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How to Clean Brother QL Printer Print Head And Roller

Written by: BernauLena

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Time to read 3 min

The print head is a key part of a label printer. Frequent use or lack of maintenance can cause dirt buildup on the print head, leading to poor print quality and sometimes even stopping the printer from working correctly. To help users keep their Brother QL thermal label printers running well and extend the life of the print head, this guide will explain why print heads get dirty, how to clean them, and give some tips on maintenance.


Why the Print Head Gets Dirty

Printer heads gets dirty is a normal thing. Debris can get in every time you open the printer cover. Over time, dust and paper debris can gather on the print head, lowering print clarity.


In addition, When printing, some labels may leave behind a small amount of adhesive during printing, which can stick to the print head and affect print quality.



Preparing to Clean the Print Head

Before starting, turn off the power to ensure safety. Prepare your cleaning tools, including a thermal printer cleaning pen or a clean, dry soft cloth/a cotton swab and a small amount of alcohol.


Clean the Brother Thermal Printer Print Head

1. Gently Wipe The Print Head With a Dry, Clean Soft Cloth

Use a dry, clean, soft cloth to gently wipe the print head, removing dust and paper particles. Be careful not to press too hard to avoid damaging the delicate print head.


2. Wiping the Print head with a cotton swab and alcohol

Gently wipe the print head with a cotton swab and a little alcohol. Avoid using too much alcohol to prevent any liquid from entering the printer.


Use a Cleaning Sheet to Clean the Roller

Except for the print head, the roller is another part that often contacts the labels and may accumulate dirt. So after a period of use, you can clean it using a cleaning sheet. But this is optional, you can choose clean the roller or not according to your printer's state.


1. Open the printer’s label roll cover and remove the label roll.

2. Peel off section 2 of the cleaning sheet and insert its lower edge (print side up) into the printer.

3. Close the label cover, press and hold the "Feed" or "Cutter" button until the cleaning sheet exits. The sticky surface of the sheet will remove dirt from the roller.

Note: The cleaning sheet is for single-use only. Please discard it after use.

thermal  printer cleaning sheet

Maintenance Tips


To keep your Brother QL printer in good condition, here are some maintenance tips:


  • Use High-Quality Thermal Paper: Quality paper leaves less residue.
  • Clean Regularly: Clean the print head monthly or quarterly, depending on usage. Clean thoroughly before storing the printer for long periods.
  • Control Print Frequency: Printing continuously for long periods may overheat the print head. Pause between prints to avoid overheating.

Conclusion

This guide covers the reasons, steps, and tips for cleaning the print head on a Brother QL label printer. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the print head can greatly improve the printer’s performance and extend its life. We hope these steps help keep your printing experience smooth and trouble-free! We hope this guide helps you maintain your Brother printer’s print head!



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Betckey Premium Labels is a leading supplier of compatible direct thermal labels, committed to high-quality and eco-friendly products as well as competitive pricing. We offer better products than manufactured original at 70% less price. Now, our Amazon store ranks first in the US, Canada, and Western Europe with thousands of positive ratings. Visit betckey.com and get 10% off purchases over $150 with code Betckey10 and 15% off over $400 with code Betckey15! Sign up now and we'll send you a $5 discount code towards your first purchase. By the way, welcome to follow our official @ Tik Tok and @ Youtube accounts to get Betckey’s latest news!

 

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