Ink, toner & tanks
Ink tank printer not printing after a refill
Topped up the tanks and now pages are blank or missing a color? Check the transport lock, reset levels, clear air from the lines and know when to stop.
You’ll need: Plain paper for nozzle checks · Paper towels and some old newspaper
Try this first
Check that any transport lock or ink valve lever near the tanks is in its print or open position, and that every tank cap is pushed firmly closed. Then print a nozzle check. If the pattern has gaps, run one head cleaning, wait a few minutes and check again; refilled ink often needs a cycle or two to reach the head.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsWhat you’ll notice
- Pages come out blank or with one color missing after refilling
- The nozzle check shows gaps even though every tank is full
- The printer still says ink is low or out after the refill
- You can see air gaps or empty sections in the ink tubes
- Colors look wrong, as if one ink went into the wrong tank
Usually caused by
- Most commonA tank ran dry before refilling and air got into the line
- Most commonInk dried in the nozzles while the printer waited for a refill
- SometimesInk level counter not reset after the refill
- SometimesTransport lock or ink valve left in the closed position
- SometimesWrong ink for the model, or a color poured into the wrong tank
- Less commonA kinked ink tube or a failed print head
Step by step
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
On the printer itself
0 of 8 tried
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Check the transport lock or ink valve
Some tank printers have a transport lock or an ink valve lever on or near the ink tank unit that shuts off the ink supply for shipping. If yours has one, make sure it is set to the print or open position; the manual or the label beside the tanks shows which way that is.
You should see: The lock or lever sits in the position marked for printing.
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Check the tanks, caps and colors
Every tank should sit between its lower and upper lines, with its cap pushed fully in and the tank cover closed. Confirm each bottle went into the matching color tank. Many newer bottles are shaped to fit only their own tank, but not all are, especially older or third-party bottles.
You should see: Every tank is above its lower line and each color matches its label.
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Reset the ink levels
If the printer still reports low or empty ink, use the ink reset or refill confirmation in the maintenance menu, or follow the prompt that appears when you close the tank cover. Reset only the colors you filled to the upper line. Some models won’t print until this is done.
You should see: The gauges for the refilled colors show full.
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Print a nozzle check
From the maintenance menu or the printer’s software, print a nozzle check on plain paper. It shows which colors are reaching the paper and which aren’t, so you only clean what needs it.
You should see: A pattern prints with a block or grid for each color.
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Run one or two normal cleanings
Run a head cleaning, wait five minutes, then print another nozzle check. If the gaps are shrinking, run one more. If nothing improves after two, stop rather than repeating, since each cycle uses ink and adds to the waste-ink pad.
You should see: Each pattern shows more of the missing color.
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Use the stronger cleaning once for air
If a tank ran dry before you refilled it, air may be sitting in its tube. Many tank printers offer a stronger cycle (names vary: power cleaning, deep cleaning, system cleaning or ink flush) that pulls ink through the whole line. Run it once, with every tank well above its lower line, because it uses a lot of ink.
You should see: The tube for that color looks solidly filled, and the next nozzle check is complete.
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Let it rest, then test again
Leave the printer idle for six hours or overnight, switching it off only with its own power button. Then print one more nozzle check. Fresh ink soaking into partly dried nozzles often finishes the job without another cycle.
You should see: The overnight check shows a complete pattern.
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Stop if a color is in the wrong tank
If one color went into another color’s tank, don’t keep printing or cleaning to flush it, as that pushes mixed ink through the head and tubes. Note which tank is affected and contact the manufacturer’s official support about the options for your model.
Did this fix it?
Good to hear. If the problem comes back, the steps will still be here, and your ticked steps are saved on this device.
Try these next:
- Check that the ink you used is made for your exact printer model. Bottles for other tank printers can look similar but use different formulas that may not flow properly or may clog the head.
- Print from a different app with default settings and plain paper selected. Grayscale, draft or photo-paper settings can make a page look as if a color is missing.
- If the printer stopped with a message rather than printing blank pages, look up the exact wording or code; it may be pointing at the ink pad, the head or a paper problem instead.
Still stuck? Run the diagnose questions, or check your printer’s manual and the manufacturer’s official support site.
Common questions
Can I shake or tilt the printer to move the ink along?
No. Tilting a tank printer can push ink where it shouldn’t go and damage the electronics. Use the printer’s cleaning cycles to draw ink through the lines.
How long does refilled ink take to reach the print head?
If the tank never ran dry, it is usually immediate. If air got into the line, it can take one or two cleanings plus a rest before that color prints evenly.
Is third-party ink safe in a tank printer?
Some third-party ink works well, but ink not made for your model can flow differently and cause clogs, and damage it causes may not be covered by the warranty. If you use it, buy ink sold for your exact model and stick to one brand rather than mixing.