Ink cartridge clogs can bring your printing to a screeching halt, cutting into your productivity and leaving you frustrated trying to address the issue. But don’t stress – learning how to unclog printer ink cartridge is actually fairly simple and straightforward!
We’ll walk you through the process of how to clean a clogged printer ink cartridge below along with tips on preventing printer ink cartridge clogs going forward so you don’t have to deal with your business getting put on pause in the future.
If the automated printing cycle doesn’t clear out the clog, you may need to try manually cleaning it with a cloth, or soaking it for a period of time. There are even specialized ink cartridge cleaning kits you can use.
Learn more below, including the signs your ink cartridge may be past unclogging. We’ll also introduce you to our toner reverse logistics, which allows you to convert excess printer ink and toner cartridges into cash. You could earn up to $350 for any unused, unopened OEM cartridge from a variety of brands, and it takes just a few clicks!
Is My Printer Out of Ink or Clogged?
First, let’s make sure what you’re dealing with is actually a clogged printer ink cartridge. After all, there are other potential culprits behind a printer not functioning as it’s intended.
If you don’t already know how to tell if an ink cartridge is empty, we suggest starting there and making sure there is in fact ink still in the cartridge.
Most modern units have a built-in utility so you can monitor the ink levels directly from your computer. This feature can usually be accessed through the printer’s software interface or control panel.
Should everything look good there, and the printer is running its cycle but not printing properly, it’s probably a clog. Here are a few of the telltale signs what you’re struggling with is a clogged printer ink cartridge:
- Streaky Prints: Horizontal lines across the page where ink should have been applied.
- Missing Colors: Entire sections of color, especially in multicolored prints, not appearing.
- Faded Text: Text that is lighter than usual or incomplete.
Before going any further, take a brief moment to run a test print or nozzle check through the unit’s maintenance menu. This helps you identify which colors or nozzles are not functioning properly. If the test print shows missing lines or gaps, it’s a strong indication that the cartridge is clogged and needs cleaning.
Common Causes of Printer Ink Clogs
So your printer ink cartridge is clogged – it’s frustrating, no doubt about it. However, we’ll show you how to unclog printer ink in just a moment. Let’s quickly go over some of the common causes, first.
Infrequent Use
Leaving your printer sitting unused for long periods of time puts it at risk of ink clogs. This is the result of the ink drying within your printer, which causes the ink to solidify and block the tiny nozzles through which the ink is dispensed.
The result is poor print quality, with streaks, gaps, or missing colors appearing on the page. However, this can be avoided by running a small print job weekly – even if it’s just a test page.
Environmental Factors
High temperatures can cause ink to thicken or evaporate, while low humidity can accelerate the drying process, leading to clogs.
Conversely, high humidity can cause ink to spread unevenly. Dust and debris that settle on the printer can also contaminate the ink, leading to blockages in the nozzles.
This is to say that the conditions in which you store your printer matter. Keep it away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive humidity.
Low-Quality or Expired Ink
Low-quality or counterfeit ink cartridges often lack the proper formulation, which can lead to inconsistent flow and clogs.
Similarly, using expired ink cartridges can cause the ink to thicken or separate, making it more likely to block the nozzles. Always use high-quality, brand-compatible ink cartridges, and check the expiration date before installing them in your printer.
Just as with the printer itself, proper storage of ink cartridges, such as keeping cartridges sealed in their original packaging and in a cool, dry place, can help prolong their usability.
How to Unclog Printer Ink Cartridge: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you’re aware of what causes clogged printer ink cartridges let’s get into what you can do to get them working once again. Here are a few solutions you can try if you’re wondering how to clean clogged printer ink cartridge.
Automated Printer Cleaning Cycles
Your printer may come with built-in cleaning functions designed to clear minor clogs in the ink nozzles. This has become more and more commonplace with modern printers. Try this first:
- Access the Cleaning Cycle: Navigate to your printer’s maintenance or settings menu, either through the printer’s control panel or the software on your computer.
- Run the Cleaning Cycle: Select the cleaning or deep cleaning option. The printer will attempt to push ink through the nozzles to dislodge any clogs.
- Test the Print Quality: After the cleaning cycle, print a test page to see if the issue is resolved. If necessary, repeat the cleaning cycle a couple of times, but be aware that each cycle uses a small amount of ink.
Manual Cleaning with a Damp Cloth
If the automatic cleaning cycle didn’t prove effective, there is another option you can try for clogged printer ink cartridges. Turn the printer off and carefully remove the ink cartridge causing the issue.
Then, slightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Don’t use tap water, as it may contain minerals that can damage the cartridge.
Gently wipe the print head (the area where the ink is dispensed) to remove any dried ink or debris. Avoid touching other parts of the cartridge which could cause damage.
