Printer heads can get clogged if the printers have not been used in awhile or a print cartridge has been empty or stored for a long time. Clogs in print heads can cause problems with the print job quality.This article will tell you how to clean print heads. Use caution while cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. 2  Some printers have rubber gaskets that can dry out and break using this method. 3  Do not turn off or restart the printer while the cleaning function is running.