Printer (or ink?) problem

bigpat

Hi

I have a Brother inkjet printer (this one) about three years old and I always buy "compatible" (cheap!) catridges online and I've never had a problem with them. I bought 4 black ones about six months ago and they're good up to March 2012. My son recently changed one and because they're a slightly different brand than last time he changed one, he didn't notice that as well as the plastic cap, there was also a peel-off seal. So the cartridge was installed with this still on.

We attemped perhaps a dozen prints - totally blank - beforer I discovered this, peeled off the seal and tried again. No joy. Still utterly blank. My question is: has the print head been damaged or is the ink likely to be at fault?

The other colours, from the same supplier on eBay are fine, but I have now tried three black catridges to no avail. I'm tempted to buy one "proper" Brother black ink, but they're WAY more expensive! Further question: if I swap the blue into the black slot, that might tell me whether the print head is working. BUT - would that screw up my black for evermore, like mixing paint? Or do you think the cleaning function would cope with that?

By the way, I have run the cleaning function two or three times, but that's made no difference either. I'm in a bit of a quandary as to what to do next. Help!!

OneADay

Sounds like the cartridge. Have you given it a good shake before sticking it in - has it got ink in it - or just dried up ink?

santer_2

Try switching it off and removing the power lead for about five minutes.

Does it say to install ink if you use printer preferences to try the test page?

If it attempts to print then set it to best photo and print the darkest thing you have

If like most printers it runs through a routine whenever it is switched on, switch it off and then on a minute or so later, do that every half an hour

Could be an air lock

bigpat

Thanks for replies so far.

Yes I've shaken each cartridge I've tried and they definitely sound like they have liquid ink in them. (In fact one of them dropped a few drops on my hands and it took forever to wash it off!) So I don't think the ink is dried up.

The printer has been switched off and on several times. It's been a few days now and PC/printer/modem etc are all switched off during the day and overnight, as they're only used for a few hours in the evening.

Why do that every half-hour? Are you thinking that might clear an air-lock? I'll give that a go when I get home tonight.

Any advice on whether swapping blue and black around is a good idea?

Thanks,

Rockyman

Sounds like the cartridge. Have you given it a good shake before sticking it in - has it got ink in it - or just dried up ink? I have printer problem tell me the solution how i can overcome from this?

johnmc

Check that you haven't blocked the hole with tape.

When you turn the printer on it goes through a purge cycle, pulling a small amount of ink from each cartridge and depositting it in a tank inside the printer (usually filled with felt to absorb the ink).

Turning on and off isn't necessary as there will be an option in the software to do this. Even repeatedly running the "load new cartridge" option will purge through.

Try opening Paint and 1/2 fill a page with black. Print it on the highest possible setting.

If you can't get it to work then don't mess about buying more cartridges, buy a new printer. I'd recommend an Epson. Argos, Asda and Tesco are all selling at very good prices at the moment and compatibles are cheap.