Make Your Printer Work Like New With Replacement Print Heads
It's not uncommon to experience print head problems during the life of a printer. Replacing the print heads can fix issues related to printing quality. Many affordable options are available in this eBay category.
How do you know if a print head is damaged?Ink print heads are one of the most commonly replaced components. A new laser printer can also suffer from print head damage. Problems with image clarity and quality on paper are the first indications that the print heads need attention. Many printers also have alerts on the LCD screen that warn about print head issues. Be aware that image quality may also be affected by print head ink clogs. Your laser printer might also be out of toner. To determine whether a full replacement is needed, run a cleaning cycle and try printing again. Also try replacing the ink or toner to see if that resolves it. If your images continue to show ink streaks or gaps on the paper, you may need a replacement.
How often do print heads need to be changed?Most print heads will last for one to two years. However, if you find that they need repeated cleanings, they likely need to be replaced. Alternatively, it could signal that the ink is clogging the heads during printing. Both of these will produce similar image problems on paper. You'll have to do some troubleshooting to determine if it is an ink (or toner) issue, or a true print head problem. You can also check with the manufacturer's recommendations to determine when a replacement part should be installed. Doing so ahead of time will prevent the machine from getting damaged in the future.
How do print heads get worn out?Like any mechanical part, print heads wear down due to the stress of use and cleaning. As a laser printer is printing, heat causes it to expand to eject ink onto the paper. Next, the device cools down and contracts. This constant process puts a strain on the elements, and causes them to break down over time. In most cases, print head wear and tear is inevitable.
What are the different types of print heads?Print heads differ between inkjet and laser printer models. The type used in a particular printer depends on the manufacturer's specifications. Many affordable parts can be purchased on eBay. In general, the major types of print heads include:
- Drop on demand
- Thermal print heads
- Piezo-electric print heads
- Continuous inkjet
- Thermal greyscale