How to Clean a Laserjet 1200
The Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 1200 printer requires minimal cleaning, although with very heavy use, bits of toner, dust, and tiny bits of paper may build up inside the printer and affect print quality. Very heavy use constitutes printing of around 10,000 single-sided pages per month. Some HP LaserJet printers have a self-cleaning mode accessed through the software. Laser printers from other manufacturers have the same general cleaning needs, but you should consult individual manuals for specific directions. In general, laser printers require more maintenance than inkjet printers, which usually have a built-in cartridge cleaning mechanism.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Several lint-free cloths
- Isopropyl alcohol or clean water
- Transparency sheet or copier grade paper.
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1
Unplug the power cord to turn the printer off and wait for the printer to cool completely.
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2
Open the toner door and remove the toner cartridge. Cover the toner to protect it from light.
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3
Wipe up any residue you see from the media path and the cavity where the toner cartridge rested. Use a lint-free, dry cloth to do this. Reinsert the toner cartridge and close the toner door.
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4
Load a transparency into the manual feed paper tray (above the bulk paper tray). Hold down the "Go" button on the front left of the printer for 10 seconds and then release it. Wait until the cleaning process finishes.
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5
Clean the pickup roller by first unplugging the power cord and letting the printer cool. Open the toner door and remove the toner.
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6
Remove the pickup roller by releasing the small white tabs on either side and rotating the roller towards the front.
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7
Dip a clean lint-free cloth in isopropyl alcohol. Scrub the roller to remove any dirt, and then dry it completely with a second clean lint-free cloth.
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8
Rotate the roller away from you as you replace it in the printer until it snaps into place. Replace the toner cartridge, close the door and plug in the printer again.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Clean the pickup roller only if you are having problems with paper feeds. Otherwise it is not necessary. If you do not have a transparency, use good quality printer paper between 18- and 24-pound weight. If you live in an area where using isopropyl alcohol as a cleaner is banned, you can substitute water in Step 7.
Do not let anything contact the black sponge transfer roller that is inside the printer. This might damage the printer.
