Ballpoint pens have a fluid ink that does not dry out easily and that responds well to various pressure levels. Unfortunately, they also have a tendency to suddenly stop working. If you've tried scribbling circles on a piece of paper but haven't been successful, don't give up yet. You may be able to get the pen to write again, at least momentarily, with a little warmth. If this method does not work, in some cases you will be successful by dipping the tip of the pen in alcohol or another solvent. Other times the problem is that the sphere has become stuck or a space has been created between the ink and the tip, so you can try to move it with friction or using gravity. If none of the methods described work, but you don't want to throw away your favorite pen, you may be able to replace the cartridge.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Restart the Pen Using Heat
Step 1. Hold the tip of the pen near a flame for a few seconds to release the ink
Make a flame with a lighter, match or candle, then place the outermost part of the pen tip inside the flame for a few seconds. In many cases, the heat will melt the caked ink near the tip and the pen will start working again.
- Be careful not to burn yourself and not to melt the pen. Keep only the tip of the tip in the flame and for no more than 2-3 seconds.
- If you are afraid of melting the plastic part of the pen, remove the cartridge first. This way, it will be easier to heat only the tip.
- Quickly scribble on a piece of paper so you can run the ink and see if the pen works.
Advise:
by wrapping the tip of the pen with aluminum foil, you will protect it from the flame. However, it will take longer for the heat to heat the ink enough for it to flow again.
Step 2. If you prefer not to use an open flame, boil the pen for 5 minutes
If you are afraid of burning yourself or melting the pen, heat the ink with hot water. Boil some water in a pot on the stove, then pour it into a cup. Leave the pen in the water for about 5 minutes, with the tip pointing down, then test it on a paper.
If the pen has metal parts, dry it well to prevent corrosion. You can also take it apart and just dip the cartridge if you don't want to get the rest of the pen wet
Step 3. Heat the pen gently with a hair dryer or hot air gun for DIY projects
If you are afraid that an open flame or boiling water will damage the pen, heat it with a hair dryer at maximum power. To get a slightly more intense heat you can use a hot air gun. Warm the tip of the pen for a few seconds at a time, then try to write.
Do not use an industrial hot air gun! It is a tool that produces a lot of heat and would probably melt the pen
Method 2 of 3: Splash the Pen with Solvent
Step 1. Spit on the tip to lubricate the ball
This method may make you a little creepy, but saliva can act as a mild lubricant or solvent and unclog the tip of your pen. If you don't like the idea of licking the tip of the pen, spit a few drops of saliva on your finger or handkerchief and use them to wet the ball. At that point, scribble on a sheet of paper and check if the pen writes again.
Ballpoint pen ink is usually non-toxic, so don't worry, you won't feel bad if you lick the tip of the pen. All slightly toxic components, such as glycols, are present in such small quantities that they cannot cause harm
Step 2. Dip the tip of the pen in alcohol or acetone to dissolve the lumps
If the ink has dried, you may be able to re-flow it by diluting it with a solvent. Dip the tip of the pen in alcohol or acetone, then scribble on a sheet of paper to check if the pen has started working again.
Almost all ballpoint pens have oil-based ink, part of the reason it's so difficult to remove their stains from clothing. Solvents, such as alcohol, are more effective at diluting oil-based inks than water
Step 3. Try acetone if alcohol doesn't work
Acetone is a more aggressive solvent that could unclog the pen if alcohol wasn't effective enough. Dip the tip of the pen in some acetone based nail polish remover, it might work.
- The fumes of acetone are annoying, so always use this substance in well-ventilated areas.
- Try to dip only the tip of the pen in acetone, as it may damage some types of plastic.
Advise:
If you don't have alcohol or acetone on hand, try kerosene, white spirit, or WD-40 as they may work just the same.
Method 3 of 3: Restarting the Pen with Friction and Gravity
Step 1. Scratch the tip on a rubbery surface to slide the ball
When scribbling on paper doesn't work, in some cases you can make a blocked sphere move by rubbing it on a rubbery surface. Write on a rubber or shoe sole.
Alternatively, some people have had success writing on glass (like on a mirror)
Step 2. Shake the pen to let the ink flow towards the bottom of the cartridge
In some cases, ballpoint pens stop working because a gap or bubble forms between the barrel and the tip. Grab the part of the pen opposite the sphere in your fingers and shake it vigorously, as if you were trying to reset an old thermometer. When you're done, try typing to see if it works.
You can also try tapping the pen firmly on a hard surface, such as the edge of a desk or table
Advise:
to prevent the ink from drifting away from the tip, store the pen in a cup or pen holder with the tip facing down.
Step 3. If the cartridge is large enough, push the ink down with a cotton swab
If your pen has a large reservoir, you may be able to push the ink towards the tip. Unscrew the pen and remove the cartridge, then remove the cap that closes it. Push a cotton swab inside and apply gentle pressure on the liquid. Put the pen back and try it on.
- If the cartridge is too small and a cotton swab doesn't fit, use a thinner object, such as a paper clip.
- If the swab gets stained with ink, throw it away immediately so that nothing gets dirty.
Advice
- Some good quality ballpoint pens have cartridges that can be replaced or refilled. If you really want to keep your ballpoint pen that no longer writes, search the internet or check if you can buy a refill at a local stationery. Make sure the refill fits your pen.
- Some modern ballpoint pens have small plastic caps over the tip to protect it and prevent it from staining. Make sure you take them off when trying to write.
- While some of these methods may work, there is no 100% reliable remedy for unlocking a ballpoint pen. If your pen still won't write and you can't easily replace the cartridge, it's probably time to buy a new one.
