All printers on the market are slightly different, as such it’s impossible to write a complete guide for all of them so any general guide should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The first step in the process of changing an ink cartridge is always the same: check the make and model of your printer. Because of the huge range of available printers ensuring the compatibility of a potential cartridge is important so you don’t waste time, money and risk damaging your printer by trying to force the wrong cartridge into it.
Removing the packaging from your new cartridge is also a fairly universal step. Usually, aside from all the packing that your cartridge was shipped with, there will be a plastic clip on the bottom of the cartridge and a thin tab covering the chip. Both of these must be removed with care, touching the chip or nozzle can cause damage to your cartridge or printer.
Inkjet cartridges:
Inkjet printers are the most common variety found in homes and offices around the globe. They often have helpful on-screen tutorials to assist you in changing cartridges.
- Inkjet printers often need to be switched on before the cartridge can be changed. Open the lid and the cartridges will usually be presented to you. Sometimes you’ll need to press a “Change cartridge” button on the printer. The labels on the top of the cartridges will make it apparent what inks they hold. Often, particularly with newer printers , you can start the change cartridge process through your computer.
- The next step is to grasp the top of the cartridge and gently pull it towards you to extract it from the printer. Many newer cartridges have a simple clip mechanism, enabling you to pop them out with the minimum of fuss. Epson models often have a cartridge holder lid that needs to be lifted before a cartridge can be removed.
- Carefully dispose of your used cartridge. Where possible recycle them. Empty cartridges can occasionally have small amounts of ink left inside them, so please handle them gently and away from valuable carpets/clothing.
- Place the new cartridge into the printer, ensuring that it faces the correct way. Often you’ll hear an audible click to let you know it’s inserted correctly. Some manufacturers include arrows on the cartridges to help you know which way around they should be inserted.
- Lastly close the lid. Epson printers often require the user to run a cleaning cycle to finish the job. It is essential that all the cartridges are securely in place and in the correct position. Printers will not function, even if you only intend to print black and white, without a complete set of cartridges.
Laser Printer Cartridges:
- Open the cover of the printer. If you cannot find how to do this check out the manufacturers’ instructions
- To remove toner cartridges you’ll need to either pull a clearly marked handle on the top of the cartridge, then gently lift it out. Again take care disposing of the cartridge, recycling if at all possible. Toner is very difficult to clean up, so be very careful not to let the cartridge spill on you or your possessions, and place the cartridge in some form of sealed bag as soon as possible.
- Take the new cartridge and give it a gentle shake from side to side to distribute the toner.
- Removing any remaining packaging, place the cartridge into your printer. Close the lid.
- If you turned the machine off for installation, turn it back on and print a test page. If the quality is low repeat the previous two steps until the toner flows freely.
