Every device in a PC requires some maintenance cleaning and printers are no exceptions. A regular maintenance and cleaning can increase the life and output of inkjet printer. In this section, we will look into some common issues related to printer maintenance.

Cleaning Printer's Cartridge

Accumulation of dust particles on cartridge can easily affect the working of cartridge resulting in ink streaks and distortion on printouts. With the help of clean water and cotton swab (ear buds used to clean ears) or any lint free cloth that will not stick to the cartridges, you can easily clean the cartridge from dust particles. Let us now learn to clean a cartridge.

1. Press the power button on the Control Panel of printer. Next open the top cover of printer. The cradle (frame on which cartridges are positioned) moves to the center of the printer.

2. Disconnect the power cord from back of the printer. Now remove the cartridges from the prin'ter and place them on clean paper.

3. Lightly moisten the cotton swab or lint free cloth with water.

Name: Maint_tank_-_empty_-_L3312.jpg Views: 350 Size: 24.6 KB

4. Clean the faces and edges of cartridge with cotton swab or lint free cloth, as shown in. Inspect the face and edges of cartridge for dust particles. Repeat this step until dust particles and ink residues are completely cleaned.

5. Wipe the underside of cartridge wall using clean, moistened cotton swab or lint free cloth.

6. Insert the cartridge in the printer and close the top cover. Connect the power cord to the back of printer. Try to print a sample document. If ink streaks and distortions appear, repeat the cleaning procedure.