Dry Ink Cartridges: What to Do, How to Avoid, How to Fix

Have you ever gone to print something important only to find that your ink cartridge has dried up? If so, you're not alone. Dry ink cartridges are a common issue, particularly for those who don't use their inkjet printers frequently. This guide will show you what to do when your ink cartridge dries out, how to avoid this problem in the future, and various methods to fix it. 

Ink cartridges dry out primarily due to infrequent use. When a cartridge sits idle in a printer for too long, the ink can begin to dry inside the nozzles, forming a blockage. This can lead to issues like streaks, missing colors, or no print at all. The nozzles of an inkjet cartridge are incredibly small—about half the width of a human hair—so it doesn't take much for them to become clogged. 

If you encounter a dried-out ink cartridge, there are several steps you can take to try and revive it. These methods work best for cartridges with built-in printheads, such as those used in many Hewlett Packard, Canon, Samsung, and Lexmark printers. 

1. Run a Printhead Cleaning Cycle

Most printers come with a built-in utility that allows you to clean the printhead automatically. This process forces ink through the nozzles to clear any blockages. However, this method uses a significant amount of ink, so it's not ideal if your cartridges are already running low.

2. Manual Cleaning

For a more hands-on approach, follow these steps: 

1. Prepare the Cartridge: Remove the cartridge from the printer and unplug the printer from the power source. Clean the electrical contacts inside the printer carriage with a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Do the same for the copper-colored electronic circuit strip on the cartridge. 
2. Soak the Printhead: Fill a saucer with hot water (not boiling) and place the printhead portion of the cartridge into the water. If the clog is severe, you can add a small amount of ammonia, soap, or bleach to the water. Let it soak for about two hours. 
3. Flush the Printhead: For particularly stubborn clogs, hold the printhead under a stream of hot water for a few minutes. If you have a tap with strong water pressure, use your finger to create back pressure, which will help force water through the nozzles. 
4. Dry and Reinstall: After soaking, dry the cartridge thoroughly with a paper towel. Be sure to also clean off any remaining moisture from the electrical contacts. Once dry, reinstall the cartridge into your printer and run a test print. 

3. Use Compressed Air or a Vacuum

If manual cleaning doesn’t work, you can try using compressed air or a vacuum to clear the blockage: 

1. Compressed Air: Carefully use compressed air to blow through the ventilation hole of the cartridge. Be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area or over paper towels, as ink may spray out. 
2. Vacuum Method: Cover the printhead with a damp cloth, then attach the hose of a vacuum to the print cartridge nozzles. Turn on the vacuum for just a few seconds at a time to draw ink through the nozzles. 

If you’ve already tried the basic methods without success, here are a few advanced techniques: 

• Warm Water Soak: Fill a bowl with warm (not boiling) water and place the cartridge so that only the printhead is submerged. Let it sit for 15 seconds to several minutes, depending on the severity of the clog. After soaking, gently slide the printhead across a damp paper towel to pull out the ink. 
• Advanced Cleaning Solutions: If the printhead is severely clogged, consider using a cleaning solution specifically designed for inkjet printers. These solutions can dissolve dried ink more effectively than water alone. 
• Syringe Method: For a more targeted approach, use a syringe or squeeze bottle to gently force distilled water or cleaning solution through the printhead. This method is particularly useful for clearing stubborn clogs. 
• Replace the Cartridge: Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a cartridge may be too far gone to revive. If none of the above methods work, it may be time to purchase a new cartridge. 

Preventing ink cartridges from drying out is key to maintaining your printer’s efficiency and saving on costly replacements. Here are some practical tips to help you keep your cartridges in good condition: 

1. Print Regularly: Use your printer at least once a week to keep the ink flowing and prevent it from drying in the nozzles. If you don’t have anything to print, run a test page to use all the colors. 
2. Store Cartridges Properly: If you need to store a cartridge outside the printer, place it in an airtight container with a damp cloth. This creates a humid environment that prevents the ink from drying out. Ensure the nozzle is facing up and that nothing touches it. 
3. Maintain Optimal Room Temperature: Keep your printer and ink cartridges in a room with a stable temperature around 68°F (20°C). Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or heat sources, as extreme temperatures can cause the ink to dry out faster. 
4. Turn Off the Printer Correctly: When not in use, turn off your printer properly by pressing the power button instead of unplugging it directly. This allows the printer to park the printhead in a position that minimizes exposure to air, reducing the risk of drying out. 
5. Avoid Long Periods of Inactivity: If you know you won’t be using your printer for an extended period, consider removing the cartridges and storing them properly. You can also disable any automatic firmware updates, which might cause issues with cartridge recognition after long periods of inactivity. 

For an individual or a home office, dry ink cartridges are a common issue -- but with the right techniques, you can often revive them and get back to printing. Regular maintenance and proper storage are key to preventing this problem in the first place.  

If you’re in a business environment, it may be time to look a little deeper.  

What are your policies for buying and storing ink cartridges? Are you buying too many inkjet cartridges? Are you storing them correctly? 

And you can even look farther: Maybe your business could use a laser printer, or laser printers throughout all your offices, instead. These can make you work faster and more efficiently.  

And consider reaching out to us for an audit of your printer needs and your print operation. Often, we find print operations that grew organically, and the result is a semi-chaotic assortment of different makes, models, and vendors. We can help you simplify and consolidate your printer fleet – and you might end up saving money on renewables, and on overall annual operational spend.  

Get in touch with us