When a printer is malfunctioning is one of the most frustrating things.It doesn't look as good as it can when your papers are smudged.If this is the case, you should clean your ink cartridges.You can get your printer back up and running by using cleaning supplies to wipe off excess ink.
Step 1: Before touching the printer, put on a pair of latex gloves.
It can be difficult to clean off ink from your hands.No worries, if you have a latex allergy.You can use rubber or vinyl gloves.You should have multiple pairs of gloves.The cleaning process will be delayed if you try and clean the cartridges with ink-covered gloves.
Step 2: Before opening the printer, plug it in.
This work should not be done around a plugged-in printer.Unless the printer is plugged in, some printers won't allow you to change the ink.Lift up the printer's cover and remove the cartridges if this is true.Proceed to the next step after the printer is unplugged.Don't try to force them out when you open your printer after you unplugged it and found that you cannot remove the cartridges.It is possible to damage the insides of your printer.
Step 3: Take the printer out and open it.
If you want to see the inside of the printer, you have to lift the paper up from the bottom and look for a flap above it.Then, look for the one that is on the other side of the printer.There is no need to forcefully open the printer because the flap should lift up easily.
Step 4: Carefully remove the cartridges one-by-one.
Push down on the top of the cartridge to remove it from the holder.You may have to wiggle them a bit to loosen them up.Pull them from the printer.If you are too rough, you could damage the place in which they are stored.
Step 5: Use a paper towel to wipe the outside of the cartridges.
The paper towel should be folded in fourths.Rub a towel along the back and underside of the cartridges to remove ink build-up after pouring a cap's worth of alcohol onto the towel.To get rid of all the extra ink, Rub the cartridge multiple times.
Step 6: The print head needs to be cleaned.
The print head covers the ink.Take the cotton swab and run it along the print head.Go over the print head multiple times with the end of the cotton swab.If you are concerned about mineral deposits from your tap water, use distilled water.You can buy distilled water at your local grocery store.
Step 7: The circuitry strip needs to be scrubbed with a different wet cotton swab.
There is a strip on the back of the ink.Put a few drops of water on a cotton swab and delicately clean the circuitry by guiding the swab over it back and forth.Make sure the strip is completely cleaned by going over it 3-4 times.
Step 8: Get rid of the excess water on the ink.
To make sure the prints are dry, take an unused cotton swab and wipe the print head and circuitry.If you want to dry the cartridges, place them on a paper towel and let them sit for 15 minutes.When you let the cartridge sit out to dry, have the circuitry facing up.
Step 9: Return the cartridges to their holders.
Press them down and push them into their holders.If you hear a clicking sound, you know that the cartridge has snapped back into place.To make sure they aren't loose, wiggle the cartridges with your thumb and index finger.They should fit in the holders.
Step 10: Plug the printer back into it.
Plug the machine back in after you pull down the printer cover.Give the printer a few seconds to start working again.If everything looks right, you don't want to assume that the printer is working again.
Step 11: Print a document to see if your printer works.
If you make part of the document black and white, you can make sure the other part runs smoothly.You don't need to fill the page out with words or images, just type out a few sentences.Put those sentences in a different part of the page.The sentences should be highlighted and the words changed.To see how bright the colors are, you can print out the piece of paper.One piece of paper is all you need to do this.