Dealing with printer problems at home can be frustrating — especially when you’re not sure if it’s the ink or something else. Below is a quick and helpful FAQ to help you fix common printer ink issues yourself.
Q: Why is my printer not printing even though it has ink?
This usually means the ink isn’t flowing properly or the printer is misreading the cartridge.
- Run a nozzle check or print head cleaning from your printer’s settings
- Make sure the cartridge is properly installed and clicked into place
- Try turning the printer off and on again to reset the ink detection system
Q: Why are my prints streaky or faded?
This is often due to clogged nozzles or dried ink in the cartridge.
- Run the print head cleaning cycle (you may need to run it more than once)
- Remove the cartridge and gently blot the print head with a damp paper towel
- Make sure you’re using the right paper and settings for your print job
Q: My printer says ink is low, but I just replaced it – why?
This can happen if the printer chip hasn’t reset or if it’s misreading the cartridge.
- Use genuine cartridges to reduce errors
- Try removing and reinstalling the cartridge
- If the warning persists but print quality is fine, you can usually keep printing safely
Q: Why is my printer printing blank pages?
This can be due to:
- Air bubbles in the cartridge
- A dry or clogged print head
- Incorrect paper settings or driver issues
Try running a cleaning cycle, checking your software settings, and testing another document.
Q: How can I stop my ink from drying out between uses?
Ink dries out when printers sit idle for too long.
- Print a test page every week to keep ink flowing
- Store the printer in a room-temperature environment
- Avoid switching off the printer at the wall – it needs to run self-maintenance cycles
Q: Can I fix a clogged ink cartridge at home?
Yes – for many cases.
- Soak the print head (not the whole cartridge) in warm water for 5–10 minutes
- Gently blot it dry and reinstall
- Run a cleaning cycle and print a test page
If it’s still not working, it may be time for a replacement.
Q: What should I do with an old or faulty ink cartridge?
Don’t throw it away! At Crazy Kangaroo, we offer:
- Free ink cartridge recycling for HP and Canon inks
- Recycling bags included with every qualifying ink order
- Freepost labels you can download from our website
Still stuck? It may be time to replace the cartridge or check your printer’s manual for brand-specific advice. If you're using HP, Canon, Epson or Brother printers, always choose genuine ink to avoid common issues — and shop direct from Crazy Kangaroo for fast delivery and guaranteed compatibility.
