How do you fix a pen that won’t click?

Having a pen that won’t click can be incredibly frustrating. You go to take notes or sign a document and nothing happens when you press the pen’s button. Before you toss the pen in the trash and buy a new one, there are several fixes you can try to get your pen clicking again.

What Causes a Pen Not to Click?

There are a few common reasons a pen may stop clicking:

• Ink is dried up or jammed
• Internal spring is worn out
• Ballpoint tip is stuck or bent
• Debris built up inside the pen

The most typical culprit is dried up ink. Pens rely on ink flowing smoothly in order to function. When the ink starts to dry up and coagulate, it can clog the inner mechanisms and prevent the ballpoint from extending or retracting.

The internal spring activating the click can also wear out over time after hundreds or thousands of clicks. The spring loses its tension and can no longer push or pull the tip in and out.

If the ballpoint tip itself is damaged or caked with dried ink, this can also jam the system and stop the pen from clicking. Finally, pocket lint, dust, and other debris that works its way into the pen can build up and gum up the inner workings.

Step 1: Check the Ink Flow

The first thing to check with a non-clicking pen is whether ink will still flow out of it. Take off the pen cap and try writing with the pen. If no ink comes out despite pressing hard on the paper, the ink tube inside is likely blocked.

You can try the following to get the ink flowing again:

• Shake the pen vigorously for 30 seconds while uncapped.
• Run warm water over the ballpoint tip for 30 seconds.
• Draw lines on scrap paper to force ink through.
• Use compressed air to blow through the ballpoint tip.
• Insert a straightened paperclip into the tip to loosen debris.

Often a good shake and pressing the tip to paper will start the ink flowing out of a clogged pen. If ink won’t come out no matter what, the ink tube is fully blocked and the pen will need to be disassembled.

Step 2: Check for Spring Tension

If ink flows freely but the pen still won’t click, the issue is likely with the internal spring mechanism. The spring inside a click pen loses its tension over time and use, preventing it from retracting the tip.

To test the spring tension:

1. Remove the ink tube if possible.
2. Press the button and see if you meet resistance from the spring.
3. Does the tip extend and retract when you press the button?

If the button presses down with little or no tension, the spring is worn out. If the tip doesn’t pop in and out, the spring can’t generate enough force.

Step 3: Check for Tip Damage

Even with good ink flow and spring tension, a damaged ballpoint tip can prevent clicking. Examine the tip to see if it’s bent, worn down, or caked with dried ink.

Try cleaning off any ink with a paperclip, gentle scraping, and warm water. If the tip is slightly bent, use light pressure from needle-nose pliers to straighten it out.

If the tip is too far gone, you’ll need to replace it. Make sure to get the right replacement tip for your pen model. Friction-fit tips can often be pulled straight out while others may be screwed in.

Step 4: Flush Debris from Inner Chamber

The final culprit for a stuck pen is particulate debris obstructing the inner workings. Tiny bits of lint, dirt, and old ink can build up in the chamber over years of use.

To flush it out:

1. Fill a bowl with warm water.
2. Remove the ink tube if possible.
3. Activate the button rapidly several times while tip is submerged.
4. Change out the water until it runs clear.

The turbulence from rapid clicking will wash out the inner chamber. Blow out any remaining water with compressed air before returning the ink tube.

Fixing Common Pen Types

Here are some tips for troubleshooting specific pen models:

Ballpoint Pens

• Disassemble the pen down to the spring and tip components.
• Check for dried ink or debris clogging the ballpoint socket.
• Replace the spring if it’s warped or has reduced tension.

Rollerball Pens

• Remove rollerball tip and flush ink system by clicking button.
• Clean ball socket with cotton swab and rinse under water.
• If ink won’t flow, try removing cartridge and gently blowing air through back end.

Gel Pens

• Check gel ink cartridge – replace if ink is coagulated or hard.
• Wipe down gel ball tip with isopropyl alcohol to remove ink buildup.
• Clean socket area of tip with cotton swab and water.

Fountain Pens

• Flush ink system several times with cool water to clear any clogs.
• Gently blow air through nib to remove excess water.
• Refill pen, taking care not to overfill or get ink in outer cap.

When to Replace a Broken Pen

While most pens can be fixed, sometimes parts just wear out beyond repair. Here are signs it may be time to replace your pen:

• Spring has lost all tension and won’t retract tip.
• Ink tube is cracked or split.
• Ballpoint, rollerball, or nib is badly worn or damaged.
• Button gets stuck down when pressed.
• Barrel is cracked or split.

Replacement parts like springs, tips, and ink tubes can often be found even for cheap pens. But extensive repairs usually aren’t worth the effort for low-cost pens. High-end pens may warrant repairs or custom parts.

Preventing Future Pen Problems

To keep your pen clicking smoothly for years to come, follow these pen care tips:

• Store pen vertically when not in use.
• Keep pen in shirt pocket rather than pants pocket.
• Don’t lend your pen to others.
• Use high quality ink that flows well.
• Avoid pressing hard when writing.
• Clean any ink or dirt off the tip regularly.

With proper care and maintenance, a quality pen should last for years of service. But even the best pens fail eventually. By knowing how to diagnose and fix a stuck pen, you can get every last drop of use before it’s time to buy a new one.

Pen Type	Common Issues	Repair Methods
Ballpoint	Dried ink, damaged tip, debris	Flush ink, clean socket, replace spring
Rollerball	Ink coagulation, dirty ball	Flush ink system, clean ball with alcohol
Gel	Dried gel ink, clogged tip	Replace ink cartridge, clean ball with alcohol
Fountain	Clogged nib, dried ink	Water flush, air blow nib clear

Conclusion

It can be incredibly frustrating when your favorite pen stops clicking properly. But before you throw it out, try the troubleshooting steps outlined here to get it working again. Diagnose the specific problem, whether it’s dried ink, loss of spring tension, tip damage, or inner debris. Then utilize the right repair techniques for that pen model to clear clogs, flush parts, and replace worn components. With a little DIY maintenance, you can often extend the life of a pen and save the cost of buying replacements. Learning proper pen care can also prevent headaches down the road.