Instructions to perform Botom Plate Cleaning. If the printer interior is dirty with ink, the print jobs may be smeared. Perform Bottom Plate Cleaning to remove the ink. If Bottom Plate Cleaning is not effective, use a cotton swab to remove the ink inside the printer.

Instructions to perform a Bottom Plate Cleaning:

1. Ensure that the printer is powered on and open the paper output tray. (Confirm that the paper thickness lever is set to the left.)
   
   

2. Finish or cancel any print jobs before proceeding.
   
   

3. Launch the IJ Printer Utility.
   
   

   • Open 'Applications', and 'Utilities', and double-click the 'Printer Setup Utility' icon.
     
     
   • Select the printer name you are using, in the Printer List, and click the 'Utility' icon on the toolbar.
     
     

4. Select 'Cleaning' from the pop-up menu.
   
   
   
   * Display may vary depending on the printer.
   
   

5. Click the 'Bottom Plate Cleaning' icon.
   
   
   
   * Display may vary depending on the printer.
   
   
   Note: The dialog for Bottom Plate Cleaning will be displayed with on-screen instructions.
   
   
   
   

6. Remove all paper from the auto sheet feeder (ASF).
   
   

7. Fold a letter-sized sheet of plain white paper in half.
   
   

8. Unfold the paper, and load the paper into the auto sheet feeder with the opened side up, and the crease down.
   
   
   Caution: Do not load the paper folded in half in the auto sheet feeder or a paper jam may occur.
   
   

9. Click 'Execute'. (Bottom Plate Cleaning will start.)
   
   
   
   
   Note: When the cleaning is finished the paper will be fed and ejected. Do not try other operations until this step is completed.
   
   

10. Examine the ejected paper.
    
    
    Note: If the after performing the Bottom Plate Cleaning up to three times and the paper is still smeared with ink, the protruding rib inside the printer may need to be cleaned. Use a cotton swab to clean inside the printer. (See instructions below).
    
    

Instructions to clean the inside of the printer using a cotton swab:

1. Turn off the machine and remove the power plug.
   
   

2. Lift the scanning unit (printer cover) until it stops and fix it in place using the scanning unit support.
   
   
   
   

3. Wipe ink off the protrusions <1> (shown by the arrow) and their peripheries <2> using a swab.
   
   
   Caution: Use a dry cotton swab only. Do not touch the transparent film or any metal parts within the machine. Doing so may damage the machine.
   
   
   Illustration shows an MP460