Print head maintenance on HP L 7580 Office Jet

[martinstl]

This machine is like a part of my family, I know I have had it for more than 20 years, it is a real work horse.  I am now mostly retired, but I rely on my all in one to copy and print in color.  It can be a while between uses and I'm pretty sure the ink dries on the printhead and inkjets.  So periodically I attempt to improve the quality of the print.  I have purchased "after market" ink, and remanufactured printheads and used them sucessfully many times.  But I have hit a bridge abutment now.  I purchased HP original replacement printhead and ink, but still the magenta and  cyan colors are very weak and unacceptable.  I today ran some windex/IPA solution through the ink ports on the print head.  In looking at the video online, I noticed that I'm not supposed to do that while the printheads are on the right side, I did do it while they were on the right side, and I noticed the waste ink sponges were full of spent ink from years of use.  Should they be cleaned?  How might I have damaged the printheads by  removing them while on the right side?  Is there a practical way to remove, clean and replace the waste ink tank?  I would like to keep this equipment because it is so reliable.  I still use my laserjet for tax returns and volume printing, but it doesn't directly copy, so this device is a good partner.

[Jay_G24 · Accepted solution]

Hi @martinstl,

I'd like to help!

I understand you are looking for instructions to clean the printhead to resolve the print quality issue.

Removing the printhead from the wrong does cause an issue with the printer movement, that is the reason we recommend removing it when it's in the middle.

If no error shows up, you're good.

Try the below the steps to resolve the issue-

Reset the printer

Reset the printer to recover from printer errors or failures.

1. If your printer has a rechargeable battery, remove it.

2. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

3. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

4. Wait 60 seconds.

5. Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and to the printer.

   NOTE: 

   HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

6. Turn on the printer to complete the reset.

Clean the printhead electrical contacts

Cleaning the contacts on the printhead and inside the printer can resolve printhead errors and issues.

CAUTION: These steps involve removing the printhead from the printer. Be prepared to complete the cleaning steps within several minutes to avoid damaging the ink nozzles.

1. Open the lid to the printhead access area.

   

2. Read the error message. Only clean the contacts on the printheads mentioned in the error.

   NOTE: 

   The black/yellow printhead is in the left printhead slot. The magenta/cyan printhead is in the right printhead slot.

3. Move the printhead carriage to the left. Button and menu presses on the printer vary by model.

   • Officejet Pro 8500A: Touch Change Printheads.

   • Officejet Pro 8000, 8500, L7300, L7400, L7500, L7600, L7700, K8600, and Photosmart Pro B9180: Press and hold OK for five seconds.

   • Officejet Pro K5400: Press and hold the Resume button for three seconds.

   • Photosmart Pro B8850: Press and hold the Toolbox button for three to-five seconds.

4. Wait for the printhead carriage to move into the access area.

5. Disconnect the power cord from the printer.

6. Lift the printhead latch.

   

7. Obtain a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.

8. Lift the handle to pull the printhead out of the slot.

   

9. Use the cloth to remove any ink or debris from the electrical contacts on the printhead.

   CAUTION: 

   To avoid damage to the printhead, do not wipe or touch the ink nozzles or let them touch other surfaces.

   

   Callout

   Description

   1.

   Printhead contacts (clean these only)

   2.

   Ink nozzles (do not touch or clean)

10. Place the printhead on its side on a sheet of paper or a paper towel.

11. Using a clean area of the cloth, remove any ink or debris from the electrical contacts in the carriage.

    

12. Reinsert the printhead into its color-coded slot and lower the handle.

13. Repeat these steps for the other printhead if it is mentioned in the error message.

14. Close the printhead latch.

15. Reconnect the power cord to the printer.

16. Close the lid to the printhead access area.

17. Press Done, OK, or Resume if prompted.

If the issue persists, I'd suggest you contact HP in your region regarding the service options for your printer

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

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