Why does my pen not work even though it has ink?

Similarly, if your new pen is not working try shaking the pen. Air bubbles can get inside the cartridge but shaking them will push the ink towards the nib ready for writing. This can also help get the ink moving. Remember, ballpoint pens use a thicker ink so may need some perseverance when trying to get the ink flow.

How do you fix a ballpoint pen that skips?

If your rollerball pen is skipping frequently, the best place to start is by trying the methods we mentioned for when your pen has dried out. Shake it, run it under warm water, apply pressure to it, it’s all worth a try. The most likely cause of this issue, however, is the way you hold the pen.

How do I get my ballpoint pen to work?

The first method to resolve a clogged ballpoint pen is to apply more pressure and draw scribbles and vertical lines on a piece of paper. If this method does not work, then dip the very tip of the pen in rubbing alcohol. [just the tip] This will dissolve any dried up or ink that has hardened on the tip.

How do you clean a ballpoint pen tip?

Dampen the end of paper towel with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the tip of the pen thoroughly with the rubbing alcohol to remove any dried ink around the tip. Hold the tip of the pen at the top of the flame of a cigarette lighter, or other flame source, for a two seconds.

Why do ballpoint pens have a rough surface?

For ballpoint pens, this probably isn’t so important – the ink is very viscous. But paper also has a rough surface – and this might be crucial, as already suggested by Lord Strykerin his comment. The rough paper surface provides friction, allows the tungsten carbide ball to roll, take up ink and spread it on the paper.

Why is my pen not writing on the paper?

The answer here, in most cases, is rather simple. Often this situation arises when you have been working on that particular piece of paper for a while. What happens is oils from your fingers become embedded in the paper and the pen is unable to write on the “slippery” surface.

Does the ballpoint pen write on the oily spot?

Result: The ballpoint pen does not write on the oily spot. Did you fat-fingerthe paper? EDIT The experiment above confirmed the finding in the question but didn’t give an explanation.

How does the ball of a pen work?

The ball rotates freely and rolls out the ink as it is continuously fed from the ink reservoir (usually a narrow plastic tube filled with quick drying ink). While writing, we use to apply pressure on the pen which will force the ball to move inside the groove of the pen.