HP Envy 6430 printer on standby suddenly starts head cleaning and never stops

[DocJohnUK]

HP Envy 6430e, no error messages, suddenly starts head cleaning and never stops

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

Hi @DocJohnUK, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

If your HP ENVY 6430e All-in-One Printer continuously runs the printhead cleaning cycle without stopping, try the following troubleshooting steps:

Restart the Printer

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug the power cable from both the printer and the wall outlet.
• Wait 2–3 minutes.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

Cancel Print Jobs

• On your computer, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click the HP ENVY 6430e printer and select See what's printing.
• Cancel any pending print jobs.

Manually Clean the Printhead

If the printhead is clogged, it may trigger an endless cleaning cycle. Try manual cleaning:

• Open the printer and remove the ink cartridges.
• Clean the printhead contacts with a lint-free cloth and distilled water.
• Let it dry completely before reinserting the cartridges.

Update Printer Firmware

• Open HP Smart or visit HP Support.
• Download and install any available firmware updates.

Reset the Printer

• Press and hold the Wi-Fi + Cancel buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds to reset.
• Alternatively, navigate to Settings > Restore Defaults on the printer's control panel.

Try a Different Power Source

• Plug the printer directly into a wall socket, avoiding power strips or surge protectors.

Reinstall the Printer Drivers

• Uninstall the printer from your computer.
• Download and reinstall the latest drivers from HP website.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support