Hi Bell,
This is a common problem with all Dell, Lexmark and the newer (last 4-5 years) HP inkjet cartridges. This happens because these are foam (sponge) filled inkjet cartridges with an attached printhead. When the ink flow is interrupted (by low ink) or when you are completely out of ink, these specific inkjet cartridges are more difficult to get printing after refilling. Here's two things to keep in mind when refilling these inkjet cartridges:
1.) Refill as soon as you get a low ink warning or no later than five pages afterward. Do not wait until you have light print.
2.) Good ink formulations (some kits are truly better than others)
If you have filled your inkjet cartridge and not getting the necessary print, please make sure that you have enough ink in the inkjet cartridge. Also, make sure that you have not plugged the Dell cartridge. Simply replace the Dell label back on top of the inkjet cartridge (leaving fill-hole open) and this will work the best. If your Dell label will not stick, it is okay to use scotch tape but no plugs. Make sure you leave the fill-hole completely open. Otherwise, it may create a vacuum and you will get no print or interrupted print.
Always let your inkjet cartridge sit for 20 minutes after refilling. I suggest putting the inkjet cartridge on a dry paper. Sit the cartridge on the dry paper towel with the printhead down but do not let the printhead touch the dry paper towel (you will need to slight tilt the cartridge slightly so the printhead is not touching the paper towel). Letting the inkjet cartridge sit will allow for the ink to saturate the foam (sponge) inside the cartridge and give time for any air bubbles to dissipate.
One of the printers I have is a Dell A940 (not my favorite but the scanners on these are great). I've had this printer for about 3 years and have only purchased two sets of inkjet cartidges. When I any difficulty with print quality (light print), I change the print type to "best" or "photograph, and then best". If your printer thinks it is printing a photograph, it works harder to pull the ink out of the cartridge.
PRIMING:
If you are getting light print, skipped print or no print, you may want to prime the cartridge. I suggest folding up a paper towel into a small square and saturating it with water. Take your refilled cartridge and lightly press the printhead against the wet paper towel. Within a 15 seconds to a minute, you should see ink coming out of the cartridge. When the ink comes out of the cartridge, gently blot the printhead with a dry paper towel. Make sure the cartridge is not leaking or forming a drip and then place it in your printer. Run a short print test.
In some cases or in the event you don't have a printhead cleaner in your ink refill kit, I recommend soaking the printhead. Take an old cup and saucer (flat plate). Pour equal parts of white vinegar and water in the cup (you want enough of this solution to cover the flat saucer (flat plate).) Then heat the water and vinegar in the microwave in the cup. Make sure it is heated hot but not scalding hot. (No hotter than coffee you would drink.) Then pour out the solution onto the flat saucer (small flat plate). Take your black or color cartridge and sit it upright with the printhead sitting in the warm solution. It may leak a little ink slightly. This is okay. Let it sit no more than 20 minutes. Remove the cartridge and lightly blot the printhead.Wad up a dry paper towel and sit the cartridge on the dry paper towel at a slight angle. You want the printhead to face down toward the dry paper towel (almost touching it) but you do not want it to touch the paper towel. The reason for this is because if the cartridge is sitting in fluid of any kind (ink included), it will continue to leak. The reason for soaking the printhead is to clean it and also to pull the ink through the foam. Let the cartridge sit for at least 20 minutes before putting it back in the printer. Never put dripping or leaking cartridge in your printer.
Also, keep in mind that the printhead nozzles on these inkjet cartridges can burn up if the cartridge tries to print without in (keep in mind that the constant ink flow cools these nozzles during print), If this happens, then the cartridge is permanently disabled. That's another good reason why is recommended that you refill just as soon as you get that low ink warning.
You always want to start your ink fill with quality ink refill system. There is a kit on the market that has about 8 refill stations in it and includes three times of ink (dye, pigment and photo). You have probably seen it on the internet or on tv and it is the one I currently use. Refill stations are handy because once you put the cartridge down in the refill station, everything is lined up for you and you are able to drill/fill the cartridge without wondering where to drill or drilling in the wrong area.
I hope these suggestions have been helpful to you. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to post.
Sebring
Last edited by Sebring7; Nov 16th, 2006 at 3:52 pm. Reason: spelling error
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