Buzz
If your Epson printer is producing smudged, broken, or faded prints, it may be time to clean the printhead (or nozzles). Thankfully, Epson printers come with a built-in tool that makes cleaning the printhead easy. Start by printing a test page from the utility menu to confirm that the issue lies with the printhead. If cleaning is needed, run the cleaning cycle and print another test page to ensure the printer is functioning correctly. If the cleaning cycle doesn’t resolve the issue, you might need to flush the printhead to remove ink blockages or accumulated dirt.
Steps
Print a test page
Ensure the printer is powered on and the low ink warning light is off. The printer must be connected to a power source, with the lights and screen active. Check for any error messages on the display, and make sure the low ink warning light has turned off before proceeding.
- If the low ink light is blinking or on, replace the ink cartridges before cleaning the printhead.
- Any error messages on the screen must be addressed before proceeding with printhead cleaning.
Insert at least 10 blank sheets of paper into the printer. Place the paper properly into the printer's paper tray for testing and run the cleaning cycle. Ensure that the paper is completely clean, new, and loaded correctly in the tray.
- Wax paper or parchment paper can negatively affect the quality of the test print.
Open the printer properties menu from the control panel. Select the Start menu or search for Control Panel on your computer. Open the control panel and select your printer's menu. Click on the properties option to open the printer's property dialog box.
- Depending on your Windows or Macintosh (Mac) version, the printer properties menu may appear as 'Printer,' 'Setup,' or 'Options.'
- You might need to select the 'Maintenance,' 'Utility,' or 'Options' tab to find the printer properties section.
Print a test pattern and inspect for any gaps or faded areas. Click the option to print the test pattern. After printing, compare it to the sample shown on the screen. Look for any gaps, faded streaks, broken lines, or blurry details in the printout. This will help us determine whether the print head needs cleaning.
- On Mac, you'll need to click the 'Confirmation' button to print the test pattern.
- Print the test pattern before running the cleaning cycle to ensure that the issue lies with the print head.
Note: If the test pattern matches the screen sample with no gaps or defects, there's no need to clean the print head.
Run the cleaning cycle
Open the printer properties menu and select the Utility tab. Locate and click on the printer icon in the Control Panel to access the printer menu. Then, click on the 'Utility' or 'Maintenance' tab to open the printer's maintenance menu.
- Depending on your Windows or Mac version, the utility tab may also be labeled 'Printer Preferences,' 'Maintenance,' or 'Utility.'
Click on the Head Cleaning option to start the cleaning cycle. Find and click on the 'Head Cleaning' or 'Print Head Cleaning' option. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click 'OK' or 'Start' to begin the cleaning process.
- The printer's power button will start blinking to indicate that the cleaning cycle has begun.
Warning: Do not turn off or unplug the printer during the cleaning process, as this could cause permanent damage to the device.
Print a test pattern when the power light stops blinking. Once the power light stops blinking, it means the cleaning cycle is complete. Find the option to print the test pattern and click it to print another test sample.
- A dialog box with the test pattern printing option may appear when the cleaning process is finished. If not, click the test pattern option from the utility menu.
Review the test pattern and repeat the cleaning cycle if necessary. Compare the printed test sample with the one displayed on the screen. Look for any gaps, streaks, or defects (if present) on the printed page. If the printed sample doesn't match the on-screen image, run the cleaning cycle again and check the results.
- You can clean the print head up to 6 times.
Flush the print head
Unplug the power cable while the printer is printing. Print any page to start the print head moving. While the paper is printing, unplug the printer to free the print head. Then, carefully pull the paper out of the printer so you can proceed with cleaning the print head.
- Disconnect the power cable from the printer to make handling easier.
Open the printer cover and move the print head to the center. Lift the printer cover to access the print head containing the ink cartridges. You may need to manually slide the print head to the center of the printer for easier cleaning of the nozzles.
- Since you have disconnected the printer's power while it was operating, the print head will now be able to move freely along its track.
- If the print head does not move, do not force it. Reconnect the printer, print another page, and then disconnect the power again to release the print head.
Remove the ink cartridges and place blotting paper under the print head. Take the ink cartridges out of the printer by pulling them from above the print head. Set the cartridges aside for reinstallation later. Then, cut two strips of blotting paper, each 2.5 cm wide, and stack them under the print head to absorb moisture during cleaning.
- You can use scissors to cut the blotting paper.
- Blotting paper is available at craft stores, office supply shops, and online.
- If the printer notifies you that ink is running low, replace the cartridge as soon as possible to avoid clogs.
Attach a 2.5 cm silicone tube to a 10 cc syringe. Prepare a 10 cc syringe (without a needle). Cut a small 1.3 cm length of silicone tubing designed for model airplanes and attach it to the syringe. Ensure the silicone tube is securely connected and won’t slip off the syringe tip.
- The 2.5 cm silicone tube is available at hobby stores, remote control airplane shops, and online.
- You can purchase a clean syringe from pharmacies, department stores, and online.
Fill the syringe with cleaning alcohol and attach the silicone tube to the print head. Dip the end of the silicone tube into the alcohol solution, then gently pull the syringe plunger to draw the alcohol into the syringe barrel. Afterward, attach the silicone tube to the nozzle leading to the ink cartridge on the print head.
- Each ink cartridge has multiple nozzles, so make sure to clean each one individually.
- The silicone tube will fit snugly onto the print head nozzle.
- Avoid using alcohol-based or other water-containing cleaning solutions, as they can damage the print head.
Push the syringe plunger to clean the printer nozzles. With the silicone tube attached to the print head, gently and slowly push the plunger to force the alcohol through the printer’s nozzles. If you feel resistance, wait a bit for the alcohol to loosen any dried ink clogging the nozzle, then continue pushing the plunger to flush the alcohol through.
- Avoid forcing the plunger too hard to push the alcohol through the clog, as it could damage the nozzle.
Remove the silicone tube, refill the syringe, and attach the tube to a different nozzle for cleaning. Once the alcohol is used up, gently detach the silicone tube from the print head. Refill the syringe with alcohol and connect the tube to another nozzle of the ink cartridge on the print head. Carefully flush the alcohol through each nozzle, one at a time, until all are clean.
- You don’t need to flush the nozzles repeatedly to remove accumulated residues.
Warning: Be sure to check that the alcohol in the syringe has been completely flushed through the nozzles before removing the tube to avoid spilling liquid inside the printer.
Move the print head to the right and dispose of the blotting paper. After flushing the nozzles, slide the print head to the right. Remove the alcohol-soaked blotting paper and discard it. Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to thoroughly dry the area before proceeding.
Reinstall the toner cartridges and turn the printer back on for a test. Insert each toner cartridge into its corresponding slot on the print head. Ensure that each cartridge is securely placed in the correct position before closing the printer cover. Plug the power cord in and turn the printer back on. Print a test page or any image to check if the print quality has improved after the cleaning process.
- If the printout still shows gaps or streaks, the printhead might be damaged, and you may need to replace the entire printhead.
Tips
- Print a test sample before running the cleaning cycle to accurately identify the cause of the issue.
- Don't forget to replace the toner cartridge when the low ink warning appears to prevent blockages.
- Turn off the printer when not in use so the device can perform a short cleaning cycle and keep the ink from clogging.
Warnings
- Do not unplug the printer or turn it off while it is performing the cleaning cycle.
- Be cautious not to spill or splash cleaning alcohol onto the printer while cleaning the printhead.
Items You Will Need
Flush the Printhead
- 2.5 cm Silicone tube
- 10 cc syringe without a needle
- Cleaning alcohol
- Absorbent paper
