Clean The Print Head Nozzles (Mac OS X)

The following contains instructions to check the nozzles for poor print quality and perform print head nozzle cleanings. If print results are faint or streaks are printed, the print head nozzles may be clogged. To improve print quality, perform print head cleanings or print head deep cleanings.

Caution: Only used the approved methods below to clean the print head. Use of other methods may further clog the nozzles on the print head and may cause permanent damage the print head.

Note: It is important to check the cleaning results by printing Nozzle Check Pattern after each cleaning. Cleaning and Deep Cleaning consumes a certain amount of ink. Only perform a cleanings when necessary.

1. Launch the IJ Printer Utility.
   Click here to launch the utility.
   
   
2. From the pop-up menu, select 'Test Print'.
   
   
   
   The layout of the Maintenance sheet varies depending on the printer you are using.
   
   
3. Click the 'Nozzle Check' icon.
   
   
   
   
   The layout of the Maintenance sheet varies depending on the printer you are using.
   
   
4. After Checking that letter-size plain paper is set in the rear tray, click 'Print Check Pattern'. The nozzle check pattern printing will start.
   
   Note: By clicking Initial Check Items before clicking Print Check Pattern, you can see the specific confirmation items in Nozzle Check.
   
   
   
   
5. Examine the nozzle check pattern output.
   
   1. When the output is normal:
      You should not see any missing lines in pattern (1) or horizontal white streaks in pattern (2).
      
      
      
      The pattern may vary depending on the printer.
      
      
      
   2. When the output is not normal:
      
      1. You will see missing lines pattern 1.
         If there are missing lines, cleaning is required.
         
         
         
         (A) Good
         (B) Bad (lines are missing)
         
         
      2. You will see horizontal white streaks in pattern 2 for any color.
         If there are horizontal white streaks, cleaning is required.
         
         
         
         (A) Good
         (B) Bad (horizontal white streaks are present)
         
         
6. Determine whether the pattern is normal or not, and perform the following:
   
   1. When the output is normal, click 'Quit' to finish the pattern check.
      
   2. When the output is not normal, click 'Cleaning' to perform print head cleaning.
      
      Note: When printing a Nozzle Check Pattern from a printer which does not use a black ink cartridge, the Black pattern will not be printed on the paper and the BK pattern will not appear in the Pattern Check window.
      
      
      The pattern may vary depending on the printer.
      
      
7. At the Cleaning window, choose the target group to clean and then Click 'OK'. Print head cleaning starts.
   
   1. To clean all colors, confirm a check appears in All Colors (BK, C, M, Y) box and then click 'OK'.
      
      
      
      
   2. To clean specific colors, remove the check beside All Colors (BK, C, M, Y) box, select the appropriate color and then click 'OK'.
      
      
      
      
      Note:
      * Print head cleaning consumes a certain amount of ink. Do print head cleaning only when necessary.
      
      * By clicking Initial Check Items before clicking Print Check Pattern, you can see the specific confirmation items in Nozzle Check.
      
      
      
      
      
      The Power lamp will blink and print head cleaning of the print head nozzles starts. The blink stops when print head cleaning is over.
      
      Until print head cleaning completes, do not try other operations. Print head cleaning will take about 60 seconds.
      
      
8. Print the Nozzle Check Pattern to examine the print head status.
   
   
9. Click 'Print Check Pattern'. Nozzle check pattern printing will start.
   
   Note: By clicking Initial Check Items before clicking Print Check Pattern, you can see the specific confirmation items in Nozzle Check.
   
   
   
   
10. Examine the printed Nozzle Check Pattern. The examination method is the same as the step 5 and 6.
    
    
11. Perform print head cleaning again. (Same as steps 6b to 7.)
    
    
12. If the pattern is still abnormal, perform print head deep cleaning.
    
    Note: Print head deep cleaning consumes a larger amount of ink than normal cleaning. Perform print head deep cleaning only when necessary.
    

Print Head Deep Cleaning:

1. From the pop-up menu, select 'Cleaning'.
   
   
   The layout of the Maintenance sheet varies depending on the printer you are using.
   
   
2. Click 'Deep Cleaning'.
   
   
   
   The layout of the Maintenance sheet varies depending on the printer you are using.
   
   Note: Selecting Deep Cleaning will allow you to select All Colors BK, C, M, Y or Black BK.
   
   
3. Click 'OK'. Print head deep cleaning starts.
   
   Note: By clicking Initial Check Items before clicking Print Check Pattern, you can see the specific confirmation items in Nozzle Check.
   
   
   
   The Power lamp will blink and print head cleaning of the print head nozzles starts. The blink stops when print head cleaning is over.
   
   Until print head cleaning completes, do not try other operations. Print head cleaning will take about 2 to 3 minutes.
   
   
4. Print a Nozzle Check Pattern and examine it.
   
   
5. Perform Deep Cleaning again if necessary.
   
   
6. If the print quality does not improve, turn off the printer and let it sit for 24 hours or more, then perform Deep Cleaning again. The wait time may allow dried ink in clogged print head nozzles to liquefy, and resolve the problem.
   
   
7. If the print quality does not improve, replace the ink cartridge(s).

Instructions to Launch the IJ Printer Utility in Mac OS X.

Note: After confirming that the cable is connected and the printer is powered on, perform the following:

1. In the Apple menu select System Preferences.
   
   
   
2. Open Print & Fax.
   
   
3. Start the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   1. If you are using Mac OS X v.10.6.x.
      
      1. Select your model from the Printers list, and click Options & Supplies.
         
      2. Click Open Printer Utility in Utility tab.
         
         
   1. If you are using Mac OS X v.10.5.x or Mac OS X v.10.4.11.
      
      1. Select your model from the Printers list, and click Open Print Queue (Print Queue).
         
      2. Click Utility when a list of print jobs is displayed.
         
         
4. Canon IJ Printer Utility is launched.