How to keep inkjet cartridges from drying out when printer not used.

The only solutions I know to this problem are the one I provide here and to simply use your printer every few days or so. Since I don't have a need to use this printer frequently, I'm going with the solution in this video.
How to keep inkjet cartridges from drying out when printer not used.

[@VernSea0168]

I’m SOOOO GLAD I stumbled on this video you’re such a thinker, I never thought about that I had thought about a bag but know the ends would get touched that way, so your video has been so very nice and the comments as well about using a puppy pad those would keep much longer, so thank you again sweetheart much appreciated god bless

[@richdavis4007]

Glad it was helpful and I really appreciate you letting me know. Rich

[@VernSea0168]

@@richdavis4007 of course I had to give you credit for a job well done! So the appreciation is all mine 😂 and I noticed you try to reply to everyone so that says your dedicated to helping people!! 🥰🥰

[@DavidJohnson-dc8lu]

I would bet nothing gets passed you and you read the small print for everything. If I never came across this video I would never ever ever have known this. Cheers.

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks so much. Best wishes. Rich

[@embroideredheathen8825]

Thank you! I am such a muppet, my printer said "low ink cannot print in black" I obviously assumed it was the blank ink out... it was the other colours!!! Storing this one and hoping for the best!

[@richdavis4007]

I'm glad you got everything sorted out! Rich

[@erikl7563]

Great tip. Also, seeing that VHS/DVD player combo brings back good memories 😊

[@richdavis4007]

It's actually hooked into my TV/computer screen so I could use it. I'd forgotten all about it! Thanks, Erik. Rich

[@d.favelafavelinha3813]

Hi, please Could you help me regarding the video?

[@Trilogy1-1-1]

OMGosh ..... how easy is that?!! IF only I'd known before what it is that I now know today! Thank you so very much for sharing this very simple but yet SO incredibly informative video tip with us! I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am to have stumbled upon your video post today. Many thanks!

[@richdavis4007]

You are so welcome!😊😊

[@niaanezz]

WooHoo!!! Thank you very much, for sharing this information. I have been wasting so much money buying ink cartridges because they dry out.

[@richdavis4007]

I'm glad my video helped. Thanks for letting me know! Rich

[@niaanezz]

@@richdavis4007 You're more than welcome!

[@scarletfrancois3469]

You know I've tried this but without the damped cloth and my ink dried up,I'll try it again with damp cloth,Thanks

[@gauravpatel3220]

​@@scarletfrancois3469did you try????? Kindly tell me the result of you have time!!! Thanx

[@sulmedici]

Thank you sir for your service ... today I searched for this exact problem and this came first 👏👏

[@richdavis4007]

Happy to help!😊😊

[@loadi2865]

Thank you sir for your service

[@richdavis4007]

😊😊😊😊

[@Mid-LifeLoser]

Great Video and wonderful Tip👍 Thank you very much

[@richdavis4007]

I'm glad my video helped! Rich

[@f1fanatic80]

Thank you young man! Great tip

[@richdavis4007]

Glad I could help. Rich

[@colinuk4509]

This is a great tip I should and will use Rich. I never knew!

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks, Col. My cartridges are sitting in their little container on top of the printer waiting to leap into action if needed. I probably won't need for weeks. Rich

[@reallauradee]

I admit I don't often read instructions on manuals or on websites. Thank you so much for this video, I was concerned how much I would have to spend on buying new ones all the time they dried up.

[@richdavis4007]

My cartridges don't dry out anymore so I think this is good to know how to do. Thanks. Rich

[@silentnight2671]

Yeah but one has to really hunt for that info. You are mighty patient. ThanQ for sharing.

[@richdavis4007]

I'm so glad to have done this. I will only go back to color printing if I absolutely have to! Rich

[@silentnight2671]

@@richdavis4007 VMT Sir. Stay safe.

