Printer head alignment and cleaning

[walkos1]

Used to be able to print a page that when scanned would clean the printer head and align it. Can’t find how to do that any more.

[Raj_05]

Hi @walkos1,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

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

The HP DeskJet 3636 All-In-One Printer, like many other printers, has a feature called "print head cleaning" and "alignment." These features are typically used to improve print quality and ensure that the printer's components are working correctly. 

Here's how you can perform print head cleaning and alignment on your HP DeskJet 3636.

Check the User Manual: The specific steps for cleaning and aligning the print head may vary slightly depending on the printer's firmware and software version. It's a good idea to consult the user manual that came with your printer for detailed instructions.

Using the Printer's Control Panel:

• Turn on your printer and make sure it has paper in the input tray.
• On the printer's control panel, press the "Setup" or "Menu" button. This button's name may vary on different models.
• Use the arrow buttons to navigate to the "Maintenance" or "Tools" option and select it.
• Look for options like "Clean Printhead" or "Align Printhead." Select the appropriate option, and follow the on-screen prompts to perform the task.

Using HP Printer Software (Windows):

• On your computer, open the HP Printer Assistant or HP Solution Center software.
• Click on the "Maintain Your Printer" or "Printer Toolbox" option.
• Look for options like "Clean Printhead" or "Align Printhead." Click on the appropriate option, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Using HP Printer Software (Mac):

• On your Mac, open the HP Utility application.
• Select your printer from the list of available devices.
• Click on the "Maintenance" or "Tools" tab.
• Look for options like "Clean Printhead" or "Align Printhead." Click on the appropriate option, and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you can't find these options in your printer's control panel or HP printer software, it's possible that the feature has been moved or renamed in a firmware or software update. In such cases, it's a good idea to visit the HP Support website and search for your printer model to find the most up-to-date instructions and troubleshooting guides.

Remember that performing print head cleaning and alignment is usually recommended when you're experiencing print quality issues, such as streaks, smudges, or color inconsistencies.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support