does anyone out there have any ideas for fixing printers?

 I recently purchased recycled (refilled) ink cartridges because they were cheaper and also because my local supermarket no longer stocks them. 

All was well for a while, then two days ago, the paper feed wasn't feeding properly. Instead of spitting out a printed sheet of whatever, it would advance the paper very slowly, about two centimeters at a time. 

I open up the front and discovered the coloured ink cartridge has been leaking:


see all the blue and yellow? The black cartridge seems to be fine. So here is my question: Is the leaked ink gumming up my paper feed and how the heck do I clean it? 

I can say with 100% certainty that I will never again purchase recycled cartridges. And I also don't wish to buy yet another printer. 

Comments

  1. Puxa, que pena isso,River!
    Eu não tenho a resposta pra tua pergunta! Mas torço que consigas tudo limpar e que a impressora funcione bem novamente!
    beijos, chica

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  2. Our previous printer died due to the recycled cartridges.
    Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. And old rags!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn Jilks; I did think of the rubbing alcohol, but how do I open it up enough to clean everywhere?

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  3. Replies
    1. Debra She Who Seeks; I am a techno idiot too.

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  4. Yes, you need to get all that ink out of there pronto, rags and like someone said, Q-tips. It's gumming up the works right now. Recycled cartridges are a no-no. You have no recourse when things go wrong.
    Deepest sympathy though.
    XO
    WWW

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    Replies
    1. Wisewebwoman; pronto? I've left it a week already, is it too late? I bought the ink online and did not know they were recycled until I opened the package.

      Delete
  5. I am totally lost at tech stuff these days. a few years ago, I was darn good. Now, it is a lost cause.

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    Replies
    1. Susan Kane; I was never good but learned a few things from "no-one" .

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  6. Sorry. I have a non-working printer of my own. It worked for a month. Then only sent out blank pages. The ink cartridges were legit, but according to Google they dried out from not enough use. I will never have another ink jet. My laser printer worked for many, many years, until I wore it out with my teacher homework.

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    Replies
    1. Val; I have an inkjet because that's what I can afford. I don't print enough to warrant the cost of a laser printer, mostly just copies of my Friday Stories.

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  7. R, If the ink isn't right the paper won't go through correctly or print. Never used recycled ink. Maybe you will have to save for a new printer!

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    Replies
    1. Margaret D; I've done what I can reach, without going out to buy longer cotton swabs and left it open to dry. Tomorrow I will buy the correct ink and try it again. If the correct ink is no longer available, then I don't know...

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  8. Even though the yellow ink is a pretty golden, I do not like it. But I second Jenn Jilks idea of rubbing alcohol and rags. I have used refilled cartridges for years, and never experienced anything like it.
    Run a cleaning program on the printer when done.

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    Replies
    1. Charlotte; I have never heard of a cleaning program, this is a simple Canon Pixma inkjet printer/photocopier and I can't get into the "bits" easily for cleaning.

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    2. Those printers being as closed as a stubborn oyster is tough when a paper jam happens. It must be even worse when the ink leaks.
      The instruction manual (may be found online) will tell you how to run a cleaning programme, but the first - tough - part is on you unfortunately.

      Delete
  9. I can't add to any of the above, but hope your tactics will work and the printer will behave properly again.

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    Replies
    1. jabblog; I gave up on tyring to get right in there and clean it all and ordered a new one, same model, same colour, so I don't have to stress about learning to operate a new model. It is an older type so relatively cheap.

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  10. I have no printer but wish you luck solving the problem. Yikes, I hate such tech-problems...

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    Replies
    1. Iris; ordered a new printer: problem solved, and I will NEVER buy those cheap recycled ink catridges again.

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  11. I'm a little late to this post but I know from past experience that recycled cartridges are definitely a no-no!
    Printers and printing ink is expensive!

    But back to your problem ... have you tried asking google? Sometimes if you ask the problem someone out there has also been through it and can give your tips ... in some cases people even put short videos up on YouTube and show you what to do.
    Keeping fingers crossed that you can get this fixed.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lowcarb team member; I did not know the cartridges were recycled until I read the fine print on them after opening the box which didn't have that information. I thought they'd be okay, but I learned my lesson. A new printer has been ordered.

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  12. I never know what to do when it comes to printer issues.
    I leave printer dramas to my hubby or the boys.

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    Replies
    1. Veronica Lee; I am not very good at problem solving tech stuff which is why I but the simplest possible equipment. Mostly I use the printer for making hard copies of my Friday stories and typing letters to my sister who needs them in large font to be able to read them.

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