[@Rollotomassi099]

good stuff... my mobile printer carts were drying out fast sitting in my car... now i know why

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks, Brian. I'm glad my video helped! Rich

[@stevenmullens584]

This seems to be a good idea I am going to give it a try thank you for the video

[@richdavis4007]

I hope it works for you. Rich😊

[@michaelfenn3677]

Brilliant, thanks for sharing, very helpful 👍

[@richdavis4007]

Glad it was helpful!😊😊

[@Purple_haired_cleric]

Thanks for the video! The last time I used was a few months ago. The humidity here is usually below 40%, no wonder it's printing blank pages! 🤯

[@richdavis4007]

Yes, I'm afraid these inkjets need to be used at least every other week or so. Mine still sits dorment since I made this video months or years ago.

[@Purple_haired_cleric]

@@richdavis4007 I see... I don't always print so I didn't think of the drying issue 😅

[@lruss5050]

Thanks! I never had a problem before, but I don’t print very often and I was shocked that my cartridge dried out!

[@richdavis4007]

It can get expensive and annoying to have inkjet cartridges dry out. I will only maintain an inkjet printer if I'm going to be using it often. Thanks, Laurie. Rich

[@Purple_haired_cleric]

Same Laurie! I bought a printer with the cartridges provided less than a year ago. The last time I printed was last summer. Today, it was printing blank pages several times. The indicator said they were full. They could be full, but must've dried out. 🤔😔

[@paulehd]

Great thanks I have had that problem before.

[@richdavis4007]

Glad it helped! Rich

[@JodyM2]

Good Tip Rich

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks, Jody. It eases my mind, which always has enough things to worry about. Rich

[@jholmesgt]

Awesome video! You da man!

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks!

[@zdeneknovak5276]

Also, if you print infrequenty and don't want to pull the cartridges out every time you don't print (because you will than have to put them back half an hour later - that is the rule of comedy that governs this universe), you can make sure you print _anything_ every week. I would reccomend the "testing page" of your printer, as those tend to be constructed in such a way that they excercise every nozzle of your printer.

[@richdavis4007]

Thank you for the useful tip. 😊😊

[@debbiedora9338]

Thank you...works oerfect❤

[@richdavis4007]

You're welcome 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@truthbetold4178]

Thank you!

[@richdavis4007]

You're welcome!

[@catherinealex1679]

Thank you sir I will try this.

[@richdavis4007]

😊😊😊

[@ankur313]

Thanks! great tip!!

[@richdavis4007]

No problem!

[@glennlopez6772]

Good sense! Thanks! Perhaps a thin sheet of rubber foam placed in the box, would control the water sloshing all over and into the circuit ribbon.

[@richdavis4007]

That might help, for sure. I think I used papers towels. Rich

[@shaguftakhan1073]

Thank you

[@richdavis4007]

You're welcome. Rich

[@moniquemonicat]

Thanks!

[@richdavis4007]

Glad my video helped!

[@emmanuelwatson7893]

I don't do that much prinking, like once in a every couple off month, so I often have to pay for new cartridges just to print a handful of pages and then by the time I need to print something again, they've dried up. And with the cost of ink cartridges these days, it does tend to make a dent in the wallet, so I am going to give this a try and hope it works.

[@richdavis4007]

I hope it works for you. 😊😊

[@ellejaye22]

Thank you for the tip! I wonder would a humidification packet work the same way 🤔 like Boveda

[@richdavis4007]

I do not know.😊

[@shwet1187]

Excellent

[@richdavis4007]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@cherileerogers1650]

You can also use a saturated puppy pad cut to size. It will stay moist a lot longer than a dampened paper towel.

[@richdavis4007]

Great idea! Sponge would probably work too. Thanks, Cheri Lee. Rich

[@cherileerogers1650]

@@richdavis4007 Yes, and a diaper. You are welcome Rich!

[@drojo20102010]

@@cherileerogers1650 what about a small wet sponge?

[@cherileerogers1650]

@@drojo20102010 The puppy pad would probably last longer, however, you could try it.

[@speakingofjo]

Thank youuuuu!!!!!🎉

[@richdavis4007]

Glad to help!

[@pritisingh8759]

Gr8 video..

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks 🙂

[@kanivakil198]

I think it's much easier just to print something once a week since printing 15 pages are free once per month to keep the jet ink from drying.

