Four dried printer cartridges close up

No one likes to find out that their printer cartridges have dried out because this would mean that money has been wasted. And you know that printer inks are very expensive. If you want to know the five most common causes of dry ink printer cartridges, and the ways to correct them, read on to find out more!

Lack of Use

The most common cause of dry ink printer cartridges is the lack of use. Ink can dry up in months. Sometimes, the printer is seldom used, and when someone wants to use it, the ink is already dried up. To correct this problem, you can print a few documents with the printer on a weekly basis so that the ink can continue to be used. Secondly, do not replace ink cartridges in printers that are seldom used, or else you will waste a lot of money.

Improper Storage Methods

The right way to store cartridges is to make them stand up straight. This allows the ink to drip to the bottom of the cartridge. If the ink cartridge is stored on its side, the ink can collect at the top. This makes it easy for the ink to dry out, leading to spotty ink prints during printing.

Uncleaned Cartridge Heads

Another cause of dry-outs is when the cartridge heads are left uncleaned. Now, many printers do have automated cleaning functions. However, older printing models do not. For those who are using older models, the print head should be submerged in warm water. You should then use a towel to rub the dried ink off the print head. Make sure that you are wearing protective gloves while doing so. Once you are done cleaning, you need to dry them before placing them back into the printer.

Temperatures that are Extremely Hot or Cold

The printer inks can be dried out if the temperature is extremely hot or cold. This is especially the case for ink cartridges that have not been used frequently. It is important that your office is at around 68 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Improper Cartridge Refill

Refilling your own cartridge may seem like a cost-effective alternative to buying new cartridges. However, if you are a cartridge refilling expert, you would know that ink refilling is a very intricate process. If there are air pockets, this can cause dry-outs.  There are many other ways to save money. For example, purchasing new ink at an affordable price is one way. And you can also buy remanufactured ink cartridges. These have a risk of dry-outs, but they can help you to save money.

If you are looking for high quality ink cartridges that are sold at an affordable price, browse through OEM Connect today! These ink cartridges are bought at a low price and sold at a price below the market value. These ink cartridges also come from different brands including big names such as Canon, Panasonic, and Epson. As they are stored in an airconditioned facility, they have a longer lifespan, and are less prone to drying out. Contact OEM Connect to find out more.