How to Clean a Printer – A complete Guide

Oh, no! Strikes! Colors are missing! Lines in white! Want to know how to clean a printer?

Nothing bums out an inkjet user more than the dreaded clogged printer head. Clogging of the print head with dust, dirt, and dried ink. These block the small pores on the print head, resulting in streaky prints with white lines where color should be. Only a portion of your inkjet is jetting.

Paper jams and other printer problems are very annoying when it is time to do some serious paperwork. Fortunately,  you can easily resolve most minor problems through manual cleaning. Typically, you need to apply the automated cleaning option of the printer. If that doesn’t work, clean the paper rollers and cartridges manually. In that case, you will need a clean cloth and water. In no time, you’ll have a clean printer!

This is a common phenomenon, and most users don’t know how to clean a printer? I hope this article will help you clean your printer.

How to Clean a Printer – The Methods

1. Allowing the “Automatic Cleaner on Your Printer” Option

• Check Your Handbook or Manual to See Whether You Can Use the Control Panel to Initiate a Clean

Find “cleaning” or a similar keyword in the manual index that comes with your printer. To initiate an automated clean, follow the instructions for using the printer’s buttons. Each printer, like “Canon printer” or “HP printer,” are different; that’s why it’s important to use the directions that came with your make and model.

Generally, that’s all is required to clean the printer’s inside. If you can’t find your manual or handbook, don’t worry; look for it online by Browsing for your printer model and the word “manual.” Most of the established brands like “EPSON Printer” or “Bother printers” have their online manual

• If Required, Open Your Printer Software on the Computer and Check for the “Clean” Function

The “cleaning” feature may not be accessible immediately from the printer buttons on some printers. You can begin the cleaning application from your computer if your manual doesn’t mention it. Right-click the printer icon at the bottom of your computer screen to access these choices.

When the menu displays, choose one of the following options: “Maintenance,” “Utility,” “Toolbox,” or “Properties.” Depending on the sort of printers (Canon printer or HP Printer) you have, the options will be printer-specific as well as model-specific.

After that, choose the cleaning option.

• To Determine if the Cleaning was Successful, Print a Test Page

Your printer may print a test page or not after you execute the cleaning function. It will depend on your printer model. If it doesn’t work, double-check your manual. It should include detailed instructions for printing a test page. If the ink still looks smudged or the paper jams, rerun the cleaning program.

2. Keeping the Paper Rollers Clean

• For Keeping the Paper Rollers in Good Shape, Remove the Paper Tray

Usually, you can find the paper rollers on paper by simply upholding the paper tray from the printer. Mainly, the paper rollers are made of rubber and are about.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide.

You may need to rotate the printer to see the bottom, where the rollers are typically located.

• On a Laser Printer, Check for Both the Paper Rollers in the Access Panel

In most cases, the rollers remain close to the paper tray, but not always. If you don’t see them, open the printer’s access panel. It will depend on the model, can be found on the front or rear of the printer. To get to the rollers, you may need to remove the printer cartridge.

• Soak a Clean Cloth with Slight Water

Obtain a dry, clean, and lint-free soft cloth. Soak the cloth in a cup of water until it is moist but not saturated. In that case, the ideal is distilled or filtered, but any clean water will suffice.

• To Clean, the Whole Surface, Rotate the Rollers While Cleaning Them

Using the moist towel, gently spin the rollers. Make a few spins to ensure that eliminated all dust and debris from the rollers.

You may not be able to spin the rollers on laser printers manually. Don’t worry; you can quickly remove the rollers by unsnapping the clips that keep them in place. After wiping the rollers clean, pack them and secure them with the hooks.

Remaining the dry parts of the roller, use a dry cloth.

• Close the Printer and Check it by Printing a Test Page

After you close the access panel or replace the paper tray, your printer may produce and become ready to print a test page. If not, see your handbook for instructions on how to print a test page.

If your printing problems persist, clean the rollers once again.

3. Cleaning the Cartridge of a Printer

• Open Your Printer and Remove the Ink Cartridge

Find your printer’s access panel on the front or rear, depending on the brand. Gently pull out the printer cartridge according to the instructions in your handbook. They should just come out on their own.

• Place the Cartridge, Nozzles Down, into a Bowl of Warm Water

For different printers, there are small nozzles on one side of the cartridge. Dip these nozzles in a bowl of warm water. Take a note that the water must be just a bit warmer than room temperature.

Soak the cartridge with a dry and clean cloth and let it sit in the air for 10 minutes. After you take the cartridge out of the bowl, wipe it dry with a clean cloth. You may allow it to air dry for about 10 minutes.

• Change the Cartridge and Print a Test Page

Set the print cartridge back into the printer and close the access panel. Your printer will probably print a test page.

If your printer doesn’t print a test page, check your instruction manual to see how to run one.

Last Small trick to know

If you still see streaks or the paper persists smear, clean the platen or roller to remove built-up ink. Then use the vacuum cleaner or canned air to eliminate any remaining ink or dust particles from the printer.

Final Verdict

Many printer manufacturers in the markets will assure you differently (often conceited about the technological improvements they’ve made in print heads). Still, they don’t mind when your print heads clog.

Deteriorating ink running nozzle checks? Cool by them. That means you buy more ink, which makes them happy.

Keeping your print heads clean is your responsibility to avoid future hassle. This article may help you now to understand better “how to clean a printer.”

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