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 32).

Note:

❏Make sure the CD/DVD guide is not ejected (& page 10).

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

❏When ink is low, you may not be able to clean the print head. When ink is expended, you cannot clean the print head. Replace the appropriate ink cartridge first (& “Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges” on page 29).

1.Press F [Setup]. (If you have just finished checking the print head, you can start cleaning by pressing x Start, and then go to step 5.)

2.Select Maintenance, then press OK.

3.Select Head Cleaning, then press OK.

4.Press x Start.

The printer begins cleaning the print head. Follow the message on the LCD screen.

c Caution:

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

5.When cleaning finishes, a message is displayed on the LCD screen. Press

x Start to print a nozzle check pattern to check the results (& “Checking the print head” on page 32).

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 printer and wait for at least six hours. 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

(& “Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges” on page 29).

Aligning the Print Head

If your printouts contain misaligned vertical lines or horizontal banding, you may be able to solve this problem by aligning the print head.

1.Load A4-size plain paper into the rear feeder (& page 7).

2.Press F [Setup].

3.Select Maintenance, then press OK.

4.Select Head Alignment, then press OK.

5.Press x Start. Four rows of alignment patterns are printed.

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

7.Select the number for that patch, then press OK.

8.Enter the numbers for the other patterns in the same way.

9.When you finish, press OK and you see a message indicating alignment is complete.

English

Maintenance 33