Does Your Printer Need a Clean-Up?

Ah the trusty printer you bought for your home office, stuck in the corner, overworked and neglected, probably gathering dust. So, it's time to give it a little maintenance, so it works better and lasts longer.

1. Check the nozzle

You can run a nozzle check from your computer to see if the print heads are clogged. Instructions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Check your user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions. Now, this step will use some of your valuable ink.

If you don’t have the manual, don’t worry as you can find plenty of instructions on line or on the printer manufacturers website.

Once you start the nozzle check, your printer will spit out a test page. If the test page has solid print lines, your nozzle is clean. If the print lines are broken up, your print head needs cleaning. Keep reading for the steps to take.

CW Tip: Print a page that uses every colour at least once a month to keep your printer happy.

If your nozzle check comes back poorly, it’s time to clean your print heads. Dust and ink can clog up the heads. Cleaning them will extend your printer’s life and make your prints look much nicer.

Print heads can be part of the printer cartridge or built into the printer, depending on your model. Again, instructions vary from printer to printer, so check with your manufacturer for specific instructions. If your printer has multiple options, start with the regular cleaning, then move up to the deep clean if necessary.

CW tip: Sometimes, neglected print heads need even more TLC. Your manual may instruct you to clean them physically if the automated processes can't do the job.

2. Dust all the nooks and crannies

Raise your hand if your printer is covered in dust. OK, clean it off.

Dusting the inside and outside of your printer will keep dust, dirt and grime from building up.

This means it will run more smoothly – and it will last longer. You don’t want to be too rough with the interior. Use a soft, lint-free cloth. A Q-tip works well for hard-to-reach spots, but don’t stick it in any ports or you might leave behind fuzz.

CW tip: Compressed air is helpful to give your printer a good dusting too.

3. Update your software and drivers

Every device we own requires updates to keep them running smoothly and protected against security vulnerabilities.

The same goes for your printer. Regularly check your manufacturer’s website for software updates for your printer. You won’t believe all the ways hackers find to break into our systems. 

If you need any further advice on your pritners or cartridges, thne why not check out our support section