bought a printer 6 mos. ago the warranty ran out its a hp deskjet 880c.the ink has leaked in the corner of the printer,how do i clean it,and how did it happen,the cartridges are new and there is no cracks or breakage that i can see,also how often should i change them,i use black and tri-color.
2006-09-07 15:36:54 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Printers
The problem you are having is not a cartridge problem but rather in the machine. I am assuming the leaking you are talking about is coming from the base of the machine on the right side. Your purge/cleaning station is full of residue ink. Each time your machine prepares to print it spits a little spray of ink into the cleaning station to clear the nozzles and then wipes the heads of the print cartridges with what looks like tiny windshield wipers. With the print cartridges centered in the machine you can see the cleaning station inside on the right. You'll also be able to see the wipers inf the purge is in the right position. You can clean the wipers with a Q-tip moistened (not dripping) with water. Removing and cleaning out the purge/cleaning station is rather involved and may be better left for a printer repair shop. Our company does 10 to 15 each week for a flat fee of 50 dollars. Actually it's a really messy job and 50 dollars is pretty good for a 1 hour nasty job. Best to call around and find a local shop that will do it for a flat fee instead of by the hour. DO NOT ship the machine to anyone to repair it for you. They will open the box to an ink covered nightmare. The ink is liquid and will go everywhere. Think about a 1/4 cup of loose black runny ink in the hands of UPS and you get the picture.
Advise time.... KEEP THE MACHINE LEVEL ! Tipping it will make it leak more Set the machine on a folded hefty garbage bag with a couple paper towels between the machine and the bag. The paper towels will soak up the leaking ink and the plastic will prevent it from ruining your counter or desk.
By the way. I am a 13 year certified printer technician that services machines by 6 different manufacturers. I disagree with an above comment to dump the machine and buy an Epson or Canon. There are good reasons why HP has 70% of the market in inkjet printers and its about bang for the buck. The above gentlement obviously hasn't went through the clogged Epson Printhead nightmares yet or the lack of repair options and ink/printhead cost of the Canons yet.
If it helps any in the dump the HP thing. I make my living repairing printers and I can put most any brand or demo model I want in at next to no money. My company and home both run on HP printers.
Hope the above helps you.
2006-09-07 18:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Had the same issue on a work printer. There is a carriage that is supposed to engage the cartridges when its not printing. Its like a platform with a sponge on it that seals them when not in use. If this platform is broken, the carts will leak.
I'm not a big conspiracy theory person....but what a great way to sell ink.
My advice, get a new printer...Epson or Cannon. They are the price of a few ink carts and well worth it. Dump the HP, I know its new but the price of replacing leaking carts is not worth it. Eat the cost and get a better printer. One with separate color ink carts.
Best of luck.
2006-09-07 22:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by joe b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like one of the cartridges is leaking, even though they appear to be undamaged. If you take them out & inspect them, you may be able to see where it's leaking. In this case, it should be replaced. Otherwise, cartridges should be replaced as needed. This depends on the amount of printing you do. Your printer software should have a control panel which opens to display the ink level, among other things, on the screen during printing jobs. Aside from that, you can tell if the ink is low when the print becomes fainter or the colors are way off.
2006-09-07 22:56:04 · answer #3 · answered by WillyC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should remove that cartage, and inspect and find it is damaged, if it is not trying see how it leak, to clean ink, water and alcohol will do the job. If problem still there, bring the printer back to the shop you bought from and seek a warrenty.
Try getting something like cannon which is much better.
Also trying Laser printer which also save alot more cost where the price of laser printer is dropping.
2006-09-07 23:22:40 · answer #4 · answered by penguinusaf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