hp deskjet 3500 series user's guide

manually cleaning print cartridges

If the printer is used in a dusty environment, a small amount of debris may accumulate inside the case. This debris can include dust, hair, carpet, or clothing fibers. When debris gets on the print cartridges and cradle, it can cause ink streaks and smudges on printed pages. Ink streaking is easily corrected by manually cleaning the cartridges and cradle.

gathering cleaning supplies

You will need the following items to clean the print cartridges and cradle.

  • Distilled water

  • Cotton swabs or other soft, lint-free material that will not stick to the cartridges

Be careful not to get ink on your hands or clothing as you clean.

preparing to clean

  1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, then raise the printer cover.

    The cradle moves to the center of the printer.

  2. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer.

  3. Remove the print cartridges and place them on a piece of paper with the nozzle plate facing up.

    Caution!   Do not leave the print cartridges outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.

cleaning the print cartridges and print cartridge cradle

  1. Lightly moisten a cotton swab with distilled water.

  2. Clean the face and edges of the first print cartridge with the swab, as shown in the following illustration.

    Do not wipe the nozzle plate.

    1. nozzle plate and ink nozzles
    2. faces and edges of print cartridge
    3. copper contacts

    Caution!   Do not touch the print cartridge ink nozzles or copper contacts. Touching these parts will result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

  3. Inspect the face and edges of the print cartridge for fibers.

    Repeat steps 1 and 2 above if fibers are still present.

  4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the second print cartridge.

  5. Wipe the underside of the print cartridge cradle walls using clean, moistened cotton swabs.

    Repeat this process until no ink residue appears on a clean swab.

    1. print cartridge cradle
    2. print cartridge cradle walls

  6. Insert the print cartridges and close the printer cover.

  7. Connect the power cord to the back of the printer.

  8. Press the Power button to turn on the printer.

  9. Calibrate the print cartridges.

Repeat the cleaning procedure if ink streaks continue to appear on printed pages.