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How do I fix the printhead problem on my HP OfficeJet Pro 6978?

By: Author Color With Leo

Having issues with the printhead on your HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 printer can be frustrating. The printhead is responsible for spraying the ink onto the paper, so if it gets clogged or damaged, you’ll start to see print quality problems like streaks, missing colors, or blank pages. Don’t worry – in most cases, printhead issues can be fixed at home with a few simple steps. This guide will walk you through several methods for cleaning and fixing your HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 printhead so you can get back to printing again.

Troubleshoot the Printhead

Before diving into printhead cleaning and replacement, it’s a good idea to troubleshoot the issue a bit more to make sure it actually is a printhead problem. Here are some quick checks:

  • Check your ink levels – One of the most common reasons for print quality issues is simply running out of ink in one or more cartridges. Open the printer and visually inspect the ink cartridges or access the ink level menu on the printer display.
  • Check for paper jams – Debris from jammed paper can clog the printhead nozzles. Carefully remove any jammed paper from inside the printer.
  • Check the paper type setting – Using the wrong paper type setting can lead to ink coverage problems. Make sure it’s set correctly for the paper you have loaded.
  • Print a test page – Print a test page to see if the issue shows up and pinpoint where missing ink is occurring.

If you suspect the printhead is the culprit, the next steps are cleaning and replacing it.

Clean the Printhead

The first step is to thoroughly clean the printhead nozzles. This can clear out any dried ink, dust, or debris that is clogging the tiny nozzles and disrupting ink flow.

Clean from Printer Menu

Many printers have options to clean the printhead right from the control panel menu. On the HP OfficeJet 6978, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home screen on the printer display, tap the Settings icon.
  2. Select Printer Maintenance.
  3. Select Clean Printhead.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to start the cleaning cycle. The printer will print a test page when complete.

Examine the test print – the colors should be solid with no streaks. If needed, run the Clean Printhead option 2-3 times until the test page prints correctly.

Clean with Computer Utility

You can also clean the printhead using the free HP Print and Scan Doctor utility on your computer:

  1. Download Print and Scan Doctor from HP’s website and run the tool.
  2. Click on the Print Quality tab.
  3. Click Clean Printheads.
  4. Follow the prompts to walk through the automated cleaning process.

This runs a more thorough cleaning than can be done from the printer menu. Repeat 2-3 times if needed.

Deep Clean the Printhead

If basic cleaning isn’t working, you may need to do a deep clean cycle. This involves soaking the printhead in water to loosen dried ink. Cleaning kits can be purchased, but you likely have the household items needed:

  • Distilled water (ideally room temperature)
  • Small cup or bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Latex gloves
  1. Remove the printhead – Open the printer and locate the printhead. Release the tab and gently remove it. Caution: Do not touch the copper contacts!
  2. Flush the nozzles – Hold the nozzles facing down into the cup of distilled water. Lightly shake for 1-2 minutes to loosen ink.
  3. Dab and wipe – Use a paper towel dampened with distilled water to gently dab and wipe the nozzles. Wipe in one direction only.
  4. Rinse – Rinse the printhead under room temperature water for 30 seconds.
  5. Dry – Blot dry with paper towel. Let air dry 10 minutes before reinserting.
  6. Reinsert – Carefully slide the printhead back into the carriage slot until it clicks into place.
  7. Test – Print a test page to check if the cleaning worked. You may need to repeat the process.

Be patient during the soaking and drying steps for best results. This thorough cleaning can clear up even the most clogged printheads in many cases.

Replace the Printhead

If repeated cleanings fail to improve print quality, it’s likely time to replace the printhead altogether. The HP OfficeJet 6978 uses model number 954.

Replacement HP 954 printheads can be purchased from HP’s website, Amazon, BestBuy, Staples, and other major retailers for $40-50. Here are the replacement steps:

  1. Remove the old printhead – Open the printer, press down on the tab, and gently pull out the printhead.
  2. Prep the new one – Remove the plastic tape covering the copper contacts. Do not touch the contacts.
  3. Insert the new printhead – Gently slide the printhead into the empty carriage slot until it clicks securely.
  4. Align the printhead – Print an alignment page and follow prompts to align the new printhead.
  5. Test! – Print a test page to confirm everything is back in working order.

And that’s it! With the new printhead installed, your HP OfficeJet 6978 should be back to printing crisp, clear pages in no time.

Prevent Future Printhead Problems

Here are some tips to keep your new printhead working well:

  • Clean the printhead regularly – Run cleaning cycles even when not having issues to prevent buildup.
  • Leave the printer plugged in when not in use – This allows the printer to do automatic maintenance.
  • Print a test page weekly – Catch issues early before they become major problems.
  • Use original HP ink cartridges – HP inks help maintain optimum printhead health.
  • Avoid third party or refilled ink cartridges – They can clog up the printhead faster.
  • Check the printer environment – Place in a clean, temperature controlled area.

With proper care and maintenance, your HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 printer and printhead can deliver years of reliable service. But if you do encounter printhead troubles, just follow the cleaning and replacement tips in this guide to get quality printing back fast.

Issue Solution
Streaks in printouts Clean the printhead
Missing colors Clean the printhead
Faint print Clean the printhead
Blank pages Clean or replace the printhead
Smudged ink Clean the printhead
Poor alignment Align the printhead

Conclusion

Troubleshooting printhead issues on the HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 can be simple when you know what steps to take. First, thoroughly clean the printhead using utilities from both the printer menu and your computer. If that doesn’t restore print quality, move to a deep cleaning method. If cleaning fails, replace the printhead. Be sure to do regular maintenance to avoid future issues. With the tips in this guide, you can get your HP printer back up and running in no time.