Ink cartridge is leaking or dripping
Ink dripping from a cartridge or pooling in the printer? Clean up safely, work out whether the cartridge or the printer is leaking, and stop it happening again.
Quick fix
Put on gloves and open the cartridge cover with the printer on, so the carriage moves within reach. Lift out the leaking cartridge and set it nozzle side up on folded paper towel. Then turn the printer off and unplug it, blot up spilled ink with paper towel, and fit a new cartridge rather than reusing a cracked one.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- Wet ink in the carriage, on the cartridge or under the printer
- Ink drips, blotches or smears on printed pages
- A new cartridge drips as soon as you take it out of its packaging
- Ink on your fingers every time you handle a cartridge
- A cartridge empties much faster than expected
Usually caused by
- A cracked or damaged cartridge
- Overfilled or poorly sealed refilled cartridges
- Air pressure changes from heat, cold or altitude
- Cartridges stored or shipped the wrong way up
- Ink build-up from many cleaning cycles
- A full waste ink system inside the printer
Safety first. Wear disposable gloves and cover the surface under the printer, since ink stains skin, clothes and furniture; unplug the printer before cleaning inside it, and don't touch the print head nozzles or copper contacts.
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Inkjet printers
0 of 7 steps tried
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Contain the spill
Put paper towel or old newspaper under and around the printer. Remove the leaking cartridge with the printer on and the carriage stopped, then stand it nozzle side up on paper towel, or seal it in a plastic bag if it's still dripping.
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Clean up the ink
Unplug the printer and blot, rather than wipe, pooled ink with paper towel so it doesn't spread. Clean the carriage and nearby plastic with a lint-free cloth or cotton swab lightly dampened with water. Keep away from the print head nozzles, the copper contacts and the thin clear strip behind the carriage, and let everything dry before plugging the printer back in.
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Clean ink off skin and fabric
Wash ink off skin with soap and warm water; it may take a few washes to fade. On clothes, blot the stain with cold water rather than rubbing, and treat it before washing, since the heat of a dryer can set it.
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Inspect the cartridge
Look for cracks, a split or lifted label, a damaged nozzle area or a missing seal. A damaged cartridge won't stop leaking and should be replaced; if it's new, return it to the seller. Seal used or leaking cartridges in a bag before recycling them.
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Let new cartridges settle
Air inside a cartridge expands with heat and lower air pressure, which can push ink out after air travel, a delivery left in a hot vehicle, or a move to high altitude. Let cartridges sit at room temperature for a few hours before opening them, and store spares sealed in their packaging, at room temperature, in the orientation shown on the box.
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Check refilled cartridges
Refilled cartridges leak when they're overfilled, when the refill hole isn't resealed, or when the sponge inside is saturated. Blot excess ink from the nozzle area with paper towel and let the cartridge rest nozzle side up for a while. If it keeps dripping, try a different refill kit or supplier.
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Check whether the printer is leaking
If ink pools under the printer or seeps from its base rather than from the cartridges, the likely source is the waste ink system, which collects ink from cleaning cycles in absorbent pads or a maintenance box. A printer showing an ink pad or maintenance message points the same way. Some models have a maintenance box you can replace; for others, check service options on the maker's official support website or in your manual.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? Our printer assistant can walk you through it by live chat, free. . Or the The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Is printer ink harmful to touch?
Household printer ink is generally low in toxicity, but it isn't meant for skin contact or swallowing. Wash it off, keep cartridges away from children and pets, and follow the cartridge maker's safety information if ink is swallowed or gets in the eyes.
Can I keep using a cartridge that leaked once?
If it leaked because of heat or altitude and has stopped, wipe it clean, run a nozzle check and keep using it. If it's cracked or keeps dripping, replace it.
Why does ink collect inside after cleaning cycles?
Each cleaning cycle pushes ink through the nozzles into a cap and on to the waste system. Running many cycles in a row can leave ink pooled around the cap, so space cleaning cycles out.