Understanding HP PageWide Stationary Printhead Banding
HP PageWide printers do not use a moving printhead carriage. Instead, a stationary 8.5-inch print bar spans the entire page width with 42,240 microscopic nozzles.
Because the printhead is fixed while the paper travels beneath it, a clogged nozzle creates a continuous vertical white streak running straight down the page.
Step 1: Print the Print Quality Diagnostic Page (PQ Diagnostic)
Isolate which of the 10 printhead die modules contains the clogged nozzles:
- Load clean white letter paper: Ensure standard 20lb or 24lb bond paper is loaded in Tray 2.
- Access the Support Menu: On the front panel, tap Setup > Reports > Print Quality Report.
- Inspect the color bars: The report prints 4 solid color bands (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) broken down into 10 numbered die segments.
- Locate the missing nozzles: Identify which numbered segment (Die 1 through Die 10) displays vertical white breaks.
Step 2: Run Automated Printhead Cleaning Levels
PageWide printers feature a multi-stage cleaning cycle that purges ink through the service station:
- Navigate to Tools: Tap Setup > Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
- Execute Level 1 Clean: Allow the printer to cycle. This takes approximately 2 minutes and wipes the nozzle plates with the fabric web wiper.
- Evaluate test print: If faint streaks remain, proceed to Level 2 Clean immediately.
- Run Level 3 deep purge (if necessary): Level 3 fires high-pressure ink micro-bursts to dislodge dried pigment particles. Do not run Level 3 more than twice consecutively.
Step 3: Enable Bad Drop Normalization (BDN)
HP PageWide firmware includes an automated nozzle replacement algorithm called Bad Drop Normalization:
- Access the Embedded Web Server (EWS): Open a web browser on your computer and type your PageWide printer's IP address.
- Log in as Administrator: Enter your custom admin PIN located on the serial sticker behind the front door.
- Navigate to Print Quality: Click the Print tab > Print Quality > Nozzle Health.
- Verify Auto-Substitution: Ensure Bad Drop Normalization is toggled Enabled. This instructs neighboring healthy nozzles to fire angled micro-droplets over missing jet gaps.
Step 4: Inspect the Service Station Web Wiper
The service station under the print bar uses a motorized fabric cleaning roll that wipes nozzles:
- Open the left access door: Lower the door to inspect the duplex service module.
- Check the fabric roll: Ensure the white fabric wiper ribbon is not completely saturated in dry, crusty ink.
- Inspect the advance gear: If the fabric roll has reached its end, the printer displays error
0xc6fd0013. Replace the service station module to restore automatic wiping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does banding appear in the exact same vertical spot on every page?
Because the PageWide print bar is stationary, a single clogged nozzle will leave an unprinted vertical line down the entire length of the page in the paper feed direction.
Can I manually wipe the PageWide print bar with a swab?
No. Never touch the PageWide nozzle plates with cotton swabs or solvents. The microscopic silicon nozzle dies can be permanently scratched, ruining the entire print bar.
Does print quality mode affect PageWide banding?
Yes. Switching from "General Office" (draft) to "Professional" mode activates multi-pass drop shingling, which masks missing nozzle streaks using neighboring jets.
