Cannot access print heads on HP Smart Tank Plus 651

[Wreck51]

I need help accessing the print heads on my HP Smart Tank Plus 651.  The matching has been setting idle for a couple of years and is not printing too well - no black at all.  No error messages appear.  If have tried the “clean print heads” function at least a dozen times with no luck.  When I try to access them, the carriage is always positioned on the left corner and cannot be reached.  Please help!

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Wreck51,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand you are trying to access the print heads on your HP Smart Tank Plus 651, follow these steps:

• Turn on the Printer: Ensure your printer is powered on and connected to your computer if you're accessing it via HP Smart or another software.
• Open the Carriage Access Door: Usually, this is located on the top of the printer. Lift it open to access the print carriage.
• Wait for the Carriage to Move: When you open the carriage access door, the print carriage should move to the center of the printer where you can access the cartridges and the print heads.
• Manually Move the Carriage (if necessary): If the carriage does not move to the center automatically, you might need to gently push it to the center. Be careful not to force it.
• Inspect and Clean the Print Heads: Once you have access to the print heads, you can inspect them for any clogs or dried ink. Use a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water to gently clean the print heads. Do not touch the nozzles directly with your fingers.
• Run Print Head Cleaning: After cleaning, close the carriage access door and initiate a print head cleaning cycle from the printer's control panel or through the HP Smart app on your computer. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the cleaning process.
• Test Print: Print a test page to check if the print quality has improved, especially for the black ink.
  
  If the print heads are still inaccessible or the cleaning process does not resolve the issue, there may be a mechanical issue with the printer that requires further inspection or repair.

Refer to this document: HP Smart Tank Plus 651 Wireless All-in-One  User manual 

HP Smart Tank 500, 600 Printers - Color or Black Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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