F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Question Brother DCP-T220 has a blocked printer head.

Question Brother DCP-T220 has a blocked printer head.

Question Brother DCP-T220 has a blocked printer head.

G
Gr33nFlar3
Member
158
02-18-2026, 09:44 PM
#1
Hello,
I own a Brother DCP-T220 inkjet printer with a tank refill system. I realized I hadn't printed a page every 10 to 15 days, which is recommended for inkjet printers. After more than two months of inactivity, the print quality deteriorated significantly—both colors and black.

I performed some basic cleaning, which showed a slight improvement. I tried the deep clean cycle multiple times (three times), but the issue persisted.

After searching online, I found a method that involves unplugging the printer while it prints to release the head, then opening it and placing a damp tissue with distilled water under the print head for about 15 minutes to dissolve the dried ink.

Would you recommend this approach? Or do you have an alternative suggestion?
Thank you in advance for your help.
G
Gr33nFlar3
02-18-2026, 09:44 PM #1

Hello,
I own a Brother DCP-T220 inkjet printer with a tank refill system. I realized I hadn't printed a page every 10 to 15 days, which is recommended for inkjet printers. After more than two months of inactivity, the print quality deteriorated significantly—both colors and black.

I performed some basic cleaning, which showed a slight improvement. I tried the deep clean cycle multiple times (three times), but the issue persisted.

After searching online, I found a method that involves unplugging the printer while it prints to release the head, then opening it and placing a damp tissue with distilled water under the print head for about 15 minutes to dissolve the dried ink.

Would you recommend this approach? Or do you have an alternative suggestion?
Thank you in advance for your help.

R
RavenRavine
Member
197
02-19-2026, 04:23 PM
#2
I attempted to test repeating the deep clean cycle several more times. I experienced a comparable problem when I owned a printer previously, where skipping printing sessions led to the printer's nozzle or head becoming blocked.
R
RavenRavine
02-19-2026, 04:23 PM #2

I attempted to test repeating the deep clean cycle several more times. I experienced a comparable problem when I owned a printer previously, where skipping printing sessions led to the printer's nozzle or head becoming blocked.

T
tazman56
Member
222
02-19-2026, 05:39 PM
#3
Thank you, I performed repeated normal cleaning and deep cleaning multiple times. I even printed full colored pages between cleans, which helped me see some progress and reduced the time and ink wasted.
T
tazman56
02-19-2026, 05:39 PM #3

Thank you, I performed repeated normal cleaning and deep cleaning multiple times. I even printed full colored pages between cleans, which helped me see some progress and reduced the time and ink wasted.

F
Fireano
Junior Member
45
02-26-2026, 06:41 PM
#4
I share this update to assist anyone facing this problem. The method described above functioned excellently, but I strongly advise using it only as a final option if you are confident in your skills. Be aware that if your inkjet printer's bottom is open—common in many modern printers—you might be able to see the print head. You can carefully place a dampened tissue under it without disassembling anything. Ensure the tissue is sufficiently dampened with distilled water to address the dry ink, but avoid over-soaking to prevent water leakage. Once done, perform a regular cleaning cycle and you should be finished.
F
Fireano
02-26-2026, 06:41 PM #4

I share this update to assist anyone facing this problem. The method described above functioned excellently, but I strongly advise using it only as a final option if you are confident in your skills. Be aware that if your inkjet printer's bottom is open—common in many modern printers—you might be able to see the print head. You can carefully place a dampened tissue under it without disassembling anything. Ensure the tissue is sufficiently dampened with distilled water to address the dry ink, but avoid over-soaking to prevent water leakage. Once done, perform a regular cleaning cycle and you should be finished.