Cleaning is an easy way to extend the shelf life and performance level of your equipment. Laser printers contain complex moving mechanisms, like a toner cartridge that needs to be kept in good condition in order to perform the printing function. Ink dries if the device has been idle for a long time. Therefore, it is important to know the features and methods of cleaning the HP cartridge.
Inkjet MFP
Technical characteristics of the device are focused on fast printing of color and black-and-white images of high quality. Thanks to the presence of ink cartridges, printers stand out with an extensive selection of tones and cope with color mixing. Recreate photos on special glossy cards or on any type of heat sensitive paper.
The speed of work is poor. Equipped trays often do not hold many pages, therefore, this type is not suitable for book publishers. Color inks are more expensive due to the variety of palettes, and without knowing how to clean a cartridge in an HP printer, there is a high risk of spending savings on installation wizards. It is compact and does not take up much space, therefore it is suitable for home use and in small offices.
Laser MFP
Cleverly manipulates static electricity, allowing you to instantly display the image on a sheet of paper. Able to recreate basic photos for everyday use, but not able to print gallery quality. High speed performance. There are no color tones, so they are not optimal for photographers or designers.
Toner is a powdery ink, more granular than inkjet. The replacement frequency for new ones is lower, but with rare use they get lumpy, so you need to familiarize yourself with how to clean the HP laser printer cartridge in advance.
Equipped with a large capacity paper tray. Designed to print over a thousand pages per month, not succumbing to wear. Heavy and large, which makes installation in the home office difficult, but makes up for it with fast work.
Self-cleaning procedure
When installing drivers, the printer is synchronized with a computer or laptop, so you should carry out automatic diagnostics in advance. Follow the instructions to learn how to clean your HP laserjet cartridge.
- Open the control panel.
- Find devices and printers.
- Right-click and open properties.
- Insert a sheet of paper.
- In the window that appears, select the option "Deep cleaning".
Wait for the equipment to print an ink intensive test pattern. Repeat the procedure if the result is unsatisfactory.
How to prevent ink cartridges from drying out?
There are a number of reasons why the printer nozzles begin to print insufficiently brightly.
Infrequent use is the most common problem. Owners who rarely turn on the printer are faced with the fact that they don’t know how to clean a dried HP cartridge because it is clogged. It is possible to prevent the situation if regular testing of ink is performed during the diagnosis of equipment health.
Expired shelf life is the second problem. Use after a completed period threatens with blots on paper, smudges and uneven printing. Always check the date before purchasing for a long time. Try not to get rare color palettes, keep the printer in a room with a stable temperature and do not damage the tank when refilling ink.
Manual cleaning
Most inks are water-soluble, so if your steps to clean the cartridges off-line were unsuccessful, it is recommended that you use hot water. Fill her with a shallow bowl or cup. Remove the cartridges and place them in a container for 5-10 minutes. Lay on a cloth and leave for two hours or overnight. When they are completely dry, insert them back into the equipment and repeat the deep cleaning procedure.
Cleaning tools
Recommended supplies can be found at any local household appliance store or supermarket:
- Latex gloves for hand protection and hygiene.
- Thick disposable absorbent cloth. Pre-wet, squeeze and discard after cleaning.
- Isopropyl alcohol or aerosol spray with solution. The latter is popular in use for cleaning disks, tape drives. Efficiency is isolated by 99% isopropyl content.
- Mask. Protection against laser printer toner particles entering the throat and lungs, which can cause respiratory tract irritation, is a necessary safety measure if a person did not know how to clean the cartridges before. There are no fixed cases of death by inhalation of powdered ink, so the risk of further action lies entirely on the wearer's shoulders.
- A small brush with soft bristles. An alternative is a toothbrush. True, in hard-to-reach places, she is unlikely to cope with the work because of the short size.
- Cotton pads.
Technical Cleaning Instruction
First turn off the printer in an hour so that it cools down and does not electric shock. Prepare other tools and wear a face mask, gloves. To learn how to clean the cartridges, follow these steps:
- Open the printer. To learn how to perform an action, refer to the instruction manual of a specific model.
- Remove removable components. They include a cartridge, a toner or ink bottle, and a unit. Do not touch the surface of the drum unit and do not place it in places without light.
- Wipe the cartridges with a cloth. Remove excess traces of paint and place a container on it so that nothing leaks.
- Check the inside of the printer. Wipe the surface if colored spots are detected.
- Clean hard to reach areas with a brush. Remove all toner, dust, and debris found in crevices or on the back of the equipment.
- Clean the corona wires. Dip a cotton pad in isopropyl alcohol and wipe gently. Be sure not to miss the bottom. Act carefully, without pressure, as the corona wires are fragile and expensive.
- Wash the paper feed roller. Take a clean cotton pad and soak in alcohol, wiping the device in a circular motion to remove excess dirt.
- Insert all components and close the equipment.
- Clean and sanitize the outside of the printer. Get rid of dust, drops of paint and stains.
- Turn on the equipment.
Knowing how to clean the cartridges, repeat the automatic diagnostic procedure. If the instructions given did not bring the expected expectations, it is recommended to purchase a replacement or call the wizard.