|
Problem
|
|
Solution
|
| Not Printing |
Was the seal tape removed? |
Remove seal from cartridge by pealing back slowly. |
| |
Is it the correct cartridge for your printer model? |
Check the printer and manual to insure the cartridge is the
correct model for your printer |
| Streaking or White lines in print |
Has a printhead alignment utility been performed? |
Perform printhead alignment utility according to printer
operations manual. |
| |
Has a printhead clean cycle been performed? |
Perform printhead clean cycle utility according to printer
operations manual at least 3 times |
| Leaking Ink |
Is ink visible in the bag where the cartridge is sealed? |
If yes, return product for exchange |
| |
Do you see drops of ink on the paper? |
Insure the printer is set properly for the type of media that is
being used. Thicker media may scrape the print cartage
causing what looks like ink drops or pooling . Use the lever
arm on the printer to increase the width of the palten to allow
for thicker paper |
| Poor Print Quality |
Significant wicking or bleeding of text or colors? |
Insure the proper print mode is chosen in the printer
software. Also insure theh paper had not been subjected to
moisture and extreme humidity |
| Cartridge not recognized |
Was the printhead seal tape removed? |
Remove the protective tape from the printhead and circuitry. |
| |
Is it the correct cartridge for your printer model? |
Check the printer and manual to insure the cartridge is the
correct model for your printer. |
| Cartridge will not fit into printer |
Was the transportation clip removed? |
Remove transportation clip and or print head seal tape and
install into printer |
| |
Is the cartridge in the correct position for installation? |
Insure the circuitry is installed into the printer, away from the
operator. The label of the cartridge will be facing the operator |
| Streaky Printing |
Is your printer starting to produce pages full of odd lines or streaks of color? |
Check if the printer's heads are out of alignment. You can usually recalibrate the heads using the alignment tool
in your printer software's utility section. This involves printing a pattern of lines on normal office paper and choosing
which pattern looks best. |
| |
Are the streaks of ink appearing along the length of the page or on the edges? |
The rollers or other parts of the transport
system in your printer may have picked up some ink. Your printer's manual should include cleaning instructions, but
if you can't find them, gently wipe surfaces that appear to have ink on them with a dry lint free cloth and see if this
improves the next copy. Never use solvents or sprays, which can damage the printer, and try not to
touch the ink cartridge. |
| Missing Color |
Are there missing colors or do the colors just not look right? |
Clogged printer heads can sometimes produce a similar effect to misalignment. But other symptoms
include prints that are missing a color (giving them a patchy appearance) or that just don't look right (for example,
blues where there should be purples). Most printer software has a head-cleaning tool in its utility section. However,
because this uses a substantial amount of ink — shortening the life of your expensive ink cartridge — it’s best not to
use it without due cause.
Activating this process is usually just a matter of clicking a 'clean heads' button in the software and waiting. In addition, many printers also have a manual system, where you have to press buttons on the printer itself in a given order. |
| Printer Pattern |
|
One or more colors may have run out in the color ink cartridge. If your printer has separate cartridges for each
color, just replace the empty ones, otherwise you'll have to replace the entire cartridge.
Your printer has faulty heads. In some cases, where the heads are included in the cartridge, the solution is as
simple as installing a new ink cartridge. However, some printers may need to be returned to the manufacturer to
have the heads replaced, which can be pricey — you may be better off buying a new printer. |
