Printer ink dried up - solution pls?

cobbingstones

Hi

My printer has not been used in over 8 months and the ink is dry. Any ideas how to get it working again?

TIA


MM

BillScarab

what printer would be a help!

Some printers have the printheads in the cartridge so just replacing the cartridges works. Some have them in the printer so you need to clean them, printers usually have a cleaning cycle you can run. Try that first. On my old Epson which used to do this regularly I used to use Windolene to clean the heads as it contans ammonia which apprently dissolves the ink.

djheath

You could try a cotton bud dipped in nail varnish remover, but to be honest I have yet to find a method that works well apart from buying a new cartridge.

cobbingstones

sorry I've a thickie! I mean't the colour cartridges which I expect is the problem rather than the printer. (well I hope so due to them being full) Epson photo R340

many thanks


MM

BillScarab

well I've just read a review where it suggests the print heads ar built into the printer.

"Efficiency-wise, the R340 has the same failings as all of the printers here with permanent print heads. These require more TLC: print heads that are integrated onto cartridges will only need to do a couple of hundred prints before they're replaced along with fresh ink. Meanwhile, the Epson R340's will need to do a few thousand over the course of its life and it certainly isn't something you'll be able to replace yourself."

So it looks like you'll have to take the cartridges out and then get the windolene and cotton buds out.

If you do get it printing again make sure you print at least once a week to try and keep the heads clear.

aardvarkuk

Buy new ones.

cobbingstones

BillScarab wrote: »

well I've just read a review where it suggests the print heads ar built into the printer.

"Efficiency-wise, the R340 has the same failings as all of the printers here with permanent print heads. These require more TLC: print heads that are integrated onto cartridges will only need to do a couple of hundred prints before they're replaced along with fresh ink. Meanwhile, the Epson R340's will need to do a few thousand over the course of its life and it certainly isn't something you'll be able to replace yourself."

So it looks like you'll have to take the cartridges out and then get the windolene and cotton buds out.

If you do get it printing again make sure you print at least once a week to try and keep the heads clear.

Thanks for looking that up for me. Appreciated.
I knew the windowlene would come in handy one day

amonra

Consider a new printer, the cost of new cartridges sometimes exceeds the cost of a printer on "special offer". My daughter recently bought a cheapie in Tesco rather than buy carts.

prost

see
http://www.inkcartxpress.co.uk/inf/Help-and-Information/types-of-printer/about-inkjet-and-laser-printers/more-about-inkjet-printers/Looking-after-your-inkjet.html
&
http://www.cix.co.uk/~davedorn/computing/printers/lookafter.htm
on printer care.

evilgoose

As I recall the colour of the plastic used in Epson carts prevent you from seeing the contents.

There could be a chance that the nozzles have become dry and clogged but there is still ink in the cart. Epson carts do not have the head on them so its more difficult to manually clean the head off (you can with a hp cart using some alcohol based solvent + hp carts are clear plastic so you can see if the contents are ok or not).

I'd suggest running several passes of the the head cleaning util which should be either a button on the printer or through the printer software/driver.

As suggested and if you can get access to the heads you could try gentally cleaning them with a cotton bud moistened in an alcohol cleaner - though waster may work.

I dont think you can get access to the head by removing the cart - that just gives access to the 'ink feed' from the cart to the head - that should be fairly air tight so should dry out - unless left a VERY long time.

If you - i think its on the 340 - ccart change button the caddy should move out into the centre of the printer - this should give you better access to the print heads which sit more or less underneath the carts on the caddy (dirrectly above the paper). - its quite difficult to explain!