Cleaning the Print Head

If printouts are faint or have gaps, you should clean the print head to clear the clogged nozzles. Clean the print head only if print quality declines or image colors are incorrect, and when a message appears telling you maintenance is needed. Ink is consumed for all colors or selective color channels, depending on the cleaning method selected.

You can select from Auto Cleaning or three levels of manual head cleaning:

Start with Auto Cleaning. If the clogs are not cleared, run manual head cleaning in order from light to heavy.
If you cannot clear the clogged nozzles after cleaning with the light or medium level several times, check the condition of the suction cap and, if necessary, clean it before using the heavy cleaning level.

Make sure the printer is turned on and then select Menu > Maintenance > Head Cleaning on the control panel.
Select a cleaning method:
- If you select Auto Cleaning, go to step 5.
- If you select one of the manual cleaning options, go to the next step.
Confirm the nozzle rows for cleaning based off of the check pattern and then select the appropriate cleaning option:
- Selected Nozzles: Select this option when you see faint printing or gaps in a specific row of nozzles in the check pattern. You can select multiple nozzle rows, if necessary.
- All Nozzles: Select this option when you see faint printing or gaps in all rows of nozzles in the check pattern. Go to step 5.
On the LCD screen, select the nozzle rows for cleaning and then select OK. A confirmation message appears.
Select Start. Head cleaning starts. When it is complete, a confirmation message appears.
Select Yes to print a nozzle check pattern to confirm that the nozzles are cleared. If clogging is cleared, you are done. If some nozzles are still clogged, return to step 1 and run Cleaning (Light). If nozzles are still clogged, run the next higher level of cleaning. If nozzles are still clogged after cleaning the print head several times, the edges around the print head may be soiled. Clean around the print head.