Blocked print head in ink jet - help

[DSLiverpool]

I need to print off a form in black and the head is just blocked up, I cannot do dark blue as its a pdf - any ideas how to unblock the head - I have used the cleaning program over 6 times it makes no difference

Cheers

[2fast748]

I've found running the cartridge under warm water effective in the past.

[DSLiverpool]

2fast748 said:

I've found running the cartridge under warm water effective in the past.

Cheers but I have changed the cart twice as well ( its a new cart each time

[marshalla]

Which make of printer ?

[DSLiverpool]

marshalla said:

Which make of printer ?

Kodak home printer - doesnt get used much !!

[marshalla]

IIRC Kodak don't have print heads in the cartridges. Try removing the cartridges and swabbing the heads with a cotton bud dipped in alcohol. That might soften the dried ink enough to get it going again. There should be some instructions for removing the print head somewhere online as it's a replaceable component.

[DSLiverpool]

marshalla said:

IIRC Kodak don't have print heads in the cartridges. Try removing the cartridges and swabbing the heads with a cotton bud dipped in alcohol. That might soften the dried ink enough to get it going again. There should be some instructions for removing the print head somewhere online as it's a replaceable component.

Will do ta - appreciated

[tricky1962]

If you can get hold of it, the best thing to clean printheads with is a dilute ammonia solution eg. 3:1 water to ammonia. A gentle wipe with this solution on a tissue should be all that's needed.

You might have to find an old fashioned ironmongers to buy some though :-)

[castex]

I ran the print head itself under hot water and this worked.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I have a similar problem with my HP C3180. It's just the yellow that doesn't print, meaning that greens come out as blue, and yellow doesn't come out at all.

I've tried removing the colour cartridge a swabbing it with warm water, and I've also tried contact cleaner. Neither solves the problem.

Just occasionally it'll work correctly for about half a page before the yellow cuts out again.

Any thoughts?

[marshalla]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

I have a similar problem with my HP C3180. It's just the yellow that doesn't print, meaning that greens come out as blue, and yellow doesn't come out at all.

I've tried removing the colour cartridge a swabbing it with warm water, and I've also tried contact cleaner. Neither solves the problem.

Just occasionally it'll work correctly for about half a page before the yellow cuts out again.

Any thoughts?

How about a fresh cartridge ?

Or - have you checked for signs of oxidation on the contact pad on the cartridge you're using or the printer itself? It could be a bad electrical connection.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Yes, I may have to try another new cartridge, although this one is only a few weeks old and has been doing it almost since it was installed. I have tried contact cleaner on the contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer. Maybe it's a faulty cartridge.

Am I right in thinking that HP printers have the nozzles in the cartridge and therefore get disposed of with the cartridge?

[marshalla]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Yes, I may have to try another new cartridge, although this one is only a few weeks old and has been doing it almost since it was installed. I have tried contact cleaner on the contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer. Maybe it's a faulty cartridge.

Am I right in thinking that HP printers have the nozzles in the cartridge and therefore get disposed of with the cartridge?

I believe most of them do, yes.

If it happens with another cartridge, there may be a fault in the ribbon cable which connects the print carriage to the main board.

[tricky1962]

This video suggests that yes, the printheads are on the cartridges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMxJ_7-3T8U

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Replaced the expensive, genuine cartridge with a cheapo remanufactured one, and now it's working perfectly. Must have been a faulty cartridge. What a pisser!