When You Should Replace A Printer Ink Cartridge

2010-07-21

Most computer users don't spend a lot of time thinking about their printer's ink reserves. In fact, computer users usually don't even read their printers' manuals, which can be a mistake. Printers aren't always simple, and it can be difficult to even know when to perform basic maintenance without understanding how their components work. This is especially true when it comes to replacing a printer ink cartridge. If you replace cartridges too early, you'll run the risk of wasting ink, and this happens with much greater frequency than one would think. Before replacing your printer ink cartridge, it's important to make sure that you're not jumping the gun.

To replace cartridges at the right time, it's important to keep your printer well maintained and functional. It's particularly important to avoid clogs in your printer ink cartridges, which can trick you and your printer into thinking that ink reserves are low. When a printer's ink cartridge becomes clogged, it will often print in a very sketchy, thin-looking manner, similar to how it would print if the cartridge was completely out of ink.

Ink dries in the heads of the cartridge, preventing new ink from getting through, which is what causes this condition. However, there could still be plenty of ink in the cartridge. This often happens when a printer is used very infrequently. To avoid clogs, try printing at least once a week, even if you're printing a simple test page. If you think the heads of your printer ink cartridge are clogged, try setting it on a warm, wet paper towel for a few minutes, and then carefully reload it into your printer. There's a good chance that the problem will be fixed, and you will be able to print normally. However, if your printer has print heads that are built into the device rather than into each individual cartridge, you may need to have it repaired in order to print again.

Many modern printers come with software that informs a user when ink cartridges are getting low. Like the gas gauge in your car, these work through estimation, and they are programmed to warn you about ink shortages a while before the ink has actually run out. It's a good idea to keep some extra cartridges around, and wait until your print quality begins to fade before switching out a cartridge. This will help you to avoid wasting ink, and you'll get a high number of prints from each cartridge without endangering your printer. Think before you change cartridges in your printer, and you'll save money very quickly.