It’s always a dismal experience when you reach for a pen, and it doesn’t work. However, you can get a ballpoint pen to work again in a few ways. While it’s not difficult, it does require a little resourcefulness.
What Causes Ballpoint Pens to Stop Working?
There are several reasons why ballpoint pens stop working. Carefully take the pen apart and ensure you put the casing, springs, and other miniature parts in a safe place so you won’t lose anything. Inspect the pen and consider the following:
- The cartridge is Empty: if you look at the thin, long tube inside the pen, you may notice there’s no ink, or it’s almost out of ink. This means there’s no fixing it. You’ll either need a new cartridge or a new pen. For metal cartridges, hold it up into the light to see down the tube.
- Air Bubbles: Sometimes, the air gets trapped in the cartridge, preventing the ink from flowing freely. If you have a transparent cartridge, this will be visible with a tiny gap at some point in the line of ink. This is something that you can fix with the methods given below.
- Dry Ink: If the cap has been off of the pen for some time, the pen rested upright, or the pen’s nib experiences air exposure for far too long, this will dry out the ink and prevent it from flowing right. Once again, this is a fixable issue.
- Clogged Ink: If you notice a bunch of ink around the tip, but nothing comes out, it could mean that ink is caking throughout the nib and preventing proper oxygen flow into the cartridge. While you might be able to fix it, it may also indicate the pen exploded, and there’s no more ink inside the cartridge.
What Methods Are Best to Get a Ballpoint Pen Working Again?
If you believe you can fix your ink flow woes, there’s a step-by-step method you can try. Before you begin, grab a few pieces of scrap paper, a bit of cardboard, a lighter, rubbing alcohol, a small bowl of hot water, and some paper towels.
Then, try each step until you get the pen working again. The most important thing to remember is to be meticulous while exercising patience and temperance. It’s not worth it to waste time and energy on getting flustered or frustrated.
Step-by-Step Fixes
- First, scribble around one piece of scrap paper and then the cardboard. Sometimes, working the nib and warming it up through friction will do the trick. If not, shake the pen up and down (or back and forth). Then, attempt writing again with the pen. When nothing happens, continue with the subsequent steps.
- Lightly tap the tip of the pen several times on the scrap paper. This should help remove air bubbles and mix up fresh with dried ink. If you see any color begin coming out as you tap, try writing with the pen to see if anything comes out.
- If only a little ink comes out, try pinching the pen’s nib with your fingers for a few seconds to warm it up. Attempt to scribble with the pen again and see if that increases the ink flow.
- Now attempt using the lighter. Wave the nib tip over the hottest part of the flame, taking care not to melt the plastic casing. This will soften the elements within the ink and create a nice, smooth flow. Lightly tap the tip onto the scrap paper and then try writing. You may have to use the lighter several times before you see results.
- If you know you have a clogged nib, wipe off the tip with a piece of paper towel. Then try pouring a dab of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or pad. Roll the tip around until all the ink is free and clear. Once again, try to write with it to see if the problem clears up.
- Next, let the pen tip sit in a small glass of hot water. This will help melt and moisten dry ink and clean off a clogged nib. Let the pen rest there for a few moments; you can shake it around if you think it will help. Dry off the tip with a paper towel and try writing again.
Are There Any Other Tricks for a Ballpoint Pen?
Before you give up entirely after trying the steps above, let your pen rest for about 30 minutes to an hour. Sometimes, all the activity you just exposed the pen to takes a little to make its way through the whole cartridge. Then, go back to the first step – tap and scratch the pen on paper and then cardboard. But there are a few extra notes too.
Slippery Surfaces
There are moments where using a smooth, slippery surface will help to get the ink running again. You can use a mailing or shipping label on a package you received in the mail.
Ink Runs too Well
Set the cartridge upside down for a few seconds when you get the ink running, but it’s pouring out of the pen too much. Blow on the pen or use a fan if you use lighter or hot water.
Bite the Bullet
If you’ve done all these steps and still can’t get your ballpoint pen to work, it may be time to reach for or buy a new one. You could also replace the cartridge if that’s a feature of your ballpoint pen.
Conclusion
It isn’t the world’s end as frustrating as it can be for a ballpoint pen to stop working. You have to be patient and resourceful while pinpointing the problem and attempting to fix it. Sometimes these tricks will work beautifully, and other times, you have to accept the pen is at an end.