Learn how to properly clean the print head, platen roller, and other essential components of your CL4NX Plus / CL6NX Plus printer to maintain print quality and prevent malfunctions.
Cleaning the print head, the platen roller and other parts
A dirty print head or platen roller can negatively impact print quality and may cause errors or malfunctions. Regular cleaning helps keep the printer operating reliably.
- Do not power the printer on or off, or connect or disconnect the power cord with wet hands. Doing so may cause electric shock.
- Disconnect the power cord from the AC outlet before cleaning. The print head and surrounding areas remain hot after printing. Wait for the printer to cool down.
- Avoid touching the edge of the print head with bare hands, as it may cause injury.
- Be careful not to touch the cutter blade while cleaning.
- Use only the recommended cleaning products. Do not clean with hard objects, as they may cause damage.
- Remove the media and ribbon before cleaning.
Cleaning intervals
The recommended cleaning schedule depends on printer usage. However, cleaning should be performed as necessary, even if the intervals below have not been reached.
Regular cleaning intervals
- After you print one media roll or print media for 150 meters (492.1 feet).
Use the cleaning kit to clean:
- Print head
- Platen roller
- Media sensors
- Media guide
- After print six media rolls or print media for 900 meters (2952.8 feet).
Use the cleaning sheet to clean:
- Print head
Use the cleaning kit to clean:
- Media route
- Ribbon route
Cleaning using the cleaning kit
The following steps describe how to clean the printer using the cleaning kit.
Caution: The following steps describe how to clean the printer using the cleaning kit.
Watch the cleaning video for more details:
- CL4NX Plus
- CL6NX Plus
Cleaning procedure:
- Ensure the printer is powered off and disconnect the power cord from the AC outlet.
- Open the top cover fully to prevent accidental closure.
- Push the head lock lever (1) toward the rear to unlock the print head.
Caution:
- The print head and surrounding areas may be hot after printing—handle with care.
- Do not touch the print head edge with bare hands, as it may cause injury.
- Remove any loaded media and ribbon.
- Clean the following parts using a cotton cloth dabbed with cleaning liquid:
- Print head (2)
- Plate (3)
- Ribbon roller (4)
- Platen roller (5)
- Tilt the sensor guide lock (6) downward and pull out the media sensor guide (7).
- Clean the bottom of the media sensor guide using a cotton cloth with cleaning liquid
- Clean the media sensor (8) using the same method.
- Return the media sensor guide to its original position and tilt the sensor guide lock up to secure it.
- While holding the print head assembly, clean the shaft (9) using a cotton cloth with cleaning liquid.
Cleaning printer parts for CL4NX Plus with linerless cutter kit
Caution:
- If linerless labels are left on the platen roller for an extended period without printing, remove them. Otherwise, a paper jam may occur.
- When loading linerless labels, ensure the front end of the media extends approximately 3 cm (1.18″) from the media discharge outlet.
Cleaning intervals
After printing one media roll or when glue residue or paper dust is present on the media route:
- Print head
- Media guide
- Media sensors
- Guide rollers
- Linerless platen roller
Cleaning the optional linerless cutter kit (CL4NX Plus only)
If the printer has a linerless cutter kit installed, follow these additional steps for cleaning:
- Clean the media guide (1) and inner surface (2) that comes in contact with the label edge using a cotton cloth with cleaning liquid.
- Clean the guide rollers (3) using a cotton cloth with cleaning liquid.
- Rotate the guide rollers to clean all areas evenly.
Cleaning using the cleaning sheet
This method is used to clean the print head and platen roller using a cleaning sheet.
Cleaning procedure:
- Ensure the printer is powered off and disconnect the power cord from the AC outlet.
- Open the top cover fully to prevent accidental closure.
- Push the head lock lever (1) toward the rear to unlock the print head
Caution:
- The print head and surrounding areas may be hot—be careful to avoid burns.
- Do not touch the print head edge with bare hands, as it may cause injury.
- Remove any loaded media and ribbon.
- Place the cleaning sheet (2) between the print head and the platen roller.
- The rough side of the cleaning sheet should be adjacent to the print head.
- Press the print head down until the head lock lever clicks into place.
- Using both hands, pull the cleaning sheet away from the printer.
- Repeat steps 5 through 7 two or three times.
- Stop when no more dirt appears on the cleaning sheet.
- Push the head lock lever (1) toward the rear to unlock the print head.
- Use a cotton swab to clean any remaining dirt on the print head (3).