[@richdavis4007]

That's a good way to go, I'm sure. When I shut my copier down, I haven't restarted it in years. I use an inexpensive black/white laser printer. I guess I didn't require color after all!

[@kennewton9369]

What sucks, though, is that there is no good solution for those who print infrequently. While this tip may work, it’s inconvenient in the extreme. Every time you wish to print something, you have to retrieve the ‘mothballed’ cartridges, and then re-mothball them after. Lasers are the best technical solution, as toner is great for infrequent use. Yet the worst cost option (especially, if you want color), as laser printers are built and priced for high page count office printing. You would think that after all these decades, the industry would have developed technical solution to the drying ink problem.

[@kennewton9369]

I’ve read that ink tank type printers also dry, just takes longer. If true, they are not a solution either.

[@richdavis4007]

What color ink jet printers can do is amazing. As you say, the problem comes when you don't use them regularly. I guess the world is not perfect after all! I'm just glad I wasn't born before the invention of flush toilets and electricity! Best wishes to you, Ken. Thanks for your comment. Rich

[@kennewton9369]

@@richdavis4007 Thanks, Rich. Just to be clear, I wasn’t intending to deride your tip. It, at least, gives users some solution. I’m currently shopping for a new printer, and the inadequately met consumer needs options they offer are both frustrating, and surprising.

[@richdavis4007]

@@kennewton9369 No problem. My solution has worked for me, but I simply don't use color anymore unless i have a real need to. My black and white laser printer is my work horse. Rich

[@pamelacomstock3678]

But then the industry wouldn't make the money from people like me who have to purchase new cartridges. It is called greed. They would call it, good business sense.

[@joycem.7857]

Wow, I have been wasting money buying new ones, didn't know this trick.

[@richdavis4007]

😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@AtharzReview]

From where did you get the stuff with covers the nozzle? Or they came with the cartridges when you bought them?

[@richdavis4007]

They came like that.

[@scarletfrancois3469]

I've tried this before but without the damped cloth and my ink dried up will have to try it again with damp cloth.Thanks

[@richdavis4007]

The area has to stay moist. Your comment reminded me to check my cartridges. I seldom have to add water since my container is air tight. It's still wet inside today weeks after I last wet the cloth! Rich

[@kenmitchell3355]

I will do this today. Won't the wet paper towel turn to mold or mildew though?

[@richdavis4007]

😊😊

[@Cr8z13]

I switched to laser printers several years ago and haven't looked back since. A toner cartridge can last me a few years with no problems.

[@richdavis4007]

I love my cheap laser printer. It doesn't work great with envelopes, so I use my inkjet for that. A perfect world has both types of printers, but you have to keep using the inkjet or cartridges will dry out. Thanks, friend. Rich

[@davornesevski7998]

браво дедо

[@richdavis4007]

😊😊😊

[@ava_7777]

Aww you are so cute 🥺

[@richdavis4007]

That's very kind of you to say. Rich😊😊

[@ava_7777]

@@richdavis4007 Can I call you Grandpa ?

[@richdavis4007]

@@ava_7777 That would make me happy as pie! 😊😊

[@ava_7777]

@@richdavis4007 Thanks Grandpa 🙂 Do take care of yourself....

[@soniatrowers5571]

hello everyone, I felt like I won the Latto I’ve wasted so much money buying ink , I change two printers at my summer home because of the ink drying out ,I was planning on just put the entire printer in my refrigerator when I’m not there to used it. Thank you Rich this is by luck I just bump into this video.I will definitely try this method next month

[@paulajameson2662]

Have you not found it necessary to remove the printhead also? We leave our mountain home for 2-3 months at a time and have had many ink problems.

[@richdavis4007]

I don't use inkjet anymore. If I did I'd try to use the printer every week or so. If I had to be gone, I'd either remove cartridges and throw them away or just use a black/white laser printer. My cheap laser printer is all I require at the moment.

