How to store a hp inkjet printer through the summer in Arizona

[Seenalot]

As a snowbird I have to leave an unattended Inkjet printer in AZ in an empty mobile home with no services for about eight months a year. I also leave one in a temperate climate for four months but with a heating system keeping it warm. So coming back to plugged ink jets in AZ is a common problem. HP inkjets seem to accept (sample of one) and Canon (sample of two)  limited jet cleaning cycles before the electronics fail. I feel guilty throwing out a two year old printer that will accept new cartridges (but not be able to print with them - my most recent experience) so is the only way forward buy a new printer and never replace cartridges?

[TEJ1602]

@Seenalot, Welcome to HP Support Community!

I understand you are unable to use the printer due to dried ink cartridges. Follow the steps below to handle and store inks-

• Keep ink cartridges sealed in the original package until they are installed. Store at temperatures between -15 and 35 degrees Celsius (5 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

• To keep cartridges from drying out, always turn the printer off using the Power button, and wait until the Power light goes out before you pull the plug or turn off a power strip. This allows the printer to move the cartridges to a capped position.

• If you remove a cartridge from the printer for any reason, try to replace it again as soon as possible. Outside of the printer, if unprotected, cartridges begin to dry out. If the printer uses separate ink cartridges and printhead, the printhead can be damaged if cartridges are not installed.

• If you must store a cartridge outside of the printer, follow the guidelines in “Storing Opened Cartridges and Printheads”.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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[Seenalot]

From TEJ1602 information it seems HP should indicate which printers have print heads and which ones use print heads in the ink cartridges. This would perhaps indicate if cartridge storage in a sealed container with a moisture addition would be better that just parking the heads. I suspect removing the cartridges when the ink heads are in the printer would lead to the heads drying out. 

[TEJ1602 · Accepted solution]

@Seenalot

Thanks for replying!

When there is no ink installed there won't be any ink residue on the printhead and even if that is the case, cleaning the printhead would always help. The HP inkjet printers with printhead can go up to 3 cycles of cleaning to clear any print quality issues.

I hope that answers your concern adequately. Let me know!

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Seenalot]

Thanks for your prompt response. The ink head cleanings you mention the three cycles is that consecutive cleanings OR are they lifetime for the printer? 

My conclusion is the sealed plastic container with some wet paper towel is first choice. Slightly more work than leaving the cartridges in. The printer will power down without cartridges installed thereby parking the heads if they are in the printr.

[TEJ1602]

@Seenalot

It is consecutive cleanings and not for a lifetime. 

Cheers 🙂