Cleaning the print head

Follow these steps to clean the print head so it can deliver ink properly. Before cleaning the print head, run a nozzle check to see if the print head needs cleaning (& “Checking the print head” on page 22).

Note:

❏Print head cleaning uses ink, so clean it only if quality declines.

❏If a message on the LCD screen tells you that a cartridge is expended or low on ink, you cannot clean the print head. You must first replace the ink cartridge indicated (& “Replacing Ink Cartridges” on page 19).

1.Make sure the product is turned on but not printing.

2.Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button.

3.Use the l or r button to select Clean Print Head, and then press the x Start button to start cleaning.

During cleaning, one of the following screens is displayed.

Icon display

Text display

cCaution:

Never turn off the product while head cleaning is in progress. You may damage it.

4.When cleaning finishes, print a nozzle check pattern to check the results (& “Checking the print head” on page 22).

If there are still gaps or the test patterns are faint, run another cleaning cycle and check the nozzles again.

Note:

If you do not see any improvement after cleaning about four times, turn off the product and wait overnight. This lets any dried ink soften. Then try cleaning the print head again. If quality still does not improve, one of the ink cartridges may be old or damaged and needs to be replaced (& “Replacing Ink Cartridges” on page 19).

Aligning the Print Head

If you notice that vertical lines are not aligned

 

properly on the nozzle check printout, you may be

English

able to solve this problem by aligning the print head.

You can align the print head by pressing the buttons,

 

or you can run the Print Head Alignment utility from

 

your computer. For the most accurate alignment, the

 

utility is recommended.

 

 

 

1.Load A4-size plain paper (& page 6).

2.Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button.

3.Use the l or r button to select Align Print Head, and then press the x Start button to print the alignment sheet.

Note:

Do not press the y Stop/Clear button while printing an alignment pattern.

4.Look at pattern #1 and find the patch that is most evenly printed, with no noticeable streaks or lines.

5.Press the u or d button until the number for that patch is displayed on the LCD screen.

6.Press the x Start button.

7.Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each of the other alignment patterns.

8.Press the F [Setup/Utilities] button to return to the previous mode.

Maintenance 23