After letting the cartridge dry completely you can reinstall it and see if it’s unclogged not. We have tips on how to put ink in printer if necessary.
Soaking the Cartridge
Maybe the manual scrubbing didn’t solve the issue – don’t sweat it. We’ve seen even the most clogged printer ink cartridges come clean after a nice long soak.
Fill a shallow dish with warm (not hot) distilled water or a mixture of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol. Place the cartridge print head down into the solution, ensuring only the print head is submerged. Let it soak for 15-30 minutes.
Remove the cartridge from the solution and gently blot the print head with a lint-free cloth. Allow it to air dry completely before reinstalling it in the printer. Run another test print and see if you’ve solved the problem.
Using a Cleaning Kit
The options we’ve discussed thus far are considered DIY solutions for how to unclog printer ink cartridges. But if they are falling short, you can invest in a specialized cleaning kit for your printer.
Each cleaning kit will come with specific instructions. These kits typically include a cleaning solution and a syringe to push the solution through the cartridge nozzles.
Carefully inject the cleaning solution into the clogged nozzles in accordance with the kit’s instructions. Then, you can flush the cartridge with distilled water and let it dry thoroughly before reinstalling.
When it May Be Time to Simply Replace the Cartridge
Hopefully one of these strategies for unclogging a printer ink cartridge help you solve the issue that’s giving you grief – but if not, it may be time to cut your losses and simply replace the cartridge.
If the cartridge is old or has been refilled multiple times, it may simply be at the end of its life. Replacing it with a new one can restore print quality and prevent further issues.
Just be sure to dispose of it through a recycling program to minimize environmental impact. We have tips on where to recycle printer toner – the same advice will apply to traditional printer ink.
Tips on Preventing Clogged Printer Ink Cartridges Going Forward
Knowing how to unclog printer ink cartridges now, we want to leave you with a few tips on how to prevent the issue going forward. With an understanding of what causes clogged printer ink cartridges, it’s fairly simple.
Regular Printer Maintenance
Remember how we mentioned you can use your printer’s automated cleaning cycle to address clogs? You should be using this feature regularly as a preventative measure! It will do wonders to prevent clogs.
Similarly, we suggest printing a test page once a week. This simple action keeps the ink moving through the nozzles, reducing the chance of it drying out and causing clogs.
Regularly clean the interior of your printer with a soft, dry cloth to prevent particles from interfering with the ink flow. We have more tips on how to clean toner cartridge rollers in our blog.
Proper Storage and Usage
As we touched on earlier, proper storage and use of your printer and its cartridges go a long way in reducing the occurrence of printer ink clogs.
Keep any unopened cartridges in an upright position in a cool, dry environment. Avoid places with extreme temperatures or high humidity, as these conditions can cause the ink to thicken or dry out.
If you have a ton of excess and don’t know what to do with unused printer ink cartridges before they expire, you’re in luck. You can learn how to sell toner cartridges and all the different types of printer ink here at Sell Toner!
We pay top dollar for unopened, unused cartridges for all name brands from Brother to Canon, Epson, HP, and many more. You can earn up to $350 per cartridge and it takes just a few clicks – we have the easiest process in the industry!
The other option to clear out excess is learning how to donate unused printer ink cartridges, but given the ink cartridge cost, you should at least try to recoup your initial investment through our program. Learn more about how it works today.
Now, back to preventing printer ink clogs. Cover your printer with a dust cover when not in use to protect it from environmental factors that could contribute to clogs.
Using High-Quality Ink
We know that using the cheapest ink can be tempting given the cost these days, but remember that you get what you pay for in the end.
We suggest using only high-quality OEM ink in your printer as it’s far less likely to cause clogs than third-party compatibles or remanufactured cartridges.
In the same vein, it’s a good idea to stay informed about expiration dates on your printer ink and avoid using it past its expiration date. Again, we know you want to get the best bang for your buck and figure out how to make printer ink last longer, but you could end up doing more harm than good.
You can find more resources in our blog on topics like how to fix dry ink cartridge, how to reset ink cartridge, how to change ink in HP printer, how to change the ink on an Epson printer, how to change ink on Canon printer, what type of printer uses toner, ink vs toner, and more.
Parting Thoughts on How to Clean a Clogged Printer Ink Cartridge
We know the frustration of dealing with clogged printer ink cartridges all too well, but hopefully, this guide on how to clean a clogged printer ink cartridge gets your printing process back running smoothly.
But, knowing how to unclog printer ink isn’t even necessary if you take our advice on preventing ink clogs going forward. Run automated cleaning cycles and test prints regularly to keep your unit in tip-top shape.
At this point, the only thing left to do is put our insights to the test – or better yet, sell printer ink if you have any cartridges cluttering your storage space. Turn your surplus into cash today at Sell Toner and see for yourself what keeps our sellers coming back time and time again!
