Using an ink-jet printer all the time usually doesn’t affect the user at all – except when it comes to buying the cartridges! However, if you use them infrequently this is when most people start encountering problems. The following advice will help in most situations where printers stop working after long periods of time being switched off.

• Leave it switched on even though it may not be in use. It consumes very little power, but it will ensure that the print heads are kept closed. This stops the air getting to the inks and reduces the risk of it drying up inside them – this causes a blockage. The cost of replacing the cartridge or cartridges is considerably more than leaving the printer switched on.
• Create a simple document containing lines of text of the following colours: black, yellow, red, pink, green, blue, and some light blue. Every weekend print it. It uses hardly any ink at all but operates the print heads which makes ink blockages much less likely.
• Store all your spare ink cartridges upright and away from sources of heat – that includes sunlight. Natures gravity will ensure your ink is right where it should be when you need it, at the bottom of the cartridge at the print head. Only store inks for 3 to 4 months – reading the manufacturers instructions here would be a good idea.
• If you are still having problems with certain colours run through the print head clean and test procedures as detailed in the printer manual a few times – this clears the problem most times.
• If you find a print head cartridge doesn’t work when it is installed wipe the electronic copper strip with a few drops of spirit-based liquid on a tissue (meths and nail polish remover fall into this bracket. Dry and re-install.  If this doesn’t get the ink flowing stand the cartridge upright in about a centimetre of warm water (not boiling) for 12 to 15 minutes. Wipe the print-head with a tissue then re-install. Hopefully this will have loosened up any dried ink causing the blockage.