When should I clean the suction cap?

• You need to clean the suction cap whenever you see a message on the LCD screen or at the end of every week that you use the printer. You may also need to clean the suction cap if you experience difficulty cleaning nozzles after performing a nozzle check. Even if the message is not displayed, follow the steps here to clean the suction cap.

  Note: If you continue to use the printer without cleaning the suction cap, the ink nozzles may clog and print quality may decline.

  1. Turn on the printer.
  2. Press the  maintenance button. The Maintenance menu appears.
  3. Press the up or down arrow button to select Head Cap Cleaning, and press the right arrow button to select it.
  4. Press the up or down arrow button to select Yes, and press the OK button. The platen and print head move to the maintenance position.

     Caution:
     Do not move the print head or the platen manually. A malfunction may occur.

     Note: A buzzer sounds after 10 minutes once the platen and print head move to the maintenance position. Press the OK button to continue cleaning. The buzzer sounds again after 10 minutes. Nozzles can be clogged if more time passes, so finish cleaning as soon as possible.

  5. Open the printer cover.
     
  6. If a film of waste ink has built up on the suction cap, remove it with the supplied plastic tweezers.
     
     

     Caution:
     Use only the supplied plastic tweezers. Be careful not to damage the suction cap. If the suction cap is damaged, air may leak and the print head may become dry or difficult to clean.

  7. Wipe the inside of the suction cap using a thin cleaning swab dampened with ink cleaning solution. Rotate the swab as you wipe.
     
     

     Caution:
     Make sure ink cleaner does not drip onto the anti-drying caps to the right of the suction cap. If any cleaner does drip, wipe it with a dry cleaning swab. If cleaner is left on the anti-drying caps, the print head nozzles could become clogged.

  8. Wipe the outside of the suction cap with a large cleaning swab dampened with ink cleaning solution.
     
  9. Wipe the top edge of the suction cap with a large cleaning swab dampened with ink cleaning solution.
     
  10. If necessary, remove any excess ink from the edges of the cap.
      
  11. Close the printer cover.
  12. Press the OK button. The print head returns to its normal position and the Settings menu closes.
  13. Perform a nozzle check.
  Related tasks
  Performing a Nozzle Check
  Related references
  Optional Equipment and Replacement Parts
  Related information
  Disposing of Used Consumables and Optional Parts