Printers have made our life a lot easier, especially during a pandemic when we needed unexpected printouts for work or school. Now, printers are not only a part of office supplies, but they’re a necessity for homes as well. Regular usage of a printer can be expensive. Not because of buying ink cost, but also because it requires maintenance. 

If printers aren’t taken care of properly, they can create trouble. The most common problem that the machine has is the printhead blockage. This is because we often forget that the printhead nozzle needs cleaning because of all the residue that sticks to it. If you read this article further, you will understand how to clean and maintain the printhead during different kinds of clogging. 

The best way to avoid clogging is to buy an OEM cartridge for the printer brand. We understand OEM cartridges are expensive, hence we suggest buying from Need More Ink. The online retailer is an authorized dealer of HP ink and toner cartridges. They also provide heavy discounts and great deals on cartridges. Whether you need it for home or want to order in bulk for offices or schools, they have it all in stock to deliver anywhere in the USA. 

Types of clogs –

It is important to understand different types of clogs that create trouble for a printer. The cleaning method is decided to depend upon the kind of clog that can be seen –

Simple Clogs

Simple Clogs are mild clogs that can be cleaned just by running a damp towel. 

Process: Tiny pores in printheads allow colored ink droplets to escape. If your printer isn’t used frequently enough, or if there are air bubbles in your cartridge, the ink will dry out. Simple clogs can be remedied with a head cleaning cycle and a nozzle check on your printer. Run the pinnacle cleanup cycle twice while performing a nozzle inspection. You shouldn’t be noticing any missing lines in the output. If you find any missing lines, you’ll need to repeat the head cleanup process.

Stubborn Clogs or Hardcore Clogs

When dealing with stubborn clogs, a lot of effort is required. You’ll need an ammonia-based solvent for deeper cleaning.

Process:

• After turning on the printer, wait for the printing head to go to the track. Now, immediately turn off the printer by unplugging the main connection. 
• It will be easy for you to try cleaning the printer heads right now.
• Remove all the ink cartridges from the printer. Wrapping them in plastic wrap can be a good way to keep them from drying out while you’re at work.
• Fold a towel in half and dampen it with lukewarm water or a solvent (mentioned above).
• Place the damp towel on the print track beneath the carriage. Move the printheads back and forth over the damp towel and you will notice ink residue on the towel.
• Replace the ink cartridges, turn on the printer, and examine the print.
• If the clog is stubborn, soak the printheads in an ammonia-water solution for several hours. Then flushed the heads with hot water properly and cleaned gently. 

Different brands have different cartridges and printheads. However, almost all printhead cleaning process remains the same. If you’re unable to get a fine printout, then it is wise to take it to a nearby local store.