What is an OEM cartridge?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM's such as Apple, Canon, Compaq, Epson, Hewlett Packard, and Lexmark are the companies that produce your inkjet printer as well as the printer cartridge that is used in it.

A remanufactured cartridge is a cartridge that has been disassembled and its worn parts replaced. The printer cartridge then receives a new print head, is refilled with printer ink, and is tested in the factory to guarantee print quality. It is basically the recycling of an empty cartridge. Remanufacturing is considered more comprehensive than recharging or using an ink refill kit. You can get remanufactured toner cartridges and remanufactured inkjet cartridges. Your printer's print head cleaning utility (described in your printer's operating manual) should always be run 1-2 times after inserting the remanufactured toner cartridges or ink cartridges.

Place the clogged nozzles in a shallow dish filled with warm water and soak them until dried ink begins to flow freely from the nozzles. After several minutes of letting the dried ink flow, remove the nozzle from the water and gently dry it with a soft tissue or cotton swab. Reinstall the cartridge and run the print head cleaning mechanism (described in your printer's operating manual). If this does not work, repeat the procedure. If your printer cartridge still does not print after repeating, you will need to purchase a new cartridge because the print head of your existing print cartridge is probably damaged.

NO! This is a common misperception by all printer owners. OEM's have threatened in the past to void printer warranties when cartridges are refilled (or non OEM cartridges are used). Legislation has since prohibited OEM's from voiding warranties for this reason. For more information, search the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement and the Sherman & Clayton Antitrust Acts.

Cartridges should always be handled with care. Do not touch the nozzles. You should keep your cartridges in the protective wrapping until you place them in the printer. If you keep empty cartridges to refill later, they should be stored in an air tight container until you refill them.

Using the syringe supplied in your ink refill kit, inject air into the air vent to clean the nozzles. A small amount of ink should be emitted from the nozzles upon injection. If this procedure is ineffective, fill a small dish with warm water and soak the nozzles for approximately 1 hour. After soaking, dry the nozzle using a soft tissue or cotton swab and inject air into the air vent. Reinstall the cartridge, making sure to run the print head cleaning utility (described in your printer's operating manual), and attempt to print again.

Check if the cartridge is empty. If it is not, place the cartridge on a soft tissue, allowing some ink to leak out. Allow the nozzle to then sit for a few minutes before gently wiping it with a soft tissue or cotton swab. Reinstall the cartridge, run the print head cleaning utility (described in your printer's operating manual) and attempt to print again.

First check to make sure the rubber stopper is properly placed within the refill hole. If the stopper is properly placed and ink is still flowing, the bladder inside the cartridge has most likely been damaged. You will need to purchase a new cartridge. You can still temporarily use the cartridge by covering the top air vent with a piece of scotch or masking tape.

Using a soft tissue or cotton swab, clean any ink from the nozzle. Reinstall the cartridge, run the print head cleaning utility (described in your printer's operating manual), and attempt to print again. Overfilling your cartridge can often cause this problem.