Can Printer Cartridges Die??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marilyn E. Burford
  • Start date Start date
M

Marilyn E. Burford

I have a 3 yr. old Canon BJC 2100; very basic. I use an all black ink
cartridge in it, as well as the one that came with it, the cartridge
holder which holds a replaceable black tank, and a color tank, which
contains all three colors in one tank.

Was going to print a photo. Opened up the printer, exchanged all-black
cartridge for the color/black one. Once closed up the printer's sposed to
do a head cleaning and then it's all set. Well with that color/black
cartridge in there...NOTHING happens. I put the black cartridge back in
and it's fine, but EVERY TIME I put the color/black one in it's like
someone's cut the power to the printer; it does NOTHING and the error msg.
comes up on the screen that there's a cartridge error and to make sure the
cartridge is in properly and the printer door snapped shut (which it is).
So...obviously the problem's with this particular cartridge. CAN they
'die'? I'm wondering if the contacts are dirty, and so no electric
connection is taking place between cartridge and printer, but I know you
aren't sposed to touch them and I hesitate to try and 'clean' them, and
wouldn't know the best way to do it, or what to use, anyway. I could go
out and buy a new one, but hate to spend the money unless I am fairly sure
that it won't be a WASTE of my money.

Input appreciated...thanks. :)
M. Burford
 
Ms Burford.......

I have a BJC4300 with dual cartridges such as yours. I have successfully
cleaned the cartridge holder many times using plain old 70% isopropyl rubbing
alcohol and a stack of q-tips.

Be sure to clean inside and out, and especially around the brass contacts. If
you don't have a source of compressed air to blow it dry, possibly a hair dryer
set on low heat might do the job.

Give it a try......

CT
 
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