Cleaning the Print Head

If printouts are faint or have gaps, or if there are streaks, ink drops, or incorrect colors in the prints, you should clean the printhead to clear the clogged nozzles. Clean the printhead 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:
  1. Make sure the printer is turned on and then select the  maintenance icon > Head Cleaning on the control panel.
  2. 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.
  3. Confirm the nozzle rows for cleaning based off of the check pattern and then select the appropriate cleaning option:
    • Select 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.
  4. On the LCD screen, select the nozzle rows for cleaning and then select OK.
    A confirmation message appears.
  5. Select Start.
    Head cleaning starts. When it is complete, a confirmation message appears.
  6. Select OK.
    If nozzles are still clogged, run the next higher level of cleaning. If nozzles are still clogged after cleaning the printhead several times, the anti-drying caps and the edges around the printhead may be soiled. Clean the anti-drying caps and around the printhead. If there are multiple large clogs, perform a Power Cleaning.