printhead taking a long time to clean

[LG-8500a]

My HP8500A takes a long time to clean the printheads.   I do not use my printer very often, and it takes 10 minutes to 30 minutes to clean the print heads when I turn it on.   It also prints about 400 pages before I have to replace the print cartridges even with the large print cartridges.

[TheOldMan]

Just a heads up - when the printer cleans the heads it is forcing ink through the inkjets, therefore using oddles of ink.  If it is cleaning for 10-30 minutes, that is the reason for low ink yield.  Also a heads up - if you are using non-HP ink and complain to HP, they will assign blame to the refilled ink catridges.

[LG-8500a]

Thanks for the info on what happens when cleaning print heads.   If this is normal to take 10 to 30 minutes to clean the print heads, I will be throwing this unit away and buying some other brand.   The cost of ink makes it just too expensive for me to use.

[TheOldMan]

I cannot say whether it is normal but I would think it is not.  One thing I do with all my printers ( I have one very similar to the 8500) I leave them on all the time.  Very seldom do any of them delay to print when left on.  Try that to see if that makes a difference.

[LG-8500a]

Thanks.   However, I only turn my printer on to use about 2 times a week, so I do not leave it on.