I've had this exact problem with an Epson printer. The cartridges in some comsumer level cheap printers will dry out almost overnight. That's why I stick to Canon photo printers.

This process can work, but it's a bit messy: remove the cartridge, being carefull not to touch the contact area. Fold a paper towel over a few times and soak a big spot on it with denatured alcohol. Lay the cartridge on the towel with the ink nozzles on the alcohol soaked area. If the cartridge doesn't lay flat, use some sort of shim to level it. Leave it there for 15-30 minutes. Gently wipe off the excess alcohol and desolved ink from the nozzle area and re-install the cartridge. Do the cleaning from the maintenance screen.

This has usually worked for me. Be advised that some printers are just naturally prone to cartridge drying. Maybe they sell a lot of those over-priced cartridges that way...

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