FIXING CLOGGED INK CARTRIDGES

It’s very frustrating trying to fix a clogged printer cartridge. This is a common problem with ink, clogging usually

happens over time when the inkjet printer is not used for long periods of time.

What is a print head?

The print head is where most clogs occur, the Small holes that make up the inkjet printers head can become clogged with ink that has dried at its surface. On the Epson and canon printers the heads are located on the printer however; with the HP, Lexmark and dell printers the head is located on the ink cartridge. 

How printers cope with clogs?

All printers have a cleaning option where you can run an ink head cleaning cycle via your computer or through the control panel on the printer. It might take several cycles, one after another to fix the clogged inks. 

Fixinng Clogged Inkjet Cartridges!

With inkjet cartridges that have the print head on the ink itself changing the cartridge gives you a new, unclogged print head.

These inkjet cartridges are not cheap so don’t just buy a replacement because you have a blockage.

What should I do if I have a clogged cartridge?

Try blotting the ink first. With blotting you will need some tissue paper and some distilled water or inkjet cartridge flush (which is usually a form of ethanol). Place a little fluid on the paper and press the print head on the wet spot of the paper. Change the paper if need to until you see the ink flow in a solid straight line. For a black cartridge you will get a single black line and for the colour cartridge you will get three lines; cyan, magenta, and yellow. The blotting method requires patience as it may take a sometime to work depending on the blockage.

Fixing other clogged printer cartridges!

With the printer cartridges that have the print head as part of the printer itself, the head can only be replaced by a service technician, and the cost is close to the price of the printer itself.

The inks for these types of printers are very cheap so you can try a new set of inks first. You should look for a store which sells ink cartridges cheap.

What are cleaning cartridges?

There are cleaning cartridges available for these printers, which are usually full of cartridge flush rather than ink. Insert the cleaning cartridges into your printer and perform head cleaning cycles. This usually clears any clogging or blockage.

There is no cleaning cartridge available for my printer machine!

If no cleaning cartridges are available for your machine and your head is still clogged then remove the inks and insert 5-6 drops of cartridge flush down in the ink nozzles. These are located where the ink cartridge normally sits. The ink usually flows down these from the cartridge into the head. Put the ink cartridges back in and run a head cleaning cycle.  This method might take several cleaning sessions before it clears up.

My cartridge is still clogged!

If that does not work then take your printer to a local ink shop which sells brother ink cartridges, canon ink cartridges, HP ink cartridges, epson ink cartridges etc because such stores keep all kinds of stuff to cope with printer problems. These stores might be located in your area who usually have print head cleaners or high pressure water stream that can free the clog in a matter of a minute or so.

How can I avoid clogged cartridge?

To avoid your ink cartridge from clogging and blockages print something on a regular basis a week to keep the ink flowing or switch to a laser printer as many of our clients have done as they do not get  blocked or clog up.