Summary: Inexpensive printers are great, but when it comes time to repair, your choices are somewhat limited.
I haven't used my nice little Canon BJC 2100 printer for more than a year so it won't print now. I've pressed all the cleaning & nozzle cleaning buttons, printed test pages all to no avail. The ink pad on the cartridge is still wet with ink so it must be the print head that's dried out. Canon tried to help but suggested a new print head but at a price that would buy me 2 new printers! I'd like to use that printer again so is there any way to refurbish & clean that print head?
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I'll throw this one to my readers, buy my off-the-cuff answer is no.
I mean, yes - but no.
Let me explain...
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Of course I'm sure that there's a way to refurbish the print head. The problem is the cost. As with replacement, getting something refurbished is going to cost you and probably cost more than the value of the printer.
In insurance terms, your printer's been "totaled". The cost to repair exceeds the cost to replace.
It's a frustrating side effect of inexpensive electronics. I mean, it's great that there are very good quality printers and other electronics as exceptionally reasonable prices, but that means that when they break or wear out they're effectively disposable.
It doesn't take a lot of parts and labor to quickly cost more than the original $120.00 purchase price of an inexpensive printer. Not to mention the value of your own time and hassle arranging for repair/refurbishing.
The net result is kind of frightening. Without getting into a lot of the social/political ramifications, all those disposable electronics end up somewhere. Landfills, or perhaps recycling facilities often of questionable impact themselves.
It seems like there would be a big market for inexpensive ways to extend the life of inexpensive electronics. Of course, if it's not inexpensive, then it's not going to happen.
Personally, I would expect that there might be "do it yourself" print head cleaning kits, though I I've not had any experience with them myself. This is where I'll ask readers: any thoughts?
Related:
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Ask Leo! - Are cheap inkjet cartridges a good deal?
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Ask Leo! - How do I use a printer that's on another machine on my network?
Article C3100 - July 29, 2007
"Honeytrap to lure us into buying expensive new ink refills" is certainly true in many cases.
I'm sure we've all seen "free after rebate" ads for such printers. I can tell you that, from what I've seen, they're not worth the price. :-)
We actually had one cost us "negative money" a few years ago. The cost of buying the computer we wanted plus the printer was actually less than buying the same computer without the printer. Yes, they paid us to take the printer home! It worked well enough for a couple of months, but then the print heads clogged. (Sound familiar?) After numerous tests, cleaning runs, and so on, using more dollars in ink than we saved by buying it in the first place, we discovered that this model was prone to this behavior. The internet concensus was "it's a piece of junk". The only redeeming feature was that it was an all-in-one, and our kids now have a flatbed scanner for their computer.
Inkjet printers are fine, but avoid the cheap ones. We're on only our second inkjet printer in over 10 years. (Not counting the above-mentioned junker.) Get a "real" printer and save money and headaches in the long run.
Posted by: Ken at July 30, 2007 7:22 AMAs a quick followup...
The first inkjet printer we had for the office, which we got 10 years ago, only recently died. When we replaced it, we gave it to our son, who used it (admitedly very lightly) for a few more years. In case you're wondering, that was an HP DeskJet 672C.
Unfortunately, most people seem to buy based on initial purchase price, and I doubt that any of the majority of the printers you find at your home/office supply store nowadays would last anywhere near as long.
Posted by: Ken at July 30, 2007 7:30 AMThanks Leo for the response but I actually found a pretty good web page on print head cleaning thru ask-leo.com!! Have a look on http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wilf.james/cartclen.htm
Posted by: Dennis Anthony at July 30, 2007 7:44 AMFirst, hold a wet paper towel on the cartridge nozzles for a couple of minutes. Wipe dry and use.
Posted by: Carl Johnson at August 3, 2007 6:45 PMIf that does not unclog, then drop the cartridge in a bowl of water and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe dry and use.
Many inks for inkjets use a solvent called iso-propyl alcohol. It can be used in small quantities in the home, but with care- definitely NOT for internal use. having said that, let's get down to the important message. If there is a chemical supply shop nearby, you could buy a litre cheaply- otherwise a local pharmacist will charge for say 400 ccs. That should last quite a while.
Posted by: Ezrab at August 4, 2007 6:17 AMI had an old Olivetti inkjet printer that I refurbished and cleaned up for several years. When it gummed up, I would soak the cartridge in the iso-propyl alcohol, and was able to release the dried-up ink on many occasions. I could also take a swab, holding cotton wool- tightly wound on the ends of tweezers- soaked in this alcohol and cleaned up the insides of the printer. I have never had a Canon, so cannot comment on your particular printer.
Iso-propyl alcohol can be found for a dollar at your local Dollar Tree Store.
Posted by: Ken Crook at August 4, 2007 8:39 PMHi Leo,
I had one time experence like that with my HP jet printer. Maybe the reason is dryness of the printing hole.
Put the print head bottom into warm water for 0.5-1 hour, then try to print again.
Regards,
Posted by: Robin at August 5, 2007 1:30 AMRobin
It's a shame that so many printers are destined for landfill because minor faults are 'uneconomic' to repair, although the new European legislation that forces manufacturers to take back old electronic equipment for disposal at their cost, plus the rising charges for landfill dumping, may persuade manufacturers to make their kit more repairable.
Posted by: John E at August 6, 2007 4:18 AMIf you're thinking of buying a colour laser printer, check out the cost of new toner and other parts first as they can make inkjet cartridges seem really cheap in comparison - a full set of 4 toner cartridges for our office HP A3 colour laser costs around £700 ($1400)!!!!
Just a follow-up to John's comment. Yes, the upfront costs of colour laserjet consumables can make your eyes bleed, but you need to look at the duty cycle of the refills and try to work out the cost per copy of the competing equipment. When you break it down, make sure you include the cost of a new drum every once in a while, which lasers have but inkjets don't. Still, the cost per copy of lasers is almost guaranteed to be cheaper than inkjet. Also I have a good toner refilling company which refills my toner cartridges at a huge discount over new ones & the quality is "as new". They even do it as an exchange, I take in the old cart & trade it for a remanufactured one. Cost effective *and* eco-ethical: win-win!
Posted by: DG Cox at August 6, 2007 2:25 PMI just picked up an Hp 2300 business jet and the print heads were pretty bad. I have heard of the wet paper towel but that did not work. I even tried the water in a cup and let it soak. That sorta worked. But what really did the trick was taking a cup of really hot almost boiling water and letting the heads soak for a minute or two. Now my printer works just like new.
Posted by: Handy at October 27, 2009 3:45 PM