Does Canon Printer Ink Dry Out? Tips to Prevent It!

Printers have become a fixture in everyone’s home and office, and are valuable for documents, photos, and arts and crafts.With that said, one common question Canon printer users ask is: does Canon printer ink dry out? That’s going to depend upon many factors, including how much a Canon printer is used, the cartridges used, as well as where it was ultimately stored. For example, if a Canon printer is not used for weeks or months, the ink within the cartridge can dry and cause the nozzles to clog from the dried ink and affect the print quality, and there is very good reason to understand how and why this happens in order to keep a Canon printer running smoothly. Luckily, simple steps can be taken to ensure that a Canon printer’s ink cartridges will last as long as possible, avoiding additional and unnecessary expense. 

Why Does Printer Ink Dry Out? 

An ink cartridge has to deliver liquid ink to paper through very tiny nozzles. If the nozzles on the ink cartridges are not utilized for an extended period of time, the ink can evaporate inside and begin to clog. This is a common occurrence across the entire industry of inkjet printers, not only Canon printers. There are many factors that aid in this drying out process including room temperature, level of humidity, and access to air.

For example, if you keep the printer in front of direct light or heat and dry conditions, the ink will probably dry out faster. But, if you use the printer on a frequent basis, the ink circulates and remains as a liquid which decreases the risk of clogs. 

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Signs That Ink is Drying Out

It can sometimes be difficult to spot when the ink in your cartridge is drying for the first time. Some signs would be printed pages that are faded, text that is missing lines, or weird streaks on the paper. The printer may display an error indicating that the cartridge is not correctly recognized. If you noticed these issues because the printer has not been used in a while, it is a good indication that the ink is drying out. You may be able to fix the problem by running a printhead clean or an ink flush, but in the case that the ink has hardened too much, changing the cartridge may be the only method of fixing the problem.

How to Prevent Canon Ink from Drying Out?

There are some straightforward things that users can do to stop their Canon ink cartridges from drying out so quickly:

1. Print Regularly – If you print a simple page weekly, this will keep the ink flowing. Too long of a break may cause clogs.
2. Keep the Printer Covered – Dust and dry air can also dry ink out more quickly. Keeping the printer covered as much as possible will also help maintain moisture feels.
3. Store Cartridges Properly – If you have any extra ink cartridges, you can keep them sealed in their packaging until you are ready to install them. Opened cartridges dry out quicker.
4. Maintain Proper Environment – Make sure to not store your printer in excessive sunlight, extreme heat, or very low humidity.
5. Use Genuine Ink – Canon original cartridges can dry out slower than some low-quality ink cartridges.

Cleaning Dried-Out Cartridges

If your Canon cartridge is already dried out, there are still some things to try before you need to replace it. Many Canon printers have a cleaning function built in that uses excess ink to push through and loosen the dried ink and unclogged the nozzles. Running this cleaning cycle once or twice often restores print quality. If that doesn’t work, some users try to gingerly wipe the dried printhead with a soft damp cleaned cloth or with a specialized cleaning kit. Keep in mind, however that these methods will not always work for you. In some situations, the dried ink is permanent and will require you to replace the cartridge. 

How Long do Canon Cartridges Last?

If properly stored (somewhere that is not prone to extreme temperatures), most Canon ink cartridges will last no longer than two years, but once in a printer the usage frequency will determine how long they last. When a cartridge is used frequently, the usage will be longer in usability because the ink is in constant flow and active. A cartridge that is left inside a printer for months without being used, would likely dry up sooner, even if it is half full. This is why I stressed that trying to use your printer on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for cartridge life. 

Is Printing Weekly (or even every 2 – 3 weeks) a Good Idea? 

A lot of people try to “save” ink by doing less printing. In actuality, that could mean more waste. When a cartridge dries up, it might need to be replaced long before it is fully used up. If you print a very small test page once a week, yes – it will use a very small amount of ink, but will in turn fully keep the ink from drying and clogging. In the long run, you save money, and more importantly you are guaranteed the printer is available when you need to print!

When Replacement is the Only Option?

Unfortunately, even with all precautions taken, there are times when a Canon cartridge dries beyond the point of no return, and in this case, you can only replace it (or if there’s more than one, all of them). To prevent this from happening too often, users can plan the way in which they print. Buying in bulk will save you money when you print regularly. But if you use your printer occasionally, then buying only as needed reduces the risk of dried out fuel in a stockpile of ink cartridges!   

Conclusion

So, does Canon printer ink dry out? Yes, it definitely does, especially when you leave a Canon printer unused for long periods of time. Dried ink will cause nozzle clogging and dissatisfaction with print quality; even new cartridges could go to waste. But, with a few solid practices such as printing frequently, storing the cartridge correctly, and keeping your printer in an appropriate environment, users can dramatically reduce, if not eliminate, the potential of their ink drying out. If cartridges still dry out and cleaning does not help, replacement is the only option. By understanding how Canon ink works and addressing potential care issues, users can save time and money, while achieving high quality and consistently reliable prints!