Printer maintenance

[Chaotic42]

Hey guys. I have a Lexmark X2250 3-in-1.

It's been a while since I've printed with it. I have a 75% full black and 99% full color cartredge.

The print-outs are horrible. The black is fuzzy and faint, only red prints as far as the colors are concerned. What can I do? I don't want to buy new ink because this wussy ink can't sit up for a little while.

Is there anything I can do here?

 

[Zepper]

You should be able to try running some deep cleaning cycles from the priter driver. Unfortunately Lexmark inkjets are fashizzle out da wazizzle in so many ways it isn't funny. They do still make a decent laser printer or two though.
.bh.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yeah, just clean those print heads and you should be good to go.

You might have to run it more than once... and it tends to eat up a lot of ink 🙁

I think printers are the most frustrating computer component.

 

[Chaotic42]

Thanks guys. I just cleaned the cartidges with a damp cloth and it works fine.

:beer:

 

[n7]

Not to rain on your parade by any means, but [for next time you buy a printer or AIO], i would never ever recommend a Lexmark inkjet.
Laser, maybe.

With regards to inkjets:

Epson & Canon > HP for ink cost & quality.
HP > Epson & Canon for reliability & maintenance.
Brother...not sure where they fit in...their only strong point seems to be they are solid office-type machines.
Lexmark....they don't don't even belong in my charts.

 

[wseyller]

Lexmark printer are horrible, even the lasers. HP is the way to go for lasers.
HP is reliable for inkjet as far as printer lasting a long time. Hp oem and one or two branded aftermarket inks hold up well also, they just cost more than some. Canon seems to be good all around with thier inkjets. Epson inkjets have good quality prints and has a decent cost of ink, but the printer die easily.

 

[shortylickens]

I am sure this is beating a dead horse and most people know my opinions on printers already but........

I have to support Wseyller. All Lexmarks are crap. Thats why the Navy IT provider (NMCI) buys so many. To help keep jobs.
HP makes great lasers. If you really dont need color, go for a cheap black laser. The cartridge for an HP LJ 1000 costs $45 if you look around. It will print 4000 sheets with average use.
Lexmark ink cartridges cost about $30, and I seriously doubt you'll even get 100 good sheets with them.
And low-end color lasers get cheaper every year. HP and Konica Minolta both have a color laser for about 400 dollars and they come with 1 black and 3 color toner cartridges.

I do like quality inkjets that have seperate color cartridges. Much less wasteful. But I see less of those every year.