A fountain pen that won’t write anymore, or whose flow is irregular… Don’t panic! In the vast majority of cases, a few simple steps are enough to bring it back to life. Here are the 7 most common causes and how to fix them, from the simplest to the most technical.

1. The ink has dried in the feed

This is the most common cause, especially after a long period without use: the ink dries and deposits can form inside the feed. The solution: rinse the section (nib + feed) with warm water, for example with a little dish soap, and let it soak for several hours, even overnight. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and let it dry for several hours.

2. The nib is clogged

Dried ink residue between the tines of the nib prevents the ink from flowing. Soaking for a few hours in lukewarm water, possibly with a drop of mild dish soap, dissolves the deposits. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

3. The reservoir is empty or poorly filled

It may seem obvious, but incomplete filling (piston not fully operated, cartridge not properly seated, converter not primed) is common. Check the ink level; with a new cartridge, be patient: the ink sometimes takes a minute to reach the nib.

4. An air bubble is blocking the feed

After filling, an air bubble can interrupt the flow. Hold the pen nib-down and tap it gently, or draw a few strokes to prime it. You can also purge a small drop of ink by operating the piston slightly.

5. The nib tines are spread apart or misaligned

If the pen writes too dry or scratches the paper, the two tines of the nib may be misaligned. This is a delicate adjustment: on an everyday pen you can attempt a very careful adjustment, but on an old or valuable piece it is better to entrust this work to a specialist so as not to damage it. Indeed, it is often necessary to heat the nib to adjust or straighten it, after removing it, to avoid damaging the resin or lacquer surround, for example.

6. An unsuitable ink

Some inks that are too thick, heavily pigmented or old flow poorly, or even clog the feed. Choose a good-quality fountain pen ink. After changing ink, a thorough rinse prevents clogging mixtures.

7. A mechanical fault (especially on vintage pens)

On vintage pens, the failure often comes from the filling system: a hardened or split latex sac, a dry piston seal, a cracked feed. These repairs require disassembly and specific parts — this is the domain of restoration.

When to call in an expert?

If, after cleaning and checking the filling, your pen still won’t write — or if it is an old or precious piece — entrust it to a specialist rather than risk damaging it. At Aretoile, we restore and maintain collectible pens. If we can’t offer you a solution, we can point you to a helpful contact or specialist.