Inkjet printers: fixes and guides

Cartridge inkjets are the most common home printers. Most of their problems come from ink: clogged nozzles after a few idle weeks, cartridges the printer won’t accept, and color that drifts. Paper feed and connection problems are the same as on any printer.

Common problems (17)

• Clogged print head or missing colorsGaps, missing colors or blank pages from an inkjet? Run nozzle checks and cleaning cycles the right way, then try deeper fixes for stubborn clogs.
• Printer doesn't recognize the cartridgeCartridge error, incompatible cartridge, or not detected after a swap? Reseat it, remove the tape, clean the contacts and check the model number.
• Ink levels look wrong or show emptyInk gauge shows empty on a full cartridge, or never changes? Learn how printers estimate ink, then reseat, reset and check levels the right way.
• Printer won't print black but color worksColors print but black text is missing or faint? Check the black cartridge and its tape, clear blocked black nozzles and fix paper type and grayscale settings.
• Prints are faded or too lightPages coming out pale, grey or washed out? Check ink or toner, turn off draft and saver modes, set the right paper type and clear clogged nozzles.
• Streaks or lines on printed pagesWhite gaps, dark stripes or repeating marks on your prints? Work out whether nozzles, alignment, the drum or the scanner glass is to blame, and fix it.
• Printer prints the wrong colorsColors coming out wrong, missing or tinted? Check cartridges, nozzles and slot order, then fix grayscale and color management settings on Windows and Mac.
• Prints are smudged or smearedInk that smears, toner that rubs off, or marks on the back of pages? Fix the paper type setting, drying time, dirty rollers and fuser problems.
• Photos print grainy, dull or bandedPhotos coming out grainy, flat or striped? Match the paper type, load the right side, raise the quality, check image resolution and clear clogged nozzles.
• Prints are blurry, fuzzy or misalignedFuzzy text, doubled lines or content printing crooked or off-center? Align the print head, fix quality and paper settings, and set the paper guides.
• Cartridges stopped working after a printer updateNon-original cartridges rejected after a firmware update? Confirm the cause, ask the seller about a replacement or refund, and choose how future updates install.
• Ink cartridge is leaking or drippingInk 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.
• Printer uses color ink when printing blackColor cartridges emptying when you only print black? See why printers mix color into black, then set black-ink-only printing and cut maintenance ink use.
• Printer won't print in colorEverything comes out in black and white even though you have color ink or toner. Check grayscale settings in the driver and apps, then the cartridges and driver.
• Print carriage is stuck or won't moveCarriage jam or carriage error on your inkjet? Remove packing tape and transport locks, clear paper and objects from its path, and check it moves freely.
• Printer won't pick up paperPrinter whirs but won't grab paper from the tray? Check how the paper is loaded, the guides and tray settings, then clean the pickup rollers.
• Paper jam: how to clear it safelyPaper stuck inside your printer? Learn where jams hide, how to pull paper out without tearing it, and how to stop jams from coming back.

Guides for inkjet printers

• How to clean an inkjet print headRun a nozzle check and your printer's cleaning cycle to clear clogged inkjet nozzles, and learn when to stop, let it rest or clean by hand.
• How to run a nozzle checkPrint a nozzle check pattern from the printer, Windows or a Mac, read what the lines and blocks mean, and decide whether to clean, align or leave it alone.
• How to align the print headAlign an inkjet print head from the printer, Windows or a Mac to fix jagged lines and blurry or doubled text, using automatic or manual alignment.
• How to replace an ink or toner cartridgeReplace an inkjet or laser toner cartridge step by step: remove the tape and seals, seat it firmly, handle drum units and fix a cartridge that isn't recognized.
• How to check ink and toner levelsCheck ink or toner levels on the printer, in Windows, on a Mac or from your phone, and learn why the estimated levels aren't always accurate.
• How to save ink and tonerCut your printing costs by working out cost per page, using draft and grayscale modes, choosing high-yield supplies and avoiding wasted ink.
• How to print borderless photosPrint edge-to-edge photos from Windows, a Mac or a phone: pick a supported size and photo paper, turn on borderless and control how much is cropped.
• Inkjet vs laser: which printer should you buyDecide between an inkjet and a laser printer by comparing how much and what you print, cost per page, photo quality, speed and running costs.

Error codes you may see

• Canon error B200: print head problemCanon error B200 usually points to a print head or electrical fault. Here is what it means, the safe checks to try and when the printer needs repair.
• Canon error 5100: the carriage can’t moveCanon support code 5100 means the cartridge carriage couldn't move as expected, usually because something is in its way. Here is how to find and clear it.
• Canon error 5B00: the ink absorber is fullCanon support code 5B00 means the waste ink absorber has reached its limit and printing has stopped. Here is what it means and your safe options.
• Canon error 6000: paper or line feed problemCanon support code 6000 usually means the paper feed rollers couldn't move as expected. Clear jams, blocked trays and packing material, then restart.
• Epson error 0x97: internal hardware errorEpson error code 0x97 signals an internal hardware fault, often linked to the print head or main board. Try a full power reset, then check repair options.
• HP ink system failure and 0xc19a error codes"Ink system failure" on an HP inkjet, often with a code starting 0xc19a, points to the cartridges, printheads or ink delivery. Try a power reset first.
• Brother “Unable to Print” error with a numberBrother's "Unable to Print" error with a number means the printer found a problem it can't clear. The number varies by model; here is how to work through it.

Problems with connections, drivers and print queues are the same on every type of printer. See connection fixes and driver fixes.