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It’s a bustling day at your office, and you’re gearing up to print those essential documents for the big meeting. But alas, your printer cartridge ink has run dry yet again! Frustrating, right? If you’ve ever wondered why your office printer cartridge ink dries out so quickly, you’re not alone. In this quick troubleshooting guide, we’ll unravel this ink mystery and equip you with the knowledge and solutions you need to keep your office printers running smoothly.
Culprit #1: Cartridge Page Yield
Have you ever purchased an ink cartridge only to find it runs out faster than expected? One reason your printer cartridge ink seems to vanish in the blink of an eye could be the cartridge’s page yield. Page yield refers to the estimated number of pages a cartridge can print based on a standard set of conditions.
Here’s the tricky part: page yield is usually based on five per cent coverage. Think of that coverage like printing a short paragraph or email on one page. So, if your ink cartridge has a yield of 480, that means you can print all 480 pages but only with snappy emails or two-paragraph essays per page before the printer ink dries out.
What if you often print full-page documents? That’s the problem: the given page yield number may not align with your real-world printing needs. If you frequently print high-density documents, such as images or graphics, your cartridge may deplete more rapidly.
The Solution: So, how to fix dried-out printer ink? One way is to buy high-yield cartridges, which offer a greater page yield. This can meet your day-to-day printing demands while significantly extending the life of your ink cartridge, reducing how often you need to replace it.
Culprit #2: Type of Documents Often Printed
The type of documents you frequently print matters. Of course, office documents with heavy graphics or photos consume more ink than plain text documents. Also, if you often print black text, your black cartridge will naturally run out more quickly than your colour cartridges. But keep in mind that some printers pull a bit of ink from the colour cartridges whenever you’re printing merely in black. Why? It is to keep the colour cartridges primed for future use. So, don’t be surprised if your colour cartridges dry out eventually, even if your office staff or shop solely prints in black.
The Solution: While you can’t choose the type of documents you have to print, you can adjust your printer settings to draft or eco-mode when printing less critical documents. Save the high-quality settings for presentations or documents that require it. This simple adjustment can substantially reduce ink consumption over time.
Culprit #3: Office Printer Settings
Are your office printer ink cartridges drying out so quickly? Have you already ruled out the type of documents and page yield number as culprits? It’s time to pay attention to the printer settings. Using the wrong paper type or print quality settings can lead to excessive ink consumption. For instance, when you use settings that don’t match the paper type, such as selecting photo paper but printing on plain paper, the printer may use more ink than necessary. Similarly, high-quality print settings consume more ink.
The Solution: Ensure your printer settings match the paper type you’re using. Additionally, opt for draft or grayscale settings for internal office documents to conserve ink. These adjustments not only save ink but also reduce printing costs.
Culprit #4: Ink Cartridges That Have Been Sitting Idle
Ink cartridges can dry out if they’ve been sitting unused for an extended period. The ink inside can dry out or thicken, causing blockages and rendering the cartridge unusable. This is especially true for inkjet printers that use liquid ink. So, if your inkjet printer ink dries out, ask yourself: when was the last time you used it?
The Solution: Regularly print a test page or use the printer’s self-cleaning function to keep the ink flowing. If your office printer won’t be in use for a while, consider removing and storing the cartridges properly. This involves sealing them in an airtight bag and storing them in a cool, dry place.
Culprit #5: Running Multiple Printer Cleanings in a Row
As mentioned, running your printer’s self-cleaning function can help keep the ink flowing and maintain good print quality. However, as with anything in life, too much of something can be bad! Running multiple cleaning cycles in quick succession can lead to excessive ink usage, depleting ink cartridges quickly. That’s because each cleaning cycle involves the printer expelling small amounts of ink to clear clogs or maintain nozzle functionality.
The Solution: Avoid running multiple cleaning cycles in succession. Instead, let the printer sit for a while between cleaning cycles to conserve ink. If you’re experiencing frequent clogs, you should address the underlying issue rather than repeatedly running cleaning cycles. In such cases, it’s best to hire professional printer servicing.
If All Else Fails, Call Printer Repair Centre
Printer cartridge ink drying out too quickly can be a frustrating setback in your day-to-day operations. We hope our tips and quick fixes can help make a significant difference in your business’s ink consumption and printing costs.
However, if you find yourself grappling with persistent ink-related issues or your printer needs expert attention, remember that our company, Printer Repair Centre, is just a call away. We provide same-day printer repairs in Sydney, catering to all major printer brands and models. Our team also offers a range of printer maintenance services to keep minor issues from turning into costly printer repairs and replacements.
Whether you’re facing ink mysteries or any other printer-related challenges, we’re here to lend a hand. Contact us today for reliable printer servicing solutions that keep your business moving forward.
