How To Clean The Hp Deskjet 3524 Printhead Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          20 minutes - 2 hours

Sections

How to Clean the HP DeskJet 3524 Printhead
10 steps

Flags

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

BackHP Deskjet 3524
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              How to Clean the HP DeskJet 3524 Printhead

Power on the printer.
To access the cartridge door, locate the two tabs on the left and right side of the printer. Lift up on the tabs and the print wagon will move into the access area.
After the wagon is accessible, the print-head will center itself in the printer. Once it is centered, remove the ink cartridges. To do this, press on the front tab of each cartridge. After the cartridges are removed, wrap them in a paper towel and set them to the side.
With the print-head still accessible in the center, power off the printer and unplug the machine.

Power on the printer.

To access the cartridge door, locate the two tabs on the left and right side of the printer. Lift up on the tabs and the print wagon will move into the access area.

After the wagon is accessible, the print-head will center itself in the printer. Once it is centered, remove the ink cartridges. To do this, press on the front tab of each cartridge. After the cartridges are removed, wrap them in a paper towel and set them to the side.

With the print-head still accessible in the center, power off the printer and unplug the machine.

1024

Step 2

Next, apply pressure on the “clean out door.” The door will loosen and allow removal.

Next, apply pressure on the “clean out door.” The door will loosen and allow removal.

Step 3

Next, locate the seven torx screws (highlighted in red circles). To avoid confusion when reassembling later, we suggest drawing a picture of the printer and taping the screws to the image.
After removing the seven screws, loosen the lever from the scanner compartment.

Next, locate the seven torx screws (highlighted in red circles). To avoid confusion when reassembling later, we suggest drawing a picture of the printer and taping the screws to the image.

After removing the seven screws, loosen the lever from the scanner compartment.

Step 4

Next, remove the orange cover. Use caution as the display unit is still attached to the cover. If you pull the cover off too quickly, you could tear the flat cable.
In the second and third pictures, you will see 2 black plastic buttons. Push on the buttons and the display unit will separate from the orange cover.
When reassembling, ensure the white flat ribbon cable is correctly attached. If it is not attached correctly, you will be unable to push the orange cover closed.

Next, remove the orange cover. Use caution as the display unit is still attached to the cover. If you pull the cover off too quickly, you could tear the flat cable.

In the second and third pictures, you will see 2 black plastic buttons. Push on the buttons and the display unit will separate from the orange cover.

When reassembling, ensure the white flat ribbon cable is correctly attached. If it is not attached correctly, you will be unable to push the orange cover closed.

Step 5

Next, locate the 2 iron springs and remove with pliers.
After removing the springs, gently remove the print-head, but not completely as the print-head is still attached to the printed circuit board (PCB).

Next, locate the 2 iron springs and remove with pliers.

After removing the springs, gently remove the print-head, but not completely as the print-head is still attached to the printed circuit board (PCB).

Step 6

The printed circuit board (PCB) is the flat green object perpendicular to the printer.
Gently remove the PCB by unscrewing the two torx screws (highlighted in red circles).
Prepare to remove the flat cables attached to the PCB. They are also connected to the print-head.

The printed circuit board (PCB) is the flat green object perpendicular to the printer.

Gently remove the PCB by unscrewing the two torx screws (highlighted in red circles).

Prepare to remove the flat cables attached to the PCB. They are also connected to the print-head.

Step 7

There are 2 flat cables. To avoid confusion when reassembling, mark one to ensure the cables are correctly matched to the socket.
After making the necessary markers, gently pull the flat cables away from the socket.

There are 2 flat cables. To avoid confusion when reassembling, mark one to ensure the cables are correctly matched to the socket.

After making the necessary markers, gently pull the flat cables away from the socket.

Step 8

Because the next steps involve water, we suggest cleaning the print-head over the sink. Before you begin, gather the following: 2 bowls of water (one with distilled water and one with regular water), cotton swabs, syringe, and paper towels.
Fill the syringe with distilled water and spray the small holes on the print-head. Use the cotton swabs to scrub and clean the crevices.
Please note: You will only use the distilled water to clean the device. The regular bowl of water is used for cleaning the syringe.

Because the next steps involve water, we suggest cleaning the print-head over the sink. Before you begin, gather the following: 2 bowls of water (one with distilled water and one with regular water), cotton swabs, syringe, and paper towels.

Fill the syringe with distilled water and spray the small holes on the print-head. Use the cotton swabs to scrub and clean the crevices.

Please note: You will only use the distilled water to clean the device. The regular bowl of water is used for cleaning the syringe.

Step 9

Please note: It is important that you do not spill distilled water or regular water on the PCB. Use a cotton swab to clean around the PCB.
If you spill any water on the PCB, immediately clean the PCB with isopropyl alcohol.
After cleaning the print-head, allow the device to air dry for a few hours.
In the last picture, you will see 4 black spots in the water. That is hard, dried ink which caused my printing problem.

Please note: It is important that you do not spill distilled water or regular water on the PCB. Use a cotton swab to clean around the PCB.

If you spill any water on the PCB, immediately clean the PCB with isopropyl alcohol.

After cleaning the print-head, allow the device to air dry for a few hours.

In the last picture, you will see 4 black spots in the water. That is hard, dried ink which caused my printing problem.

Step 10

When reassembling the print-head, ensure the black lint is under the black connector (see photo). If the blink lint is above the connector, you will receive a “wagon error” code. The wagon will essentially hit the right side of the printer, unable to go tot he left side.
After the printer is reassembled, print an “alignment page” and a “cleaning print head page.”

When reassembling the print-head, ensure the black lint is under the black connector (see photo). If the blink lint is above the connector, you will receive a “wagon error” code. The wagon will essentially hit the right side of the printer, unable to go tot he left side.

After the printer is reassembled, print an “alignment page” and a “cleaning print head page.”

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      10 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 11 other contributors

                    Kevin D

Member since: 05/02/2014

7,090 Reputation

                                      21 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       24







                                                        +21 more badges

Bejoy Thomas - Jul 10, 2017

I put the head back and reassembled correctly , but the carriage goes left and few cms and returned hitting right side , repeats twice and shows carriage jam error.The transparent ribbon is in right slot.The gears roll noisy before stopping.

joycecamara888 - Jul 25, 2022

Had the same issue. Were you able to resolve?

Kevin D - Jul 11, 2017

Hi Thomas,

Did you checked the black ribbon/ lint is in the correct place?

did you reset the printer ?

also check this page : https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Inkjet-Pri…

Stephen F - Aug 18, 2021

This is a great guide. Very clear and easy to follow. You might want to add something about freeing the restraining arm on the cover.

Ken Brown - Apr 25, 2022

Thanks for this guide. I used it on my HP3525. I added one step which was to put a few millimeters of distilled water in a small dish and stood the printheads in the water for a few minutes then I gently lifted and lowered the printheads. The amount of black ink that came off was amazing. My first print was almost perfect.

Member-Contributed Guide#

Introduction#

What you need#

Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction

What you need