I have been having this problem for the past few months (T120). I realized that when you first guide the roll into the machine the system detects the paper and then asks what kind of paper you are loading. You select the type, but the machine slips and is unable to grab enough paper to feed it under the print head sensor. So immediately after you select the type of paper you need to be pushing paper into the feeder until it grabs enough paper to pull it under the print head sensor and align it. This fixed the problem without having to clean the head (but I did clean it anyway using the method below of just lifting the top lid and using a q tip - do not disassemble the unit).
Actually, I simply opened the ink cartridge cover. This made the print head go to the far left position. I was then able to clean the sensor (on the left) and the brush (on the right) from the top opening. No need to remove any screws. Plus it works now.
That's a good idea. I came to my solution by following the HP repair manual, but I believe your method would also work. However, your method might not allow for cleaning of the brush at the far right.
tldr: should I sell the plotter for scraps or fix it, if the printer needs a new $200+ print head and some serious ink chamber cleaning (the compartment shown in this video). I need some advice, I finally have gotten to the point of watching this video and i am in the cross road of whether or not to part with this plotter. Firstly I am guilty of refilling cartridges with kits for 2.5 yrs. it was plotting great for the first few years but since covid, The plotter has been in idle and developed a clog. I have probably broke my print head as the result of that (although it sounds like ppl w/ genuine cartridge are experiencing the same headache) Now my printer is leaking crazy and looks like it also damaged the sensor mentioned in your video. The time and money needed to get this operable again will probably exceed what I am willing to afford. If I were to sell my plotter that needs a new print head a deep cleaning, who would take it? Or is it completely worthless, and would be more valuable as a home plotter now that I have learned the in and out of the thing?
I used non-OEM cartridges for some time, and like you developed a problem with the print head. I tried many times with new non-oem cartridges to clean the cartridges, but the problem persisted. I decided to replace the print head and use genuine HP cartridges, and I haven’t had a problem since. It is clear that HP’s printer is capable of discerning between genuine and non-genuine cartridges. My suspicion, that I cannot prove, is that the printer is designed to behave differently in response to non-genuine cartridges, leading to these failures. Good luck.
It has been some time since I performed this task, but my memory is that the printer stopped printing. There was an error code. The ink that had accumulated on the "eye" had prevented the printer from detecting the edge of the paper. I'd say unless you have an error message, maybe don't worry about it.
I just go through the replace print head menu and open the top access door. The print head then centers in the opening then i use a clean towel to wipe off sensor. See Manuel for sensor location page 314. shared.swissparts.ch/Manuals/HP/Plotter/HP%20Designjet%20T120%20and%20T520.pdf This makes it so you don't have to take the printer apart to access the sensor. Hope this helps people save some time.
I hate HP , I have an HP DesignJet T520e I've had it for 3 years now from New, and EVERY year I had to replace the Print head at R 3400,00 HP gives you absolutely NO !! help or backup. I HATE this thing. Cartridges very expensive. Beginning of this year the Power Pack blew, I waited for mechanic to fix it for 3 weeks, then I fetched the machine out of desperation and had the power pack fixed by a friend . No again Carriage problems. I dare HP to comment on this message.
Thank you so much. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
You Sir are a Hero after weeks of trouble and HP being rubbish you have solved my problem!
Glad it helped you!
I have been having this problem for the past few months (T120). I realized that when you first guide the roll into the machine the system detects the paper and then asks what kind of paper you are loading. You select the type, but the machine slips and is unable to grab enough paper to feed it under the print head sensor. So immediately after you select the type of paper you need to be pushing paper into the feeder until it grabs enough paper to pull it under the print head sensor and align it. This fixed the problem without having to clean the head (but I did clean it anyway using the method below of just lifting the top lid and using a q tip - do not disassemble the unit).
Actually, I simply opened the ink cartridge cover. This made the print head go to the far left position. I was then able to clean the sensor (on the left) and the brush (on the right) from the top opening. No need to remove any screws. Plus it works now.
That's a good idea. I came to my solution by following the HP repair manual, but I believe your method would also work. However, your method might not allow for cleaning of the brush at the far right.
Same . Thanks for the video.
worked like a charm. Solved my error that it couldn't load media because it couldn't sense the paper.
Thank you so very much for this video
Thank you!! Issue solved!!
But did it work?
tldr: should I sell the plotter for scraps or fix it, if the printer needs a new $200+ print head and some serious ink chamber cleaning (the compartment shown in this video). I need some advice, I finally have gotten to the point of watching this video and i am in the cross road of whether or not to part with this plotter. Firstly I am guilty of refilling cartridges with kits for 2.5 yrs. it was plotting great for the first few years but since covid, The plotter has been in idle and developed a clog. I have probably broke my print head as the result of that (although it sounds like ppl w/ genuine cartridge are experiencing the same headache) Now my printer is leaking crazy and looks like it also damaged the sensor mentioned in your video. The time and money needed to get this operable again will probably exceed what I am willing to afford. If I were to sell my plotter that needs a new print head a deep cleaning, who would take it? Or is it completely worthless, and would be more valuable as a home plotter now that I have learned the in and out of the thing?
I used non-OEM cartridges for some time, and like you developed a problem with the print head. I tried many times with new non-oem cartridges to clean the cartridges, but the problem persisted. I decided to replace the print head and use genuine HP cartridges, and I haven’t had a problem since. It is clear that HP’s printer is capable of discerning between genuine and non-genuine cartridges. My suspicion, that I cannot prove, is that the printer is designed to behave differently in response to non-genuine cartridges, leading to these failures. Good luck.
Hi , Can someone take a pic of where the sensor is exactly please?
the line sensor
how to know when a printer need this treatment?
It has been some time since I performed this task, but my memory is that the printer stopped printing. There was an error code. The ink that had accumulated on the "eye" had prevented the printer from detecting the edge of the paper. I'd say unless you have an error message, maybe don't worry about it.
When the printer suddenly is not detecting the paper, there is ink on the sensor that has accumulated over time that needs wiped off.
I just go through the replace print head menu and open the top access door. The print head then centers in the opening then i use a clean towel to wipe off sensor. See Manuel for sensor location page 314. shared.swissparts.ch/Manuals/HP/Plotter/HP%20Designjet%20T120%20and%20T520.pdf This makes it so you don't have to take the printer apart to access the sensor. Hope this helps people save some time.
I hate HP , I have an HP DesignJet T520e I've had it for 3 years now from New, and EVERY year I had to replace the Print head at R 3400,00 HP gives you absolutely NO !! help or backup. I HATE this thing. Cartridges very expensive. Beginning of this year the Power Pack blew, I waited for mechanic to fix it for 3 weeks, then I fetched the machine out of desperation and had the power pack fixed by a friend . No again Carriage problems. I dare HP to comment on this message.
I'm having issues with printing. I'm not getting an error message and my printer is stuck on multi tray. It will not detect any size paper!