How to Troubleshoot a Black Inkjet Cartridge

Inkjet cartridges are expensive. So when a problem arises it is a good idea to try fixing the problem yourself instead of buying a new cartridge. To avoid the problem of wasting ink while running tests, follow these steps to troubleshoot a black inkjet cartridge efficiently.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Printer manual
• Lint-free cloth
• Printer paper

1. Print a test page. You can find this on the drivers page for all printers. Open up the printer’s software or access it by clicking "Start," "Control Panel," then "Printers" by right clicking the icon of your printer and selecting properties. Look for a utilities section or a test page section.

2. Align the print heads. There should be an option for this in your utilities section as well. Refer to your manual if you are lost.

3. Clean the print heads. With a dry lint-free cloth, wipe down any surfaces you can reach that may have ink on them. Gently wipe down the rollers and other parts of the transport system. Determine what needs cleaning by examining your test page and seeing where the streaks line up.

4. Run a color test. Select this option from the printer’s test page under properties or utilities. Examine the page. You should see a full array of colors including cyan, magenta, yellow and black. If one is missing or faded, replace that cartridge.

5. Clean the heads. This should be a last resort, since it uses a lot of ink. Your utilities page in your printer’s driver software has an option to do this.

6. Clean the cartridge. If your cartridge doesn’t seem empty but is not putting out any ink, try wiping the bottom of it with a wet cloth or soaking it in some water.

Tips & Warnings

• Some printers have a self-test, meaning you can run the test without the aid of a computer. Check your manual for instructions on performing a self-test.
• Use come canned air or aerosol duster to dislodge any excess dust in the printer. This may solve the problem of splotchy printing.
• Visit the manufacturer’s website for additional technical support. Most companies offer tech support by email as well as a long list of FAQs and common solutions.
• If it looks like your cartridge has circuitry or metal connectors on it, do not get it wet.
• Never use solvents or harsh cleaners when wiping down your printer.
• Do not disassemble your printer when attempting to wipe it down.