Ink cartridges won't print. Help?

[*anj*]

We have an all in one copier/printer/fax that we keep upstairs. I haven't used it in ages...several months if not longer. I just went to make some copies and the pages come out blank. I took the cartridges out, shook them a little, the pages still "print" blank.

Our regular printer (the one that's connected to the computer) uses the same kind of cartridge. I just put the upstairs one into this printer and the pages came out blank as well. So it seems that the cartridges are the problem. Do they dry out over time? Is there any way to make them bounce back? According to my computer both cartridges are full of ink.

Thanks!

[Jen3boys]

I used to have this problem w/ a certain brand of printer...if I didn't print every week, the ink would get clogged or something and I kept buying new cartridges even though the old ones still had ink. Sometimes cleaning the cartridge w/rubbing alcohol on a q-tip (I think, I can't remember exactly) would help.

[*anj*]

I used to have this problem w/ a certain brand of printer...if I didn't print every week, the ink would get clogged or something and I kept buying new cartridges even though the old ones still had ink. Sometimes cleaning the cartridge w/rubbing alcohol on a q-tip (I think, I can't remember exactly) would help.

Was it HP?

[OnTheBrink]

Your computer is messing with you. The cartridges are empty. :lol:

Have you tried shaking the cartridges? Sometimes that helps.

[*anj*]

Your computer is messing with you. The cartridges are empty. :lol:

Have you tried shaking the cartridges? Sometimes that helps.

http://209.85.48.9/10222/92/emo/rollinglaughing.gif

Yes, I tried shaking them, but not very vigorously. I'll try that again. And now I'm off to google the idea of putting rubbing alcohol on ink cartridges. That might work!

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

I had this happen once, and my husband had a friend look at it who sucked on the end of the ink cartridge (YUCK!) and it worked. I am not kidding.

[*anj*]

I had this happen once, and my husband had a friend look at it who sucked on the end of the ink cartridge (YUCK!) and it worked. I am not kidding.

Ooooooooh...I don't know if I can do that. Actually I really don't think I can do that. Dh probably can though because he's a gross boy.

[Jen3boys]

Was it HP?

No, I think it was Epson. I have an HP now and it's doing just fine....for now.

[Sue G in PA]

This happened to me as well. Hadn't used the printer in months (if not a year or more)...cartridge must have dried out or clogged b/c it wouldn't print. I thought it was a problem w/ the printer, had dh take it to work to check it out and his computer guru guy told him the printer was fine but the cartridge must be dried out. It was a relatively new cart. too. Grr....Hope you can fix yours. If not...take it Walgreens for a refill. Color refills on sale this week for 50% off making it only 7.50 to refill! Yeah! Black is only $5 this week only. HTH

[*anj*]

This happened to me as well. Hadn't used the printer in months (if not a year or more)...cartridge must have dried out or clogged b/c it wouldn't print. I thought it was a problem w/ the printer, had dh take it to work to check it out and his computer guru guy told him the printer was fine but the cartridge must be dried out. It was a relatively new cart. too. Grr....Hope you can fix yours. If not...take it Walgreens for a refill. Color refills on sale this week for 50% off making it only 7.50 to refill! Yeah! Black is only $5 this week only. HTH

Okay. Thanks. Tomorrow I'll be seeing a friend who is giving me some cartridges that she no longer needs. If these work well I'll probably just use them and (sadly) toss the dried ones. We'll see. Or maybe I should just get the cheap refill while it's on sale because I'll need it eventually.
I did try cleaning the cartridge with warm water. I wiped it and then blew on it. Surprisingly a little drop of ink came to the surface. I wiped it away, so I wonder if it's totally dried out. Hmmmm...

[TraceyS/FL]

Find the HP application on your computer and run the "nozzle clean" type of cleaning on there. They are probably just plugged up and that sometimes helps!

[Brigitte]

Yes, they do dry out if not used regularly. Bummer, I know!