Printhead clogged/not removable

[Shanann]

HP OfficeJet Pro 6968– Printhead is jammed and Printhead clean out didn’t work. Printhead not removable and I need to know how to clean it, Please

[Raj_05]

Hi @Shanann,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 printhead is jammed and cannot be removed, you'll need to try cleaning it without removing it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to clean the printhead.

Materials you’ll need:

• Clean, lint-free cloths or paper towels
• Distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (preferably 90% or higher)
• A shallow dish or container
• Gloves (optional)

Steps to Clean the Jammed Printhead:

Turn off the Printer and Unplug It:

• Make sure the printer is off and unplugged to avoid any electrical issues while cleaning.

Open the Printer’s Access Panel:

• Open the front panel to access the printhead and ink cartridges. Depending on your model, the printhead may be located directly beneath the ink cartridges.

Clean the Printhead Area:

• Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Gently wipe the printhead and surrounding areas. Be careful not to press too hard, as this could damage the components.

Soak the Cloth for Deep Cleaning:

• If the printhead is particularly clogged, soak a small piece of cloth with distilled water or alcohol and place it over the printhead area. Let it sit for about 10–15 minutes to loosen any dried ink or debris.

Clean the Cartridges:

• While the printhead is soaking, gently clean the ink cartridges using a clean cloth, removing any excess ink or debris.

Remove the Cloth and Wipe Dry:

• After the soak, remove the cloth from the printhead and gently wipe the printhead area with a dry, lint-free cloth.

[Raj_05]

Run a Printhead Cleaning Cycle:

• Once the printhead is clean, plug the printer back in, turn it on, and perform a printhead cleaning cycle from the printer’s control panel. This helps to clear any remaining ink blockages.

Test the Printer:

• Print a test page to check if the cleaning process was successful. If necessary, run a second cleaning cycle.

Note:

• If the printhead remains jammed or doesn’t clean properly, consider using a soft toothbrush or similar tool to gently scrub the printhead if it’s accessible.
• Avoid using tap water, as minerals in it could damage the printhead.
• If the issue persists, the printhead might need to be replaced, even though it’s not removable in your case.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support