Hi Nikilet,

I would suggest you to try the below mentioned steps:

• To clean the Nozzles using the Operator Panel follow the steps given below.

1.Load paper in the printer.

2.Press “Copy.”

3.Press” Options” until “Maintenance” appears on the display.

4.Press” + “until Clean appears on the display.

5.Press “Select”. A nozzle page prints, forcing ink through the clogged nozzles to clean them.

6.Print your document again to verify that your print quality has improved.

• To clean the Nozzles using the Printer Software:

1.Load paper in the printer.

2.Click Start -> All Programs (or Programs) -> Dell Printers -> Dell AIO Printer A960 -> Dell Printer Solution Center.

3.From the Maintenance tab, click Clean to fix horizontal streaks.

4.Click Print. A nozzle page prints, forcing ink through the nozzles to clean the clogged nozzles.

5.Print your document again to verify that your print quality has improved.

6.If the print quality is not improved then manually wipe the ink cartridge nozzles. Follow the steps below to wipe the ink cartridge.

• Wipe the Ink Cartridge Nozzles and Contacts:

1.Remove the ink cartridges.

2.Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with water.

3.Gently hold the cloth against the nozzles for about three seconds, and then wipe the nozzle of the ink cartridge in one direction

4.Clean the cartridge container with the lint free cloth. Make sure there are no traces of ink in the cartridge container.

5.Wait for 3-4 minutes to let the water dry on the cartridge and the container.

6.Reinsert the ink cartridge.

7.Print your document again and check.

• Aligning the ink cartridges after installing new cartridges could solve print quality problems.

Follow the steps from the Operator Panel of the printer to align the ink cartridge:

1.Load plain paper.

2.On the operator panel press” Copy”.

3.Press” Options “until Maintenance appears.

4.Press “+ “until Align appears, and then press “Select”. Alignment Page Printing appears on the display and an alignment page prints. Once the alignment page prints, the automatic alignment is complete.

• Follow the steps from the Printer Software to Automatically Align Ink Cartridges

When automatically aligning your ink cartridges, a page prints with vertical, horizontal, and slanted lines.

1.Load paper in the printer.

2.Click Start -> All Programs (or Programs) ->  Dell Printers -> Dell AIO Printer A960 -> Dell Printer Solution Center.

3.From the Maintenance tab, click “Align to fix blurry edges”.

4.Click “Print”. An alignment page prints.

Please try to print a document and check the color of black ink. If the problem persists and as the black ink cartridge was already been replaced for the same problem then the problem could be with the printhead of printer.

Please revert with the results.

 

I thank you for all the time and consideration you put into your reply. I must tell you that I had already done all of this.

Through using the "cleaning" option a number of times I finally got this brand new black cartridge to print decently.

This proves that the person from Dell chat that I was talking to did not know what he was talking about in wanting to hook me up with a remote session in order to "fix my printer." I got quite upset with him and for that I am truly sorry. But it is so frustrating ... First, to barely be able to understand a word he said, and secondly that no consideration was being given to what I was trying to say.

There is nothing wrong with this printer, but there is something wrong with the Dell black cartridges I've been purchasing. The colored ones are fine.

Unless ... Is there any possibility that the level shown on the graph is not correct? I really doubt this but just putting it forth.

Is there any way to get satisfaction from Dell on these cartridges when they are not good? It used to be there was no arguing about something like this. Quite a number of years ago I had trouble with a black cartridge and there was absolutely no questioning the issue. I called and reported it and they sent me out two for my trouble. Now I can't even get a simple replacement. These cartridges are expensive. In fact, if this printer didn't work so well I would look for another option -- something smaller and something that wasn't such an ink hog.

Nikilet,

 

Are you using Dell Series 2 ink cartridges, generic or refilled cartridges?

 

If you unplug the printer from the wall and remove the power brick for 60 seconds, this will reset any error message the printer has. Then power on the printer and open it up. Try taking out the black Dell Series 2 ink cartridge and reseat it. Do the same for the color cartridge. Close the printer and it will try to print an alignment page.

Any error messages?

black cartridge = black side(left side)          color cartridge = color side(right side)

Photo cartridge = black side(left side)          color cartridge = color side(right side)

Dell Series 2 ink cartridges have a sensor in them that cannot be reset. Article on refilling Dell ink cartridges.

Dell Series 2 ink cartridges can be purchased at Staples, Walmart or Dell's Website.

It's possible to get a Dell Series 2 ink cartridge with a bad sensor. I would that these back to the place of purchase for a replacement or a refund.

Rick

I am using genuine Dell Series 2 ink cartridges. I have always ordered my ink cartridges directly from Dell. They have not been refilled or anything like that.

Again, I have already done what you are suggesting above. When I said I tried everything, I mean everything except standing on my head. I am going to have to order more ink cartridges and I'm concerned because I know for sure the last two I used were only good for about half the cartridge and then I had to toss them. And, because of the way this new one that I just put in acted, I am afraid this one is going to end up being bad also. As I said before, they are just too expensive to put up with this.

I am not trying to pull a fast one to get free ink. I'm trying to address a legitimate problem I have been having with Dell black ink cartridges. When I talked to that guy from Dell recently, he put me on hold forever and when he came back  he made no offer of making good on any of these cartridges. As I stated, he wanted to hook me up with a remote session (which I am sure would have cost me an arm and a leg) to fix my printer.

I have never tried buying them from anyone but Dell. Guess maybe I will try Walmart. The problem with getting refunds on these cartridges is that, for me at least, they don't seem to go bad until the cartridge is about half empty, and I am just a home user so I don't do a huge amount of printing.

Nikilet,

 

It is possible to get a malfunctioning Dell Series 2 ink cartridge. Contact Dell for a replacement.

 

Some people put their printers in a drafty area, in front of vents and they dry out the ink cartridges.

 

 

Rick

AS I've already mentioned, I did contact Dell. The person I talked to made no mention or efforts towards replacing the cartridges, even though I specifically asked. He wanted to set me up with a remote session so someone could FIX my printer. I told him there was nothing wrong wih my printer. He annoyed me so badly, because of this and because I couldn't understand him, that I'm afraid I was raising my voice and I'm not proud of that.

I just ordered black and colored Dell Series 2 cartridges from Walmart. Guess it can't hurt to try because I've had 2 bad ones in a row from Dell, and actually, I think you can make that 3 because this new one I just put it isn't going to make it far. And Dell apparently isn't going to do anything about it. Might as well try Walmart -- although it all comes from the same place I suppose. At least it's a few dollars cheaper.

Nikilet,

 

Printers are usually simple machines.

 

All-In-One printers should be able to copy a document under the glass. If you cannot, then it something on the printer itself.

 

This model printer, the printhead for the printer is on the Dell Series 2 ink cartridge.

 

 

Rick

No problems with making copies. I have had this all-in-one for over 5 years. Other than the large size of it, I couldn't ask for a better unit. It has been and STILL IS a really excellent machine, which is the only reason I haven't purchased a newer, smaller one.

Why does everyone want to bring it back to the printer? There is NOTHING wrong with the printer. It's the ink cartridges!!!!

Nikilet,

 

If the printer does not make copies, then it's something with the printer, usually the ink cartridges. The printer has to be able to function to install.

 

If the problem is with printing and we know it copies, then it can be a drive issue.

 

If the printer can print and copy, if it cannot scan, then we check to see if the OCR Program is installed. If the OCR Program is installed, then we check to make sure to Update list of applications to send scans to

 

Firewalls and virus programs can also block communications.

 

 

Rick