Q&A for How to Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen

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  • Question
    How do I get a Zebra Orbit pen to work again?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    First of all, try checking the cartridge to see if it looks like there's still ink inside. If not, your pen might need a refill. You can purchase new cartridges online or from an office supply store. Otherwise, try running hot water over the nib to get the ink flowing and dissolve clogs, or shake your pen to get any bubbles out.
  • Question
    What do I do if my dry ball point pen is dispensing ink poorly?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If the ink is skipping a lot, there could be bubbles or a clog in the ink. Heating the cartridge in warm water might help loosen things up. You can also try dipping the nib in alcohol or another solvent to dissolve any clogs.
  • Question
    Are the Scribble Stuff pens usable for this type of process?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you're using the gel pens, dipping the cartridge in warm or hot water might work. Most Scribble Stuff pens have marker tips and are not ballpoint pens, so you might have to use a different technique for those (such as injecting water into the tips or soaking them in vinegar).
  • Question
    How do I get the ink working on a Pilot BeGreen Precise V5?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The Pilot BeGreen is a rollerball pen, which is similar to a ballpoint but with less viscous ink. Check the cartridge first to see if it looks empty. If so, you'll need to purchase a replacement cartridge. Otherwise, you can try dipping the cartridge in hot water for a few minutes or shaking it down to get the ink flowing.
  • Question
    Will I get ink all over my mouth if I blow on the pen?
    Community Answer
    No, but if you're blowing into the cartridge, you may get a spray or spatter from the other end, so watch what you're pointing at. Also, make sure you don't suck in.
  • Question
    Why do you put it in water?
    Community Answer
    The pen is placed in water to heat the ink and allow it to be released like normal. When pens don't work very well, the ink has often dried out a bit, so putting it in water allows it to become more fluid and usable.
  • Question
    My pen has ink, but stops writing randomly. How can I fix it?
    Community Answer
    I recommend propping the pen up against something that will keep it point down for a few minutes. I had the same problem, and when I did it, the ink was flowing pretty well.
  • Question
    My ballpoint pens spit out ink in blobs, smudges, blurs, and big spots. How do I prevent this?
    Community Answer
    This can happen when the ball inside the tip has been nudged or scratched. It causes the tip to distribute ink in an odd way. It might be time for you to get a new pen. If you can't get a new pen, then consider getting a new point for your pen instead.
  • Question
    How do I restart a Pilot juice pen?
    AtlanticEX
    Community Answer
    Take a water sprayer and spray it once. This would get rid of air bubbles and make it run again. Note: This works on a few, and might fail on a few.
  • Question
    What should I do if my new, expensive pen runs out of ink?
    Community Answer
    First, make sure that the pen isn't just dry. Follow the steps in this article to get it working again. If the article does not help, get a refill cartilage. Depending on the type of pen you got, your pen might also have a warranty. Check the packaging and/or label. If the pen is under warranty, you might be able to get it replaced.
  • Question
    How do I restart my dry Wexford LIQUIDink Rollerball pen?
    Community Answer
    You can use these same methods on your rollerball.
  • Question
    How do I fix a 0.7 mm ballpoint that stopped working even though the ink cartridge is still full?
    Community Answer
    Try to replace the tip with another pen of the same model that has run out of ink. You could use a pair of scissors to pry it out. (Be careful, the ink may spill!) After replacing the tip, air bubbles may form. Attach the pen to the wheel of a bicycle or any wheel with the back of the pen facing the centre of the wheel and the tip facing outside. Spinning the wheel quickly for about 10-20 seconds will get rid of the air bubbles.
  • Question
    What do I do if my pen ink won't come out?
    Community Answer
    Double check to make sure you did all of the methods correctly. If that doesn't work, buy a new pen or cartridge.
  • Question
    What if it's a twisty pen, and I can't get the ink tube out?
    Community Answer
    Try methods that don't require the removal of the ink cartridge first. One example of this would be writing on rubber objects, such as soles of shoes and erasers.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have a new Faber-Castell pen and I have tried all of the methods, but none work?
    Community Answer
    First, check to see you followed all steps correctly, then, check to see if the ink is out. If not, then I'd suggest buying a new pen, and preferably not the same brand if you have issues with this brand often. The pen itself may just have problems.
  • Question
    I got a new Pilot Rexgrip pen, but from when I tried using it first, it did not work. Why?
    Community Answer
    It is an ink pen so it needs a cartridge. If you have already have put the cartridge in then try a different kind.
  • Question
    I think I might have written too hard with my Uniball Signo rt1 0.28mm because the ink just isn't coming out. It's new, what do I do?
    AtlanticEX
    Community Answer
    That happened like five times to me. First of all, check if there is still the ball. If not, then you have to switch the tip. If the ball is still there, take out some ice. Then start writing on it until you see ink flowing out. It would not be as dark and smooth as it used to be, but it is better than nothing.
  • Question
    How do I restart a glitter pen? Will this method work?
    Community Answer
    Is it a ball pen? If it's a rollerball or a ball pen, then it should work.
  • Question
    What can cause gaps in the flow of a pen that has ink in it?
    Community Answer
    Many gaps are caused by bubbles or air getting trapped in it. Try flicking the pen to get the air bubbles out.
  • Question
    How do I remove the tip from a pen cartridge?
    Community Answer
    Use a pair of pliers or some scissors to remove it.
  • Question
    I've pushed the ball in when writing. My words and letters are very faint now. Is there any way to fix it?
    Community Answer
    You could try removing the nib and using a needle to push the ball back out, but it would probably be much easier to just use a new pen.
  • Question
    What do I do with my Parker pen if it has full ink, but comes out light when it used to be darker?
    Community Answer
    Just put it in the freezer for 5 minutes, then slightly heat it. This freezes the ink, and it gets smooth and dark after heating.
  • Question
    My pen works, but it skips. How do I fix it?
    Community Answer
    First, give it a good cleaning using a wipe or mild soap and water. Dry carefully with a lint-free cloth in a straight line from the center to the edge. Rubbing in circles can cause more damage. If that doesn't do the trick, look for a scratch.
  • Question
    Why do red ink ballpoint pens stop writing so frequently?
    Jessica Kepschull
    Community Answer
    Red ink ballpoint pens usually stop writing frequently because there are lots of air bubbles in the ink.
  • Question
    What do I do if the ball is stuck inside the tip of a ball point pen?
    Community Answer
    Open up the top bit of your pen and get a wire or a paper clip and push it back down. If this method does not work, I am sorry to say it's time to buy another pen.
  • Question
    What would a kid do if they were trying to fix/revive their pen?
    Community Answer
    You can follow the steps in this article. However, be sure to get your parents permission first.
  • Question
    How do I restart my Pentonic ball pen?
    Community Answer
    Linc Pentonic has a tendency of shutting down right after a couple of days. Try to follow the methods given above. I'd suggest you to scribble on a surface like your desk and apply a small amount of pressure while you scribble on it for a couple of mins. (Don't do it unless your desk is old.) However, don't expect it to work well all the time because you might need to scribble on your desk with your Pentonic once more if it dries up again (which might happen quicker than you expect).
  • Question
    What do I do if my new pen does not have any ink coming out of it?
    Community Answer
    Return the pen from where you purchased it from and exchange for a new one.
  • Question
    My pen is new. I tried everything but it still isn’t working. I don’t want to buy a new cartridge because it is new and because it is an orange pen. What else could I try?
    Community Answer
    Some pens have a small blob of sealant on the tip to keep them from drying out before they are used. Look closely at the tip and see if it has a small clear piece of sealant on the nib. If it does, pick the blob off with your thumbnail and it will work just fine.
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