Is your printer producing irregular printing? Are you tired of having your print jobs messed up as a result? Well, look no further for solutions.

In this article, we teach you how to clean printer heads in very easy to follow steps.

In case you don’t know what printer heads are, this article will be a good read for you.

Cleaning Your Printer Heads

There are two major methods of cleaning printer heads. We have the computer self-cleaning method and the manual method.

We will discuss both in detail to give you a broad answer to the title question.

Self-Cleaning – Method 1

This is the first method you need to use when you notice your print jobs are becoming patchy and irregular.

You can use a software on your computer that allows the printer to self-clean itself.

We know there are Windows computers and Mac computers. So, we have decided to discuss how you can use this software on both.

Self-Cleaning Using Windows Computer

Step 1: Open the start menu

Locate the Windows logo on your computer’s taskbar and click it to open the start menu.

Step 2: Find “Control Panel”

You will need to find the control panel on your computer. This might vary depending on your version of windows.

For Windows 7, you can easily find “Control Panel” at the left column after opening the start menu.

For Windows 8 and 10 you’ll need to type in “Control Panel” so that your computer will display it.

Step 3: Click on “Control Panel”

After you have found it by whatever method as stated above in step 2, click on it.

Step 4: Select Devices and Printers

On the right part of the page, you will see the “Devices and Printer” option. It is represented by a printer icon. Click it to continue.

For some Windows like Windows 7, you will find this option under “Hardware and Sound”. Or you can access it directly from the Start menu as it is directly under the control panel option.

Step 5: Right-click on your printer

At this point, you will need to open your printer’s menu. To do so; simply right-click on your printer from the list of available printers.

Step 6: Click on “Properties”

After step 5, you will see a drop-down menu. Click on the “properties” option.

Step 7: Click “Hardware” or “Maintenance”

Click on “Hardware” or “Maintenance” depending on your device.

Step 8: Click the “Clean” option

The clean option might vary from device to device. Some might say “Clean Heads”, while others might be labeled as “Clean Cartridges”.

In the event where you can’t find this option, you’ll have to consult your printer’s manual.

It will help you verify if your printer has the self-cleaning feature.

Step 9: Follow on-screen instructions

You might be prompted to click on commands during the self-cleaning process. Make sure you follow the instructions until the process is complete.

This should get your printer heads cleaned. If it doesn’t there’s method 2.

Self-Cleaning Method Using Mac Computer

Step 1: Open Mac menu

On the top of your screen, you will find the Apple logo, click on it to open your Mac menu.

Step 2: Click on “System Preferences”

In the drop-down menu; click on “System Preferences”.

Step 3: Click on “Printers and Scanners”

At the right part of the window, click on “Printers and Scanners”.

Step 4: Choose your printer

Click on the printer that you want to be cleaned.

Step 5: Click on “Options and Supplies”

This option should be in the center of the current window.

Step 6: Click on “Utility”

You’ll find this tab in the upper part of the window.

Step 7: Click on “Open Printer Utility”

This option is at the center of the current window.

Step 8: Click the “Clean” option

This option might vary from printer to printer. Some printers have this option as “Head Cleaning”. While others have it as “Cartridge Cleaning”.

Some printers have this option hidden in a drop-down menu at the upper part of the window. Click the drop-down box and click on “Cleaning”.

In the event where you can’t find this option, you’ll have to consult your printer’s manual.

It will help you verify if your printer has the self-cleaning feature.

Step 9: Follow on-screen instructions

You might be prompted to click on commands during the self-cleaning process. Make sure you follow the instructions until the process is complete.

This should get your printer heads cleaned. If it doesn’t there’s method 2.

Manual Cleaning – Method 2

This method is used when method 1 did not work. This method requires you to get down-dirty and physical.

Let’s take you through the drill quickly…

Step 1: Gather the required items

For you to manually clean your printer heads, you need to get the following:

i. Water

ii. Isopropyl alcohol

iii. Paper towels

iv. A bowl

Step 2: Put off and disconnect the printer from power

This is important to avoid damage to the printer. It also prevents you from getting hurt in the process. We don’t want any nasty shock now, do we?

Step 3: Take out the cartridges

 First of all, open the casing of your printer. After that, take out the ink cartridges one after the other.

We recommend you read your printer’s manual to learn how to take out the cartridges from your printer.

Step 4: Take out the print heads tray or unit

The print head tray or unit is the tray where the cartridges rest on.

To be sure what you remove is the print head unit; you will see some holes at the tray’s bottom.

You will have to skip this step if the print heads are attached to your ink cartridges.

Step 5: Mix the water and isopropyl alcohol

At this point, you will need to make a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. You can make use of four ounces for each liquid.

The addition of water ensures that the isopropyl alcohol does not cause damage to the printer heads.

Step 6: Transfer the mixture to the bowl

Remember the bowl we asked you to get? This is where you use it.

Take the mixture made in step 5 and transfer it to the bowl. Don’t make it too full; a quarter-inch depth is fine.

Step 7: Put the print head in the mixture

If the print head of your printer is attached to your ink cartridges, put the cartridges into the mixture.

Step 8: Leave it for about two minutes

This will allow the dried ink to become loose.

Step 9: Dab print head on the paper towel

The action allows you to get rid of unnecessary moisture from the body of the print head.

It is advisable you make sure the print heads or your ink cartridges as the case may be is completely dried.

Step 10: Return the print head and cartridge

Place the print head into the printer and then do the same for the ink cartridges.

You can then run a test print. Your printer should be working fine now.

However, if it doesn’t, you might have to leave it in the mixture overnight. It means the clog is severe.

The next morning you can replace it and see how it works.

If it still doesn’t work, you might have to change the printer heads or ink cartridge completely.

Learn how to clean your printer heads in the video below.

Conclusion

With the steps above you should be able to get those clogged ink cleaned from your print heads.

If you have any further questions, let us know in the comments section and we will get back to you.