How to clean a print head.

How to Clean a Print Head on Your Inkjet Printer (and Why It Matters)

If your prints are coming out streaky, faint, or with missing colours, there’s a good chance your printer’s print head needs cleaning. At Cartridge King, we know how frustrating this can be — especially if you’ve just bought new cartridges and the quality still isn’t right. The good news? With the right steps, you can often fix the problem at home.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

  • What a print head is

  • How to clean it on an inkjet printer

  • Why cleaning is different on a laser printer

  • When it might be better to replace cartridges instead

What is a Print Head?

The print head is the part of your inkjet printer that sprays tiny droplets of ink onto the paper to form images and text. Over time, ink can dry or clog inside the nozzles, leading to poor print quality.

Cleaning a Print Head on an Inkjet Printer

There are two main ways to clean a print head: automatic cleaning using your printer’s software, and manual cleaning if the blockages are more stubborn.

1. Use the Printer’s Built-In Cleaning Tool

Most modern inkjet printers (Canon, Epson, HP, Brother, etc.) come with a built-in utility for cleaning the print head.

  • Windows PC:
    Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > [Your Printer] > Printing Preferences > Maintenance/Tools tab > Clean Print Head.

  • Mac:
    Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > [Your Printer] > Options & Supplies > Utility > Open Printer Utility > Clean Print Heads.

Run the cleaning cycle, then print a test page. Sometimes it takes two or three cleanings to see improvement.

⚠️ Cartridge King tip: Print head cleaning uses extra ink. If your cartridges are running low, consider replacing them first — especially if you’re using genuine cartridges, as these clog less often than compatibles.

2. Manual Cleaning (If the Automatic Method Doesn’t Work)

If the built-in tool doesn’t fix the issue, you may need to clean the print head yourself.

For Printers with Removable Print Heads

  1. Switch off and unplug the printer.

  2. Remove the ink cartridges carefully.

  3. Take out the print head (check your printer’s manual first — not all allow removal).

  4. Soak the print head in a shallow dish of warm (not boiling) distilled water for 10–15 minutes. This helps dissolve dried ink.

  5. Gently dab the nozzles with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

  6. Let it air dry completely before reinstalling.

  7. Reinsert cartridges, run another cleaning cycle, then print a test page.

For Printers with Fixed Print Heads (e.g. many Canon & Epson models)

  • Place a damp (distilled water) paper towel under the print head carriage and move it back and forth.

  • This can help draw out dried ink without disassembly.

Cleaning on a Laser Printer — Do You Need To?

Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers don’t use print heads. Instead, they rely on a toner cartridge and a drum unit that applies toner powder to paper using heat and pressure.

If you’re seeing streaks or marks on your laser prints:

  • Remove the toner cartridge and gently shake it side to side to redistribute toner.

  • Clean any visible dust with a lint-free cloth.

  • If problems persist, the drum unit may need replacing.

⚠️ Cartridge King tip: Cleaning rarely fixes laser issues long-term. If print quality is poor, replacing the toner or drum is usually the best solution.

When to Replace Instead of Clean

If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem after 2–3 tries, the issue may be:

  • Empty or faulty cartridges

  • Worn-out print head (common on older inkjets)

  • Drum failure (on lasers)

In these cases, replacing the cartridge is the simplest fix. At Cartridge King, we only supply genuine ink and toner cartridges from leading brands (Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, and more) — helping you avoid unnecessary blockages and keeping your prints sharp.

👉 Browse our ink and toner range here

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your print head can restore your printer and save you the cost of replacing it too soon. Start with the built-in cleaning tool, try manual cleaning if needed, and remember that laser printers work differently. If your cartridges are nearly empty or the problem keeps coming back, replacement may be the smarter choice.

Cartridge King takeaway: Keeping your printer healthy is all about regular maintenance and using high-quality cartridges. That way, you’ll enjoy clean, sharp prints every time.


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