Help with cleaning print heads, etc

[MrBuzzard]

My printer is producing ghost-like printing - presumably due to dirty print heads from dust etc, because I haven't used it for a while.

So, to find out how to get the heads cleaned, I've accessed similar questions and obviously the advice is to touch the 'rose' symbol in the printer screen and then to follow the instructions.

But when I do that, i.e., touch the rose, text appears saying Alerts or Info.

So if I then touch the ENVY Inspire 7200, all I get is the printer information - and nothing else.

So where's the head cleaning information?

So what am I doing wrong, please and how do I get the print heads cleaned?

[zoey7886]

@MrBuzzard, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your HP ENVY Inspire 7224e All-in-One Printer! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

It sounds like you're trying to clean the printheads on your HP ENVY Inspire 7224e but aren't able to access the cleaning option from the printer screen. Here’s what you can do to resolve this issue:

Clean Printheads via HP Printer Software 

1. Open HP Smart App or HP Printer Assistant on your computer.
   • If you don’t have it, download HP Smart from HP website.
2. Click on Printer Maintenance or Tools.
3. Select Clean Printhead and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Print a test page to check if the issue is resolved.
   • If necessary, repeat the cleaning process up to two more times.

Clean Printheads via Printer Panel

1. On the printer's touchscreen, tap the Setup (gear) or Maintenance option.
2. Look for Tools > Clean Printhead.
3. Follow the on-screen steps and print a test page.

Manually Clean the Printhead

If software cleaning doesn’t work:

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it.
2. Open the ink cartridge access door.
3. Remove the cartridges and locate the printhead nozzle area.
4. Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water to gently wipe the nozzles.
5. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes before reinserting cartridges and restarting the printer.

Let me know if you need further guidance! 😊  

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[MrBuzzard]

Hi Zoey,

Many thanks for your excellent reply - it's great!

However, I'm still having problems.

Firstly, yes, I do have HP Smart on my PC but there's no such thing as Printer Maintenance on the screen - I wish there was and then perhaps i wouldn't have to ask you if there was.

On my HP Smart screen the buttons are:

Get Supplies

Scan

Shortcuts - that only takes meto my email address.

Printables

Print Documents

Mobile Fax

Help & Support - lets me talk to a vortual assistant, etc

Print Photos

Printer Settings - just provides all the specs about the printer.

And a few adverts - and that's all.

On the printer panel, whatever touch icon I press, I get a screen showing

Alerts                         Info

If I press either, all I then get is the printer name and model number, etc -  and I can't get anything else, whatever I do.

And I don't have a mobile - I never go anywhere and much as a mobile is an amazing instrument, I just never use it.  So I save money and don't have a mobile therefore.

And finally, I have taken the ink cartridges out and cleaned them with a cotton bud - to no avail.

So that's where I am.  Stuck with a printer that won't print properly.

More help please!

[zoey7886]

@MrBuzzard, Thanks for your detailed response! I completely understand how frustrating it can be when you just want to get your printer working again, but the usual steps don’t seem to match what you’re seeing. Let’s troubleshoot this together.

Finding the Printhead Cleaning Option

Since the HP Smart app isn’t showing the Printer Maintenance option, let's try accessing it through a different route:

1. Open HP Smart on your PC.
2. Click on Printer Settings.
3. Look for an option called Advanced Settings or Printer Toolbox.
4. If you find it, check for Clean Printhead or Printer Maintenance.
5. Run the cleaning process and print a test page.

If this doesn’t work, let’s move on to the printer’s control panel.

Accessing Cleaning from the Printer’s Screen

1. Turn the printer off, then back on.
2. Tap the gear icon (Setup) or look for “Maintenance.”
3. If you don’t see it, try swiping left or right on the touchscreen to reveal more options.
4. Look for Tools > Clean Printhead.
5. Follow the prompts and print a test page.

Manual Cleaning (If the Above Steps Don’t Work)

Since you’ve already cleaned the cartridges but it didn’t help, let’s try cleaning the printhead nozzles:

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it.
2. Open the ink cartridge access door and remove the cartridges.
3. Locate the printhead nozzles (the part where ink comes out).
4. Dampen a lint-free cloth or cotton swab with warm distilled water (avoid tap water).
5. Gently wipe the printhead nozzles to remove any dried ink or dust.
6. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes before reinserting the cartridges.
7. Turn the printer back on and try printing again.

If the Issue Persists...

If you’re still stuck, let me know what happens when you try these steps, and I’ll be happy to guide you further!

I appreciate your patience, and I’m confident we’ll get your printer back in action soon. 😊

Looking forward to your update!

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards,