Your printer is an essential tool, whether for home, work, or school. But over time, even the best ink cartridges run low or dry out, leading to print quality issues and frustration. How do you know when it’s time to swap out your cartridge for a fresh one? Here are five telltale signs to watch for.
1. Faded or Patchy Prints
If your prints are coming out faint, streaky, or missing sections of text and images, your ink cartridge is likely running low. This is especially common with black ink, as documents may start to look grey instead of deep black.
2. Warning Messages from Your Printer
Most modern printers will alert you when ink levels are low. A warning like “Low Ink” or “Replace Cartridge” is a clear sign you need to prepare for a replacement soon. However, some printers can be overly cautious, so if your prints still look fine, you might be able to squeeze out a few more pages.
3. Colours Look Wrong or Washed Out
When colour ink cartridges start to run out, prints may appear off-tone or washed out. You might notice a blue tint where there should be black or missing colours in images. This usually means one or more colour cartridges are running low and need replacing.
4. Printer Struggles or Stops Mid-Print
If your printer suddenly stops mid-job or refuses to print altogether, a depleted ink cartridge could be the culprit. Some printers prevent printing when ink is too low to avoid damage to the printhead.
5. Smudging or Ink Blotches
An old or dried-out ink cartridge may cause smudging, blotches, or inconsistent ink flow. This happens when the ink inside starts to dry up, making it harder for the printer to distribute evenly on the page.
Time for a New Ink Cartridge?
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s probably time to replace your ink cartridge. At Crazy Kangaroo, we stock genuine HP, Canon, Epson and Brother ink cartridges at great prices with fast, free delivery. Plus, we make recycling your old cartridges easy!
♻️ Recycle your empty cartridges for free:
✅ Print a Freepost recycling label in seconds
✅ Order new ink and get free pre-paid recycling bags with your order
Keeping your printer running smoothly has never been easier!
