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Introduction |
| This guide will teach you how to clean a dirty or clogged printhead on common HP and Canon inkjets.[br] | | ***NOTE: These steps do not apply to Epson printers as the design and ink formulation do not allow this method to work. The ink format (ET- bulk ink tank or cartridge) does not change this.*** | | | * ***IMPORTANT: ''This does not fix every printer. These steps will not work on failed hardware!''*** | ** ***''If the problem persists, it is often due to a hardware problem with the printhead. On the model I used here (HP B210a), I noticed that it is more often than not caused by a failed printhead. This has become more and more common for a lot ofmany older printers like this compared to how often it was hardware when I initially published this guide. At that time, the issue was generally clog-related and recoverable; keep this risk in mind as a potential issue, not to discourage the attempt. Do not expect repairs to be economical when it's a hardware fault, as inkjets are "loss leaders" to the extreme of using Big Brother ink DRM to ensure you use OEM ink.''*** | | Guide Notes | | * ***WARNING: ''THIS PROCEDURE MAY "KILL" A PRINTER WITH A HARDWARE-LEVEL ISSUE—BEYOND REPAIR! Use caution if you suspect a possible HARDWARE issue! Write off these "risky" printers mentally and expect to replace them if you kill them"killed".''*** | * ***The printhead removal steps were written aroundfor the HP B210a and similarly designed printers (564/920 removable). If yours differsFor other series, you maywill likely need to find a differentmodel-specific guide to remove the printhead. Models like the HP Photosmart 6520 require special precautions as the headprinthead is permanently installed with springs(requires partial disassembly) and requires SETUP ink if disturbed andthe calibration is lost.*** | | * ***HP ONLY: ''Non-removable printhead models (E.g., Photosmart 6520, 564 ink tanks) require special attention to preserve the calibration as SETUP ink is required. On printers with this problem, try pressing "?" seven times to allow retail trade ink to be used if you lose the calibration. This is not guaranteed to work, but it is known to work on some models with this problem.''*** | | * ***''HP ONLY: If SETUP cartridges are required for your model, it is critical to preserve the calibration; these may not survive a lost calibration unless you can disable the trade ink block by pressing the "?" button ~seven times. This works on some of these models but not all of them.''*** | | ** ***''If I have not tested your printer, I cannot guarantee the calibration preservation procedure will work. No printers will be tested for the trade ink block; use at your own risk.''*** | | === HP ONLY: Tested models for printhead setup bypass === | | === HP ONLY: Power cord disconnect bypass: === | | ***IMPORTANT: This method should work for most printers with this printhead design, but I have not tested yours if it isn't listed. In addition, there are no guarantees it will work either (even if I have personally done it). A LOST CALIBRATION IS VERY WASTEFUL ON INK; HAVE A SET ON HAND OR SWAP ALL INK TANKS PROACTIVELY!*** | | | * Photosmart C6380 | | * Photosmart Premium C309g | | * Photosmart Plus B209a | | * Photosmart Plus B210a | | * ***Note: This procedure should work on MOST of these, but getting it wrong nukes the stored alignment (and you will need new ink). Pay close attention unless you can buy a set of ink if you miss it.*** |
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