Self cleaning cartridge: the algorithm works

When using an inkjet or laser printer, it may be necessary to clean the cartridge. At home, devices are often used irregularly, but despite this, they need proper care. Timely cleaning contributes to high-quality printouts, allows you to extend the time of operation of equipment. The hand cleaning can be done in hot and cold ways. In order to implement it in time, you should know the first signs of the appearance of problems associated with the cartridges.

Signs of the need for cleaning

The fact that there is a need for inspection of inkjet printer cartridges, indicates a number of printing defects, the main ones are as follows:

• on checkout printouts, the templates contain uneven or fuzzy lines;
• while the device is working, ink blots appear on the sheets;
• one or more colors are missing when printing a test pattern;
• while taking photographs and other color images, horizontal stripes are formed on the paper.

Poor print quality

The considered defects are typical for different models of devices, for example, Epson, HP, Samsung, Canon. When the reboot does not help get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon, then you need to clean the device cartridges. There are several reasons why you should do it regularly:

• in case of downtime, it may happen that the paint in the nozzles has dried up and will need to be removed in order to remove clogs;
• dust from the air settles inside the printer, especially on the ink-covered components — the print head and the cartridges.

For laser devices, cleaning is carried out when replacing toner. At the same time, the old paint and other impurities are removed from the cartridge. Work is carried out with napkins, cloth or a lint-free brush. The important point is to keep the electrical contacts clean. Works are performed according to certain algorithms and do not require special skills.

Algorithm cleaning

Many of the "jet" have built-in automatic cleaning programs. To conduct it, proceed as follows:

• open the control panel;
• go to the settings of the printing equipment;
• there they select the required section - “Tools and cartridge cleaning”;
• make a trial printout of a clean slate.

The operation can be repeated several times. Built-in tools allow you to get rid of minor dirt.

If the function is not available, you can download the program from a disk or the Internet and install it. Then, in the print settings, select the section "Maintenance of Printers", then you will need to open the print settings, start cleaning. In this case, follow the instructions of the program. Most often, the procedure is required to be performed repeatedly.

When the program method did not help, then you can get rid of the problem in several other ways. The algorithms are the same for different models of inkjet technology, only the method of access to the cartridges differs.. For this you may need a set of screwdrivers with different nozzles.

The scheme of work, regardless of the selected cleaning method, is as follows:

• cartridge removal;
• soaking;
• flushing;
• drying;
• refueling;
• installation in the printer;
• check print.

We must work carefully so as not to smear the surrounding objects and clothing with ink.

Cool way

To implement the cold method, you will need to stock up on such affordable tools and materials:

• rubber gloves (medical);
• a syringe;
• paper napkins (cloth) or cotton;
• clean water;
• pipette;
• a special glass cleaner that contains isopropyl alcohol or ethylene glycol.

An example of a suitable detergent is Mr. Muscle, Mr. Brilliance.

The whole process takes place in the following sequence:

• withdraw the cartridge from the printer;

• have its nozzles up (on a special underneath);
• they are applied to the cleaning fluid with a few drops using a pipette;
• wait approximately 10 minutes;
• then wipe the nozzles with a napkin, wipe them dry with a cotton cloth.

A screwdriver may be required for removal - it depends on the model of the device used.

The above manipulations are not always sufficient. If the nozzles are clogged, the operation continues:

• take a small capacity;
• fill it with cleaning fluid, pouring approximately a layer of 3 mm;
• immersed in the nozzle;

• maintain them in a liquid hour 3;
• take out and wipe dry.

After wiping the nozzles of the cartridge located in the working position with a cloth, it should remain ink trailthat is the characteristic result of a thorough cleaning. As a container for washing composition suitable ordinary plastic lid from under the can.

If the stated actions did not lead to the desired result, then do the following:

• prepare a silicone or rubber plug, designed to close the air intake opening located on the top of the cartridge;
• pulling the piston, fill the syringe with the contents of the atmosphere;
• put a cut-out cap on a needle;
• insert it into the air intake;
• pressing on the piston of the syringe, squeeze out the air.

The dried dye is squeezed out of the nozzles formed high blood pressure. After the cartridge is cleaned, wipe, fill and insert it into place inside the device. The printout of the template checks the quality of cleaning.

Hot method

If the cartridge is dry, you can also use the hot method, when the preliminary wiping with napkins did not give the desired result. In this case, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

• the bottom of a small container is covered with hot water;
• immerse the nozzle into it;

• change the water without waiting for it to cool;
• the procedure is repeated until the staining stops;
• then the used detergent is poured into the used utensils, stirred with water, based on a ratio of 1 to 1;

• the bottom of the cartridge is left for a couple of hours in solution;
• after the cartridges are washed using hot water for this, then dried;
• check the permeability of the ink, wiping with a napkin nozzle, located in the position to work;

• when the result is unsatisfactory, then all manipulations are repeated anew.

Can also flush with a syringe as described above.

Specialty liquids are available for removing dried ink. They are even divided by the types of cartridges, but the scheme of working with them is the same.

When carrying out cleaning of the cartridge, it is not necessary to do any complicated manipulations, but the procedure itself is rather laborious. The easiest option during self-study is to use special firmware. If none of the considered methods leads to the desired result, then it is necessary to remove contaminants from the equipment used in the printing. When this does not help, you should contact the specialists of the service center. They will accurately determine the cause of the problem, advise options for fixing it.