An amazing fix for Printers that don't print

[Ronshere]

I just was given an HP deskjet printer and when I tried to use it, it would only print in pink & black. (which was why it was given to me!) I assumed the color ink cartridge was old so I took it out and put in a new one that I was also given. It did the same thing!! I tried a couple more and they all did the same!!! Well, I was about to toss the printer but decided to do a Google and see if there might be some info on this.
What I found was amazing!!
it seems some unknown genius discovered that you can take the ink carts and submerge them in very hot water or 30 minutes- keep the water hot!!!, then hold them under the tap and flush the print heads for a few more minutes using only hot water.
This cleans out the clogged printer jets and revives the ink cartridge.
Then let the cart dry thoroughly before installing it in your printer. make a few test prints to flush out the watery ink from the printer heads until you are getting good prints. This can revive clogged Black ink carts as well.
apparently a lot of people have been buying cartridges and when they go to use them they have the same problem, whether they are brand new or even the generic replacement carts.
So give this a try before you toss yours!

 

[K Ma]

WOW! Thanks for the info - who would of thought? Ink carts are not cheap!

 

[spazntwitch]

I tell my clients to soak them overnight if they know they have remaining ink. It's tougher to tell with color cartridges. Soaking color cartridges, whether in hot water or overnight, can cause one color to leak into another color. You may not get the best photos after the soak, but it should be fine for most text prints.

 

[Ronshere]

From my limited experience so far I think what is happening is the initial hot soak helps to expand the air inside the carts and push the dried, clogged ink out of the print head. and being in hot water helps to soften the ink as well. The final rinse under the hot water faucet probably blasts away any residual dried ink.
I think you could have an ink dilution problem if you let the carts lay in the water and let the water cool. the air inside will contract and draw water into the cart through the print head. So keep the water hot during the process to keep the inside pressure greater than outside.
Oh I need to mention that you should NOT stand the carts on the print head on paper or cloth because of osmosis- the capillary action. ink will be drawn out of the cart. This can be very helpful for a brief period of time but if you just let it stand then you will be wasting ink.
And let them dry completley for a couple of hours so the electronic circuits will function correctly on the cart.

 

[morriefisher]

Lol.

Actually, you just soak them in almost boiling water for 5 minutes. Thats all that is needed. Just soak the part that needs cleaning, which is the bottom half inch usually.