Epson Stylus NX420 - Manual (Page 37)

Cleaning the Print Head 37
Cleaning the Print Head
If print quality has declined and the nozzle check pattern indicates clogged
nozzles, you can clean the print head. Print head cleaning uses ink, so clean it only
if necessary.
Note:
You cannot clean the print head if an ink cartridge is expended, and may not be able to
clean it when a cartridge is low. You must replace the cartridge first
(see page 39).
1. Load letter- or A4-size paper in the sheet feeder (see page 18).
2. Press the
F
Setup button.
3. Press l or r to select Head Cleaning , then press x Start .
Cleaning takes approximately one minute. When it’s finished, you see a
message on the display screen.
Caution:
Never turn off the printer during head cleaning or you may damage it.
4. Run a nozzle check (as described on page 36) to verify that the print head is
clean.
5. If there are still gaps or lines, or the test patterns are faint, run another
cleaning cycle and check the nozzles again.
Note:
If you don’t see any improvement after cleaning the print head four times, turn off the
printer and wait at least six hours to let any dried ink soften. Then try cleaning the print
head again. If quality does not improve, one of the ink cartridges may need to be
replaced. If that doesn’t help, contact Epson as described on page 48.
If you do not use your Epson printer often, it is a good idea to print a few pages at least
once a month to maintain good print quality.