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Printer Maintenance

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I am creating a pirnter maintinance schedule for 21 HP LaserJet printers. I am looking for information of proper procedures on manually cleaning, and preventative maintenance.
HP keeps telling me to refer to my manuals for cleaning information, however all it describes there is how to clean the 'feed guides' and not the entire printer.
HP cleaning kits are available, but with this many computers, being used this often the expense would be to great.
Any information available?

8 replies

by daa-automotive

We don't have as many as you do, however, I have had to clean them before. About the only thing that you can do to keep the things clean internally is to take an airhose to them once in awhile to blow out all of the dust. Then take isopropyl alcoholand q-tips and clean any glass surfaces inside the unit. After that make sure that all connections are good. Take out any removeable conponents that you can and do a visual inspection of them to make sure that they have no defects on them and make sure not to touch sensitive components with your hands. You should look up your laserjet model on HP's website and make sure you know that printer inside and out. After awhile you will know what you should and should not be touching.

Have fun
Joe

by tbradley

A lot depends on the model of the printer.

Most newer HP laserjets require LITTLE or NO maintenance, other than once every 3 months or so, or at every toner change, whichever is the most frequent, using a fairly powerful vacumn with a fine nozzel and soft brush.

Open the printer, remove the toner cartridge, and vacumn out any paper dust and residue which may have accumulated. Vacumn the fan(s) and ventilation openings.

Examine the Toner cartridge(s) and drum unit if any for signs ofdamage.

Don't force the toner cartridge down to it's last gasp after getting low toner warnings.

Color laserjets require a more through cleaning around the toner cartridges, and those you'll have to remove 1 by 1 and clean throughly, including the cartridge itself.

You no longer have to worry about corona wires and fuser guides.

If you do have an older laserjet with coronas and fuser guides, clean all the above as described, replace the fuser guide at least bi-annually, and gently wipe the corona wire with a soft brush at least every 3 months or toner cartridge change.

Don't shake the toner cartridges vigorously, but a gentle side by side motion will settle the toner and extend the life of the cartridge. Avoid touching the interior components of the drum unit and toner cartridge. Avoid exposing the drum unit to prolonged light.

After cleaning, do a couple of self tests to pick up any residual toner which might have beens stirred up while cleaning.

by pvp

I'd say getting ONE cleaning kit might be worth the documentation it provides?

MAJOR CAVEAT: If you use a vacuum-cleaner around toner, make sure it is designed for that purpose! Fine toner powder can get through the bags, filters, etc., into the motor, where an electrical arc can CAUSE AN EXPLOSION AND KILL YOU!

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