[@paper5425]

In this video, the (disposable) printhead is on the cartridge itself. If your printer has a permanent printhead then you should also remove it to prevent the remaining ink from drying on it. If ink has dried on it you need to wash it, either with water (preferably distilled) or an appropriate nozzle/printhead cleaning solution

[@aarthi.s9157]

Sir I don't have that black cap for cartridge. Can I seal the nozzle with a tape ? Or is there any other alternative ?

[@richdavis4007]

You can try cellophane wrap or something like that.

[@aarthi.s9157]

Okay sir thank you

[@sys9208]

I searched for this because apparently my cartridges are dry 😅 as i haven't used it for 9 months.

[@richdavis4007]

That will happen, unfortunately. You'd think by now inkjet cartridges could be made to last until they are used up without having such surprises.

[@schoolhouserock8803]

What if your ink cartridge is low on ink, can you salvage some ink from your cartridge by removing it and placing it in an air tight container using the damp paper towel?

[@richdavis4007]

I don't see why not. Rich

[@vikasv7678]

Rich, have you seen mold growing in that box? I'm not sure what will happen if a damp cloth is left out in a airtight container for a long period of time.

[@richdavis4007]

It has been 16 months since I set this up and posted this video. I just opened the container. There is still water in it. There is a bit of ink here or there and the cartridges look fresh. I haven't used the printer in all that time. I don't see mold. The container closes very tightly. Everything seems to be working to me. 😊

[@vikasv7678]

​@@richdavis4007 Thanks for information Rich! I have a house that is always humid and mold grows easily. So I just wanted to check.

[@richdavis4007]

@@vikasv7678 It was interesting for me to check. Glad if my video helped! Rich

[@moniquemonicat]

@@richdavis4007 Thanks for this message of just how long you had it in the container, 16 months! wow! this is great. will save me $$$

[@pamelacomstock3678]

@@vikasv7678 what about putting a couple drops of chlorine bleach on your dampened paper towel. That would take care of any mold growth, I am thinking.

[@Swayzeo]

did this work?

[@richdavis4007]

It looks like it's working to me. I just checked and there is still a little water in the container and the ink cartridges look moist. As long as you don't let the container dry out for a period of time, I think it will be fine. Rich

[@abdoooo991]

Thank you sir but if I am traveling from country to another how I keep them safe in the plane?

[@richdavis4007]

I would take the container in my luggage so when I got to the next country I could use as described in this video. The cartridges I'd carry in a zip lock bag in the same part of my luggage that holds my toothbrush and personal items.

[@abdoooo991]

@@richdavis4007 Thank you sir

[@richdavis4007]

Have fun on your trip! Rich

[@MrBassem1010]

coudl you confirm please that after leaving it for 3 or 4 months it works well again .

[@richdavis4007]

Yes.

[@honkymonkey9568]

Maybe you could add a little vinegar to prevent mold.

[@richdavis4007]

I haven't had mold and I've had this setup as I described for probably two years or more. If I were going to use my color printer at this point, I'd buy new cartridges. As someone recently suggested, probably the best best is just to keep the printer in service all the time. If you will occasionally be wanting color, just print two or three pages a week.

[@honkymonkey9568]

@@richdavis4007 Every inkjet I've ever had runs out of color even though I select "black only" and never even use the color. So, I have no choice but to take the color cartridges out when I'm not using them.

[@richdavis4007]

Okay. If you use color, you seem to be close to discovering the method that will work best for you. If you remove and put back frequently, the method I describe should work for you. Of course, you can also add a touch of vinegar, if you like. 😊😊

[@markmiller7529]

Whats funny I was thinking about doing this but i didnt know how to really do it, i was thinking about a ziploc bag with water in it but it would make far bigger mess if i that.

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks, Mark. 😊😊😊

[@Muonium1]

I doubt this will work much better than simply leaving them in the printer continuously since they automatically run a self-clean every time they're reinstalled and that uses up a lot of ink anyway. A better and cheaper way to go is just buying generic ink kit off ebay for like $10 to refill the cartridges when they get low. The print heads will accumulate dried ink and clog from time to time but they are ALWAYS cleanable, don't let the printer companies fool you. If you just let the print head soak in hot water for some minutes and then gently wipe off with isopropanol then refill with ink they'll start working again. I just got a $20 HP printer off craigslist that had old dried up dead printer cartridges I revived with this method and refilled with about $1 worth of ink. It prints perfectly again after a few head cleanings. You can do this MANY times with the cartridges before they refuse to print anymore.

