Keeping the Smart Tank Printheads in good condition

[Diabroad]

It is suggested that they be used regularly so they do not dry out.
My question is since I do not do a lot of printing, and do not want to simply print fro the sake of it, wasting paper and ink. How much would constitute 'regularly' - so as to not let them dry out.

[zoey7886 · Accepted solution]

@Diabroad, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Smart Tank Printheads! 

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

To keep your HP Smart Tank printer's printheads in good condition, regular usage is essential to prevent them from drying out. While HP does not specify an exact amount of printing required to maintain the printheads, here are some general tips to help ensure their longevity without wasting paper or ink:

Print Small Test Pages: Consider printing a small test page once a week. You can use the printer’s built-in test patterns or print a single-page document with minimal ink usage.

Perform Printhead Maintenance: Utilize any available printer maintenance features, such as printhead alignment or cleaning functions, which can help maintain printhead health without using much ink.

Regular Power Cycles: If the printer supports it, power cycling the printer can sometimes help keep the ink flowing.

Environment: Ensure that your printer is located in an environment that is not too dry, as dry air can increase the chances of ink drying in the printheads.

Check for Updates: Regularly check for any firmware updates for your printer, as these can sometimes include improvements for printhead maintenance.

Following these tips can help prevent the printheads from drying out without using excessive amounts of paper and ink.  

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

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