How to clean an inkjet print head
Run a nozzle check and your printer's cleaning cycle to clear clogged inkjet nozzles, and learn when to stop, let it rest or clean by hand.
Inkjet printers spray ink through tiny nozzles that can dry out and clog, showing up as missing lines, streaks, faded text or wrong colors. The built-in cleaning cycle clears most clogs, but it uses ink, so check first and clean only as much as needed. Laser printers have no print head to clean.
Steps
On the printer
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Print a nozzle check first
Load plain paper, then look under Maintenance, Tools, Setup or an ink-drop icon on the printer's screen for a nozzle check or print quality report. If every line and color block is complete, the head isn't clogged and cleaning will only waste ink.
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Rule out empty or new cartridges
If one color is missing completely, check that cartridge isn't empty and that any protective tape or plastic tab was removed from a new one. Make sure each cartridge clicks firmly into place.
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Run one cleaning cycle
Choose Clean printhead, Head cleaning or a similar option from the same menu. It takes from about a minute to several minutes, and pumping or whirring sounds are normal. Don't open the lid or turn the printer off until it finishes.
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Check again and repeat up to three times
Print another nozzle check. If it has improved but isn't perfect, run another cycle. Stop after three cycles in a row, because each one uses ink and repeated cycles rarely shift a stubborn clog.
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Let it rest, then try again
If three cycles didn't clear it, leave the printer on but idle for several hours or overnight so the ink can soften the clog, then check and clean once more. Some printers offer a deeper cleaning option; it uses much more ink, so use it once, only after normal cleaning fails.
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Clean cartridge contacts gently if your cartridges include the head
Where the print head is built into the cartridge, turn the printer off and unplug it before reaching inside, then remove the cartridge. Follow the manufacturer's instructions; many say to wipe only the copper contacts and the area around the nozzles with a lint-free swab lightly dampened with distilled water, never touching the nozzles. Avoid tap water, alcohol and household cleaners, and let it dry before refitting.
Windows 11 / 10
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Open printing preferences
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer and click Printing preferences (Windows 10: Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, Manage, then Printing preferences). Look for a tab called Maintenance, Services, Utility or Tools.
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Check, clean, check again
Run the nozzle check, then the cleaning option, then another nozzle check, following the same three-cycle limit as on the printer. Keep paper loaded, because the checks print a page.
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Use the maker's app if there is no maintenance tab
The basic driver Windows installs often has no maintenance tools. The manufacturer's own app or full driver package, from its official website or the Microsoft Store, usually adds them. Otherwise, use the printer's control panel.
macOS
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Open the printer utility
Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer and click Options & Supplies. If there's a Utility tab, click Open Printer Utility.
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Run the nozzle check and cleaning
In the utility, print a nozzle check, run a cleaning if lines are missing, and check again. Stop after three cleaning cycles in a row.
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Use the printer menu if there is no utility
Printers added with AirPrint usually have no Utility tab. Run the nozzle check and cleaning from the printer's own screen, or from the manufacturer's Mac app if it offers maintenance tools.
Tips
- Print something in color at least once a week. Regular use is the best protection against clogs.
- Turn the printer off with its own power button rather than at the wall or power strip, so the head parks and is capped. Many inkjets also run an extra cleaning cycle after a sudden power loss.
- Don't leave a cartridge slot empty for long. Uncovered nozzles dry out quickly.
Common questions
How much ink does a cleaning cycle use?
It varies by model, but each cycle uses a noticeable amount, and deep cleaning uses considerably more. That is why it's worth printing a nozzle check first and stopping after three cycles.
Do laser printers need print head cleaning?
No. Laser printers use toner and a drum rather than ink nozzles. Streaks on laser prints usually come from the toner cartridge or drum.
What if cleaning never fixes it?
If the head is part of the cartridge, replacing the cartridge gives you a new head. If the head is a separate part, it may need replacing; check the manufacturer's support site and your warranty first.