Ink Bubbles When Testing Cartridges? Causes, Fixes, and How to Prevent Printer Leaks!

Question: Thanks for the video. I encountered a problem with one of my cartridges. When I try to put air into the cartridge (20 ml), instead of pushing the air back, ink bubbles are coming out. Is the cartridge still safe to use, or could this cause an issue?

Answer: 

To address your concern, when you attempt the air pressure test on a cartridge and notice ink bubbles coming out instead of the air being pushed back, this typically indicates one of the following:

1. Excess Pressure or Overfilling: The most common cause for ink bubbling out during the air pressure test is an overfilled cartridge. If the cartridge is too full, there isn’t enough space to hold the air, which causes the ink to leak or bubble out when pressure is applied. This excess pressure can lead to:

   • Ink leaks inside the printer

   • Poor or inconsistent print performance

   • Ink clogging the printhead over time

2. Compromised Internal Seal: If the cartridge has a damaged or weak internal seal, air may not circulate correctly inside the cartridge chamber, resulting in ink being forced out rather than the pressure stabilizing. While not as common, this issue can affect the cartridge’s ability to perform reliably.

What You Should Do:

Here’s a step-by-step method to address the issue and determine if the cartridge is still usable:

1. Release Excess Ink:

   • Carefully remove a small amount of ink from the cartridge using a syringe.

   • This reduces pressure and creates more space for air to circulate properly.

2. Reattempt the Air Pressure Test:

   • After removing excess ink, test the cartridge again by gently applying air pressure.

   • If the air stabilizes without ink bubbling out, the cartridge is likely safe to use.

3. Check for Leaks:

   • Hold the cartridge upright and inspect for any signs of ink leakage.

   • If you see leaking ink, it may indicate an internal problem, and the cartridge might not be reliable for regular use.

While cartridges with minor excess pressure may still function, there’s a risk of leaks or inconsistent print quality. I recommend performing the steps above to ensure the cartridge is stabilized before using it in your printer.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it might take a few weeks before we can evaluate your printer after drop-off.

Our services include repair of entire printers or specific parts, with clear instructions provided for each process. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical option. For cost-conscious customers, we highly recommend exploring self-help options via online resources. A great starting point is our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" section on the channel homepage to find videos on specific topics. We’ve created hundreds of videos over the past nine years, so this search function is often the fastest way to find the help you need. Additionally, YouTube may suggest related videos from other creators that could also assist you.