Head Cleaning Print Heads

[Kyle1886]

I've researched the Net for unclogging print heads on my printer and there are a bazillion opinions as to which method or product is best; most give negative results. Some almost work, others kill the unit. Buying a new unit is not an option at this time.

The unit in question is an Epson 840 all in one. Running the self "head cleaning" mode just sucks up ink and doesn't clear shxx.

Yes my PC is old and some of the newer printers no longer provide drivers, especially the fax, which I use.

Question is: Anyone have experience with a head cleaning product that they have had satisfactory results from?

Thank you

Kyle

[arrix]

Probably just a q-tip and some 99% rubbing alcohol.

[XDJYo]

I've researched the Net for unclogging print heads on my printer and there are a bazillion opinions as to which method or product is best; most give negative results. Some almost work, others kill the unit. Buying a new unit is not an option at this time.

The unit in question is an Epson 840 all in one. Running the self "head cleaning" mode just sucks up ink and doesn't clear shxx.

Yes my PC is old and some of the newer printers no longer provide drivers, especially the fax, which I use.

Question is: Anyone have experience with a head cleaning product that they have had satisfactory results from?

Thank you

Kyle

I also used the head cleaning mode on my ink-jet printer. I've used HP, Canon and a few others I can't remember. I can confirm that they all suck. They suck up the ink, they suck up your time, suck up your computer, suck up paper and suck up your money. I've come to the conclusion that the best fix was to trash the printer and be done with that crap.

The best money I've invested in was in a Laser printer. They're not that much more expensive, I don't have to keep re-buying printers. The laser cartridge lasts tons longer, is more tolerant of idle use, and prints cleanly and clearly until the cartridge is out of toner. No more dried out inkjet printers or cartridges and botched print jobs.

I have only had to fax something once in the past several years. It was worth my while to get to a FedEx/Kinkos and pay to fax it. There are phone apps that will fax documents too. I didn't use it as I am not 100% sure of the security of those services.

[Kyle1886]

I also used the head cleaning mode on my ink-jet printer. I've used HP, Canon and a few others I can't remember. I can confirm that they all suck. They suck up the ink, they suck up your time, suck up your computer, suck up paper and suck up your money. I've come to the conclusion that the best fix was to trash the printer and be done with that crap.

The best money I've invested in was in a Laser printer. They're not that much more expensive, I don't have to keep re-buying printers. The laser cartridge lasts tons longer, is more tolerant of idle use, and prints cleanly and clearly until the cartridge is out of toner. No more dried out inkjet printers or cartridges and botched print jobs.

I have only had to fax something once in the past several years. It was worth my while to get to a FedEx/Kinkos and pay to fax it. There are phone apps that will fax documents too. I didn't use it as I am not 100% sure of the security of those services.

Yeah, but as mentioned, it's an old operating system Win 7 pro. Possible with some printers I suppose but trying to avoid the hookup and driver issues. Again cost is an issue.

But yes I agree with you, next printer if I'm around long enough will be a laser. 👍

Thank you and others for your comments.

Kyle

[ibanezfoo]

I've researched the Net for unclogging print heads on my printer and there are a bazillion opinions as to which method or product is best; most give negative results. Some almost work, others kill the unit. Buying a new unit is not an option at this time.

The unit in question is an Epson 840 all in one. Running the self "head cleaning" mode just sucks up ink and doesn't clear shxx.

Yes my PC is old and some of the newer printers no longer provide drivers, especially the fax, which I use.

Question is: Anyone have experience with a head cleaning product that they have had satisfactory results from?

Thank you

Kyle

Short answer: No. Epson printers are mostly considered disposable which is why you can't remove the heads or replace any parts. You are meant to use them a few times a week to keep the ink flowing through the piezo heads (mechanical).

Now if you want to spend a lot of time and make a huge mess you can direct connect alcohol injectors or modify some ink cartridges to dispense alcohol instead of ink. I've done it. Its not worth it.

[Kyle1886]

Short answer: No. Epson printers are mostly considered disposable which is why you can't remove the heads or replace any parts. You are meant to use them a few times a week to keep the ink flowing through the piezo heads (mechanical).

Now if you want to spend a lot of time and make a huge mess you can direct connect alcohol injectors or modify some ink cartridges to dispense alcohol instead of ink. I've done it. Its not worth it.

Thank you. Pretty much what I figured. Thanks again.

Kyle

[benjos]

Yes, I have experience with a head cleaning product that I have had satisfactory results from.
I've been using an XP-830 for 10+ years. I had problems with Magenta only working about 40-50%. I already tried the software's head cleaning but it didn't work. I tried using towel soak method 3 times w/ distilled water but it didn't help much. I bought "120ml Printhead Cleaning Kit for EPSON" from InkOwl.

I used the cleaner twice for two 90 minute paper towel soaks. I turned on the printer and then ran the head check but it is about the same as before the cleaning. Then I ran a magenta heavy print load (just ask AI to create an image for you).

After printing 3 pages of that magenta heavy image, I did nozzle check and the lines are worse than before. It went from 80% of magenta lines to 40%.
AI said the magenta channel is not being replenished fast enough.

I let the printer rest for a day or more. Then I just followed the printed instructions from the inkowl cleaner kit by connecting the included hose to the ink intake port and letting paper towel under it absorb the dirty cleaner/ink.

Afterwards, my magenta would be about 95-97% working. It's not perfect but much better than before.

Also the epson printer has a counter and you will eventually get alert about waste ink pad reaching end of life (and eventually it will stop you from printing forever unless you run the counter reset). You can replace that pad by buying a replacement; I bought it but didn't replace it yet; when you do the towel soak, you can soak up a lot of the waste ink on that waste pad with microfiber clothes or paper towels to extend the life of it. Also when I did reach the counter limit, then I used this free opensource software on https://codeberg.org/atufi/reinkpy to reset the counter so that I could still print.