Date Reviewed: 9/14/98
Article ID: HDH980007

The information in this Help Desk Hint applies to:

• HP DeskJet 690 printers
• Possibly all HP Inkjet printers

Summary

Normally things go fine with your printer. Then one day the printer starts knocking or banging as it prints. Sometime it gets so bad, that the print itself becomes blurry from the shaking. In some instances the printer has even refused to operate due to a hardware error. Follow the steps below to solve this problem.

Problem

The problem is a dirty printer. This problem is caused by the buildup of dirt on the silver "slide bar" that the shuttle head moves back and forth on. When the buildup becomes thick and sticky, the collar riding the bar seizes up. This caused the motor to pull harder. The collar breaks free causing the banging sound.

Solution

You will need:

1. Isopropyl Alcohol
2. Paper towel or soft cloth

The Steps to follow:

1. Turn on you printer
2. Open the lid and let the shuttle move to the center.
3. Leaving the lid open, unplug the power cord from the printer. (located on the back right hand side)
4. Tear and/or fold the paper towel/cloth to make a long strip about an inch wide and at least six inches long.
5. Moisten one side of the towel with the alcohol.
6. Carefully wrap the towel around the silver rod to the right of the shuttle head. Be careful not to also wrap the thin plastic strip or black toothed belt. You only want the silver bar.
7. Slide the moist towel back and forth over the silver bar. Be sure to reach all the way into the right hand side of the machine.
8. Remove the towel; moisten another for the next step.
9. Gently slide the shuttle with your hand over the area you just wiped.
10. Wrap the towel around the silver bar to the left of the shuttle head. Repeat the wiping pattern.
11. Remove the towel.
12. Close the lid.
13. Plug in the power.
14. Print something that has a combination of long and short lines of text.
15. You may need to repeat the process once or twice depending on how dirty the silver bar has become.

Benefits

1. You printer will stop banging and start printing again.