Cleaning the Print Head Using a Computer Utility

You can clean the print head using a utility on your Windows or Mac computer.
  1. Make sure there are no errors on the LCD screen and the output tray is extended.
  2. Load a few sheets of plain paper in the product.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • Windows: Access the Windows Desktop and right-click the icon for your product in the right side of the Windows taskbar, or click the up arrow and right-click .
    • Mac: In the Apple menu or the Dock, select System Preferences or System Settings. Select Print & Fax, Print & Scan, or Printers & Scanners, select your product, and select Options & Supplies. Select Utility and select Open Printer Utility.
  4. Select Head Cleaning or Print Head Cleaning. You see a window like this:


  5. Click Start to begin the cleaning cycle. You see a message on the computer screen during the cleaning cycle. The  power light flashes throughout the cleaning cycle and stays on when the cleaning cycle is finished.
    Caution:
    Never open the inner cover or turn off the product during a cleaning cycle or you may damage it.
  6. When the cleaning cycle is finished, you can check to see if the nozzles are clean; click Print Nozzle Check Pattern and click Print.
  7. Check the printed pattern to see if there are gaps in the lines.

    Print head is clean



    Print head needs cleaning



    Print head needs Power Cleaning



    • If there are no gaps, click Finish.
    • If there are gaps or the pattern is faint, click Clean to clean the print head again.
    • If almost the entire pattern is missing, click Finish and perform a Power Cleaning.

If you don’t see any improvement after cleaning the print head up to 3 times, turn the product off using the  power button and wait at least 12 hours. Then run a nozzle check and try cleaning the print head again, if necessary. If quality still does not improve, run a Power Cleaning.

Related tasks
Checking the Nozzles Using a Computer Utility
Power Cleaning Using a Computer Utility
Related references
Where to Get Help
Related information
Loading Paper