How Do I Undry an Ink Cartridge?
Ink is the most expensive part of an inkjet printing setup--sometimes, an ink cartridge is even more expensive than the printer it goes into. Yet inkjet-printer ink cartridges are prone to clogging and drying up if they aren't used regularly, making them unusable. Although most printers have built-in routines to clean inkjet-cartridge print heads, cleaning cycles often can't help dried-up cartridges. Fortunately, you may be able to save yourself money and frustration by undrying your cartridges overnight at home.
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Instructions
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1
Turn the cartridge upside-down and look at the print head. If it has copper plates, you can use only the warm-water method to undry the cartridge. If the cartridge does not have a copper head, you can attempt to unclog it with a commercial cleaning kit or buy a new cartridge. Do not try to unclog it with the warm-water method.
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2
Run warm, but not hot, water in your sink. Hold the ink cartridge upright under the warm water. The print head should be held down, in the same position as it was when installed in the printer.
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Dry the cartridge with a paper towel. Carefully pat the print head with the paper towel, holding the paper towel against the print head momentarily. If ink appears on the paper towel, the print cartridge is ready to be used. If not, repeat Step 2.
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Reinstall the print cartridge in the printer. Run your printer's print-head cleaning cycle, then test the cartridge by printing a short document. If the print output is streaked or appears faded, try holding the cartridge under water for another minute.
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Use your printer regularly to prevent the ink cartridge from drying up again.
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Tips & Warnings
This method only works for inkjet cartridges with copper print heads.
Never attempt to undry a laser-printer ink cartridge.
References
- Photo Credit paper feed image by Glenn Jenkinson from Fotolia.com
