Clean an Inkjet Printer's Print Head to Reduce Streaking

In this tutorial you will learn how to stop printer streaks or streaking in your inkjet printer by cleaning the printhead.

Steps

Remove the cartridge with printhead or the printhead assembly from printer.
Take a lint-free cloth or paper towel and lightly dampen with warm, distilled water.
Fold the towel in half twice and hold in the fingers of one hand.
With your other hand, gently "Blot" the cartridge by pressing the printhead into the towel a few times. (The printhead is the bottom of the cartridge where the ink is jetted onto your paper). This will help to remove dried ink on the surface of the printhead. A good "Blot" should show a uniform, solid ink pattern (from each chamber) on towel.

Note: The ink may appear lighter from the water. If so, a few blots and a test page should clear it out.
If this doesn't solve the streaky print problem, then set the cartridge in a shallow saucer of hot, distilled water to help loosen up clogged ink jets. Let set for 5-10 minutes, and then try the "Blot" test again. Hopefully you have a good "Blot". If so, dry off cartridge and reinstall in printer.