Clean the print cartridges

Use this feature when the self-test report shows streaking, white lines through any of the lines of color or when a color is muddy after installing a print cartridge for the first time. Do not clean print cartridges unnecessarily, as this wastes ink and shortens the life of the ink nozzles.

To clean the print cartridges from the HP Photosmart Software

1.Load letter, A4, or legal unused plain white paper into the input tray.

2.In the HP Solution Center, click Settings, point to Print Settings, and then click Printer Toolbox.

NOTE: You can also open the Printer Toolbox from the Print Properties dialog box. In the Print Properties dialog box, click the Services tab, and then click Service this device.

The Printer Toolbox appears.

3.Click the Device Services tab.

4.Click Clean the Print Cartridges.

5.Follow the prompts until you are satisfied with the quality of the output, and then click Done.

If copy or print quality still seems poor after you clean the print cartridges, try cleaning the print cartridge contacts before replacing the affected print cartridge.

Related topics

•Clean the print cartridge contacts

•Replace the print cartridges

Clean the print cartridge contacts

Clean the print cartridge contacts if you get repeated messages on your computer screen prompting you to check a print cartridge after you already have cleaned or aligned the print cartridges, or if the Check Print Cartridge light is blinking.

Before cleaning the print cartridge contacts, remove the print cartridge and verify that nothing is covering the print cartridge contacts, then reinstall the print cartridge. If you continue to get messages to check the print cartridges, clean the print cartridge contacts.

Make sure you have the following materials available:

•Dry foam rubber swabs, lint-free cloth, or any soft material that will not come apart or leave fibers.

TIP: Coffee filters are lint-free and work well for cleaning print cartridges.

•Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might contain contaminants that can damage the print cartridges).

CAUTION: Do not use platen cleaners or alcohol to clean the print cartridge contacts. These can damage the print cartridge or the HP All-in-One.

Maintain the HP All-in-One

Work with print cartridges

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