How to Fix a Dry Ink Cartridge ?


Does the dwindling print quality of your newly purchased printer make you frown? Then, the culprit might be the dry ink cartridge. If the printer sits unused for a while or the ink runs low, such poor-quality prints are quite common. However, the good news is that you don’t have to replace the printer yet. Or, even buy a new cartridge. Instead, you can follow this guide to learn how to fix dry ink cartridge HP or any other printer issue.

Indeed, we will show you easy steps to clean, soak, and restore your cartridge. So, let’s get started and save you from a costly replacement.

printer repair services

Your Ink Cartridge is Dry: What are The Signs?

Before you dive into how to make dry ink cartridge work, it’s important to verify that it’s the ultimate problem. Here are some common signs that confirm that your printer suffers from a dry ink cartridge.

Faded Prints

Do your prints come out faint or almost invisible? If you experience such an incident with certain colours then either the ink has dried up or is running low.

Poor Colour Accuracy

Another symptom behind a dry ink cartridge is inaccurate or missing colour. Perhaps, the dried-up ink clogs the nozzle and your printer fails to deliver the result you expected.

Vertical Stripes or Gaps

Dried-up ink inside the cartridge can clog the printhead, as you know. Consequently, you might experience incomplete or broken lines in the printouts.

Error Messages

Selected printers are designed to detect a malfunctioning ink cartridge and convey the error to the user. So, pay attention to your printer and find out whether it warns you about an empty or defective cartridge.

If your printer exhibits these signs, then it’s likely that the dry ink cartridge is the culprit.

What Causes Your Printer’s Ink Cartridge to Dry Out?

Understanding the reasons will help you recognise how to fix dry ink cartridge HP better. According to Printer Repair Dubai experts, ink cartridges can dry out for the following reasons.

Irregular Use

Are you not using your printer enough? Then, this is the reason why you deal with a dry ink cartridge. If a printing device sits idle for weeks or months at a stretch, the ink can easily dry up inside the cartridge. Also, the ink can block the nozzle. The ink might form a gel-like substance or evaporate if the printer is not in use.

Expired Cartridges

Before you dive into how to make dry ink cartridge work, check whether you used expired cartridges. It’s crucial to inspect the expiry date of the cartridge and make an informed decision based on your usage frequency. So, the next time you buy ink cartridges, make sure you pay extra attention to reading the expiry date or fine prints.

Improperly Store Ink Cartridges

The knowledge of how to clean ink carriages might not work if you don’t know how to store them properly. If you store ink cartridges in places where direct sunlight enters then they can dry up too quickly. Hence, choose a place with stable temperatures to keep ink cartridges cool and their fluidity intact.

Low-Quality Cartridges

Reportedly, off-brand or low-quality ink cartridges can lead to more rapid drying or even clogging. This happens because low-quality ink is more prone to evaporate or form thick deposits inside the cartridge. On the other hand, genuine brand ink cartridges exhibit better quality and longevity.

Blocked Printhead

Sometimes, it’s not the dry ink cartridge; rather, it’s the malfunctioning printhead. If the printhead is clogged, the ink can’t be dispensed properly. As a result, you encounter faded or missing prints.

How to Fix Dry Ink Cartridge HP, Brother, or Any Brand?

A dry ink cartridge can be a huge inconvenience especially if you are in a hurry to get important printouts. Fortunately, quick and easy fixes for how to make dry ink cartridge work are available. You can apply them to your printer when the issue is not so deeply rooted.

On the other hand, some recovery methods might need more time and patience. Let’s check out how to fix dry ink cartridge HP or any other brand.

1. Clean the Printhead

A clogged printhead is often the culprit for disturbing print quality. And, you might assume that the ink has dried up. Since the printhead delivers the ink from the cartridge to the paper, it might get clogged with dried ink particles.

Then, how to clean dry ink cartridges or printhead? According to Printer Repair Dubai technicians, you should check whether your printer has any automated cleaning options. Navigate to the dedicated printer software or the control panel. Typically, such cleaning options reside in the printer settings like Tools or Maintenance.

Also, look out for deep cleaning or advanced cleaning functions. They can remove stubborn clogs from the printhead. However, such functions might not be available for regular colour printers.

