to resolve your print quality issue is by running a cleaning on your printer.\u00a0 The cleaning function is included in the software of every HP printer model and is usually found under the \u201cprinter maintenance\u201d section of your printer\u2019s display menu.\u00a0 Consult your printer manual for specific instructions for you machine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Printhead cleanings can take about 1 or 2 minutes and they do use some ink to run through the cleaning process. Once complete, print out a test page to compare print quality.\u00a0 If the print results look good, you can continue printing.\u00a0 If the colors are not up to par, you may have to run the printhead cleaning function 2-4 more times before print quality is reestablished.\u00a0 If you still aren\u2019t getting quality prints after a few cleanings, move on to our manual cleaning instructions.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to run the cleaning function too often because it will deplete the ink in your cartridges.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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How to manually clean an HP printhead<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Before we continue, you need to know that some HP inkjet printers come with a built-in printhead separate<\/em> from the ink cartridges, and there are also some HP inkjet printers with printheads built into<\/em> the individual ink cartridges.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Cleaning printheads built into printer<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Manually cleaning a printhead that is built in to your printer takes a bit more work.\u00a0 The steps below are for HP printers that have a removable printhead, like the HP OfficeJet 8710. You can also uses this method on non-HP printers with printheads built into the printer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Required supplies: a plastic container, a couple of dry paper towels, a lint-free cloth and filtered or distilled hot water.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. Fold the dry paper towel into quarters and place it in the plastic container<\/li>\r\n
  2. Pour about two inches of hot water on top of the paper towel so that it is completely submerged<\/li>\r\n
  3. Open up the printer and remove all of the ink cartridges from the machine<\/li>\r\n
  4. Set the cartridges aside on a separate paper towel while you continue the printhead cleaning process. Make sure the cartridges are facing up on the paper towel.<\/li>\r\n
  5. Lift up on the gray latch behind the cartridge carriage that holds the cartridges. This will release the printhead from the printer.<\/li>\r\n
  6. Pull the printhead up and out to remove it from the machine.<\/li>\r\n
  7. Dampen the lint-free cloth with hot water.<\/li>\r\n
  8. Gently wipe away an excess ink on the printhead nozzle.<\/li>\r\n
  9. Place the printhead in the container with the submerged paper towels. The nozzle should be facing down. Be careful not to touch the nozzle as it can be damaged easily.<\/li>\r\n
  10. Let the printhead soak for about ten minutes.\u00a0 Then remove it from the container and set it on a dry paper towel to dry for fifteen minutes.\u00a0 The nozzle should be facing up.<\/li>\r\n
  11. Reinstall the printhead back into the printer.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to secure the latch!\u00a0 Then reinstall the cartridges and run the cleaning function on the machine again.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Cleaning printheads built into ink cartridges<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    If your printer uses cartridges with an integrated printhead, you can try the \u201cpaper towel method\u201d to resolve your print quality issue.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Required supplies: A warm, damp paper towel and a dry paper towel<\/p>\r\n\r\n