[@richdavis4007]

Thanks for your detailed and helpful comment! Rich😁

[@vikasv7678]

When I did some digging into the printer and cartridge, it seems that cartridges are storing information on how many pages they printed. Once the limit is reached, they won't print correctly and makes you think cartridge has gone bad. Companies have gotten smarter over the years.

[@Muonium1]

@@vikasv7678 some companies do this some don't. So far as I know Epson does but hp doesn't, or at least doesn't now

[@kenmitchell3355]

Won't the print head (ink sprayer dry out?

[@richdavis4007]

These days I use laser printer that prints cheaply black and white. If I ever want to use color again, I will do what it takes to bring color printer back to life. Every time I've checked the ink cartridges have stayed moist. My recommendation is, if you really want a color printer, use it regularly. Find an excuse to print something once a week or so. With disuse, as you have imagined, I believe, bad things can happen. Best wishes. Rich Davis

[@martinmercerjr8615]

Hello, I try this but cartridge still dry out. Why

[@richdavis4007]

If there's water in the container, the cartridge should not dry out.

[@martinmercerjr8615]

The paper towels were still wet. I forgot to check if there was actually water in it. But as long as the paper towels were still wet . They should dried out

[@obbzerver]

Why would it matter if they're in a plastic bag?

[@richdavis4007]

It wouldn't.

[@aarthi.s9157]

Sir i kept it for a day like how you said. But now I took a print. Alignment is not coming properly. Help me please

[@richdavis4007]

I don't work on printers or use ink jet printers much anymore. Hopefully you can fix your problem yourself or find help elsewhere. Rich Davis

[@aarthi.s9157]

Okay sir. I dipped the catridge in hot water. It's working fine now.

[@richdavis4007]

@@aarthi.s9157 Great!! Nice tip for the rest of us. Rich

[@d.favelafavelinha3813]

I apologize, but I accidentally deleted my question. Could you answer again? The question is about what is the part you fit in the cartridge. Many thanks for the attention and I apologize again

[@richdavis4007]

The top part of the cartridge fits into the printer. There is a cover that fits over the top part of the cartridge when you want to store it. If you don't have that piece, you could probably store without. The container is air tight and the water won't dry out in two years or more. I can't say how long your cartridge will actually be useful for if you store this way. Thanks. Rich Davis

[@d.favelafavelinha3813]

@@richdavis4007 "The top part of the cartridge fits into the printer." Can it be those clamps/snap fill for ink cartridges? Other doubt: did you say "moisture" at the 2:48 moment of the video? Many thanks

[@richdavis4007]

@@d.favelafavelinha3813 I do not know. 😊

[@d.favelafavelinha3813]

@@richdavis4007 Thank you, but what don't you know? It is because I asked 2 questions.

[@kattarhindu8190]

Did this worked ?? I am planning not to use printer for next six months

[@richdavis4007]

Everything stays moist a very long time without adding new water. I haven't tried printer lately so I don't know how the cartridges are. This is a much better choice than leaving cartridges in the printer, I'd think. Thanks. Rich

[@kattarhindu8190]

@@richdavis4007 thanks for prompt respose...I will try this...may be update in 6 months :)..thank you..keep making such videos

[@richdavis4007]

@@kattarhindu8190 Thanks for your appreciation. Rich

[@akashdas-hq9hp]

@Rich Davids Could you update if the printer cartridges are working by using the damp cloth method ? How long could we store the cartridges by that way ?

[@mipps125]

Cartridges are annoying.... Printing companies must do away with these things..

[@richdavis4007]

They can print so wonderfully, but the cartridges, as you say, are annoying!

[@angelaguice1380]

Thank you!

[@richdavis4007]

You're welcome!