Since not every printer features automated cleaning, here’s what you need to follow for a manual one.

  • First, get the ink cartridges from the printer.
  • Next, get a lint-free soft cloth and soak it in warm water. Wring the cloth to get rid of the excess water and place it on a flat surface.
  • Now, dab the printhead part gently on the wet cloth to soften the dried ink. The printhead is the part where the ink oozes out.
  • Alternatively, you can take a cotton swab and dip it in warm water. Then, use the swab to clean the nozzles carefully.
  • After you have cleaned the printhead, let it dry. 

Finally, reinsert the ink cartridge system and run a test print.

2. Soak the Dry Ink Cartridge in Warm Water

If it’s not the printhead only that is clogged but also the ink has dried out then here’s the trick. How to make dry ink cartridge work – try soaking the cartridge in warm water. This should loosen the ink. Also, this trick is helpful if your printer has been sitting idle for a long time.

Let’s see how to clean dry ink cartridges step by step.

  • Remove the ink cartridge from your printer after referring to the user manual.
  • Now, prepare the water for cleaning and unclogging. Use a shallow container and fill it with warm water. The water level must be high enough that the printhead can submerge. However, the electrical contacts of the cartridge should not come in touch with the water.
  • Then, place the cartridge in the water-filled container for about 15 minutes. The warm water should seep into the cartridge and help to soften any dried ink inside.
  • After 15 minutes or so, bring the cartridge out of the container. Dry the cartridge using a soft cloth.

Make sure that you don’t touch the printhead directly. After the cartridge has dried out completely, reinstall it and run a test print. For better results, you might need to run a cleaning cycle and it will clear up any residual ink.

3. Use a Specialised Cleaning Solution

Sometimes, plain water is not sufficient for the process of how to fix dry ink cartridge HP. In that case, you can use a cleaning solution that can easily dissolve dried ink. These cleaning solutions vary from one manufacturer to another. So, pay attention to your printer manufacturer’s guidelines.

Also, you can make a cleaning solution on your own using rubbing alcohol and distilled water. Mix rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and distilled water in the same quantity to get a cleaning solution. Alternatively, you can use hand sanitiser as a cleaning solution. Then, use the previous method to clean and dry the ink cartridge.

Finally, you can reinstall the cartridge and test the print quality to check for improvement.

4. Replace the Ink Cartridge

Has none of the methods worked for your printer? Then, it might be the time to replace the ink cartridge. If your ink cartridge has already expired, completely dried out, or is old, then replacement is the only way out. How to make dry ink cartridge work won’t work and you should invest in a high-quality branded one.

Can You Prevent Ink Cartridges from Drying Out?

Yes, that’s possible just like how to fix dry ink cartridge HP or anything else. However, prevention should always be your first option rather than learning how to make dry ink cartridge work. After all, you can’t help but buy a replacement cartridge if the ink completely dries out.

So, here are some handy tips to save you money and effort.

Use Your Printer Frequently

Make sure that you use the printer regularly. Indeed, try to print something every one or two weeks. Printing a test page will even work. Regular use restricts the ink from drying up inside the cartridge.

Keep Your Cartridges Secure

Have you purchased multiple ink cartridges on sale? Then, ensure you store them in a sealed plastic bag or container. Otherwise, they can be exposed to air and heat causing them to evaporate quickly. Also, choose a cool space to store your cartridges inside a container.

Utilise High-Quality Cartridge

Off-brand generic ink cartridges might seem tempting but they might make you compromise on quality. On the other hand, they can dry up or clot quickly compared to branded ones.

Turn Your Printer Off Properly

You must power off your printer as suggested by the manufacturer. This will allow your printer to seal the printhead when the device is not in use.

Parting Thoughts…

Making a dry ink cartridge is possible with the right strategic approach. However, the print quality might not revert to 100% quality results as your printer used to. Yet, the above-mentioned fixes can defend you from a premature replacement.

Also, regular printer usage and comprehensive maintenance are essentials. Thus, your printer can perform at its peak. Still, don’t hesitate to reach out to Printer Repair Dubai if you can’t get rid of dry ink cartridge issues.

Open chat
Hi UrbanClap
Call Now Button

GET FREE QUOTE

GET FREE QUOTE