Is there any way I can "Fix?" Epson DX4850 Magenta cartridge not working?

OnAndUp

I have an Epson DX4850 all in one printer it used to print ok and the cartridges are dirt cheap!

Unfortunately - probably because it doesn't get used enough the magenta ink seem to have "blocked"? I have done all the usual things nozzle check, head cleaning but it makes no difference it can't be completely blocked because I do get one or two pink lines on the nozzle check pattern but I have cleaned it loads of times and never get all the lines like I do with the other colours.

Most of the time it doesn't make that much difference but on some things the colours come out really odd. Other than this everything works fine so I don't really want to rush out and buy a new one!

Is there any way I can fix this? When I googled it I came across some "cleaning cartridges" like these which I have never heard of before are they any good or are there any other ways of fixing it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compatible-Head-Cleaning-Clean-Cartridges-Epson-DX4850-/220732193970?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_Printing_PrinterInkCatridges_JN&hash=item3364a9fcb2

Like I say it's not used that often and I have always used compatible cartridges in it which may have contributed to it but even if they have damaged it I would still use them in a new printer because the overall saving is mahooossive!!

Thanks!

santer_2

I have a new printer thanks to a cleaning cartridge seeing off a printer.

Overnight, remove the cartridges, wipe the area where the cartridges are installed with baby wipes or similar, wrap the magenta part or all of them with a baby wipe and see how it is in the morning.

You can get bottles of cleaning fluid but I would try other things first and use cleaning fluid sparingly if you need to use it

When you get it running, print a nozzle check every few days or so if you do not do any printing

Just to add

santer_2

Just to add, the wrapping with baby wipes is for the area where the cartridges are installed, no need to wrap the cartridges

Hope it goes well

Ink_Guru

Hi On and Up, looks like cleaning cartridges is the answer to your problem as the fluid in the cleaning cartridges breaks up the dried ink in the nozzles. Just a bit of info below, hope this helps.

1. Due to the dried ink residue inside inkjet printer nozzles, the flow of ink can be reduced or stopped completely resulting in poor print quality. 2. By using cleaning cartridges, the specially formulated cleaning fluid will break down the dried ink from inside the printhead nozzle. 3. Once the cleaning process has been completed, the printhead nozzle will be cleared of all blockages, ready to print again. 4. When the normal ink cartridges are replaced, the ink will once again be able to flow through the print nozzles and your printer will be restored.

src:https://www.internet-ink.co.uk/epson/t0615-cleaning-ink-cartridges

OnAndUp

Thanks Santer - I will definitely try your method.

That was also my worry that the head cleaners may do some damage to the printer, as other than the magenta it does work ok at the mo. I don't really want to spend £10+ to break the printer I would rather put it towards a new one!

ink-guru. That all looks / sounds great just what I need - are you sure you don't have a vested interest?!?

santer_2

Hopefully being wrapped in baby wipes or similar will fix it

This guy uses alcohol and glycol, scroll down after the first bit

June 2010
At last a product with just the right ingredients...
I've been sent details of another wonder inkjet cleaning product from Wizz in the UK.
Note the important glycol and alcohol - this is what used to make the original Sainsburys mix so good

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/inkjet_cleaning.html

Also note:

Remember, cleaning inkjet printers can cause them to never work again...

One important thing that people often forget when dealing with clogged inkjet printers is waiting. Sometimes no amount of cleaning cycles on your printer seem to work - after a few you are just wasting ink.
Put the cleaner in place, and leave it overnight.

June 2011 - In the UK 'Spic & Span' glass cleaner (from Veekay.co.uk) has all the ingredients of the original Sainsburys mix.

For a dried up head, you can also spray the cleaner onto the parking pads (where the head rests)

• Turn on printer - head moves across
• Pull power cord so the head is left 'unparked'
• Spray cleaner onto the parking pads
• Carefully soak up spray with kitchen roll
• Repeat if there was a lot of dried up ink on the pads
• Spray again - leave the pad soaked with the cleaner
• Turn printer on, let head return.
• Switch printer off with it's own power button
• Wait overnight :-)

" You can get cartridges full of cleaning solution but I prefer to get an old empty cartridge and add a few cc of isopropanol to it through the vent tube (this is a fiddly operation and needs a syringe). This cartridge now has very dilute ink/solvent in it. "