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Automatically clean the print cartridge
If you notice white lines or single-color streaks on your prints, you may need to clean the
print cartridge. Do not clean the cartridge more often than necessary, since cleaning uses
up ink.
To clean the print cartridge
1. Make sure a camera is in the camera dock.
2. Press Menu/OK to open the printer menus.
3. Press
to select Tools.
4. Select Clean cartridge, and then press Menu/OK.
5. Following the directions on the camera image display, load paper so the printer can
print a test page after cleaning the cartridge. Use HP Advanced Photo paper for best
results.
6. Press Menu/OK to begin cleaning the print cartridge.
7. When the printer finishes cleaning the cartridge and prints a test page, check the
test page and select from the following options:
– If the test page has white streaks or missing colors, the print cartridge needs to
be cleaned again. Select OK on the camera image display, and then press
Menu/OK on the printer control panel.
– If the print quality of the test page looks good, select Cancel on the camera
image display, and then press Menu/OK.
You can clean the cartridge up to three times. Each successive cleaning is more
thorough and uses more ink.
If you complete all three levels of cleaning using this procedure and you still notice white
streaks or missing colors on the test page, you may need to clean the print cartridge
copper-colored contacts. For more information, see To clean the print cartridge
contacts.
Note If the cartridge or printer has been recently dropped, you may also see
white streaks or missing colors in your prints. This problem is temporary and
clears up within 24 hours.
Manually clean the print cartridge contacts
If you use the printer in a dusty environment, debris may accumulate on the copper-
colored contacts and cause printing problems.
To clean the print cartridge contacts
1. Gather the following items to clean the contacts:
– Distilled water (tap water may contain contaminants that can damage the print
cartridge)
– Cotton swabs or other soft, lint-free material that will not stick to the print
cartridge
2. Open the print cartridge door.
3. Remove the print cartridge and place it on a piece of paper with the ink nozzle plate
facing up. Be careful not to touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzle plate
with your fingers.
HP Photosmart A430 series User Guide 29