Cleaning the Print Head from a Windows PC - G1220

Article ID: ART178721 | Date published: 12/09/2020 | Date last updated: 01/24/2023
 

Description

Learn how to clean or deeply clean the print head of the PIXMA G1220 from a Windows PC. You can also perform an Ink Flush. If you're experiencing poor print quality (streaked / banded prints, incorrect colors, blank pages, etc.), some of the print head nozzles may be clogged.

Solution

Cleaning the Print Heads

The print head cleaning and deep cleaning functions allow you to clear up clogged print head nozzles. Perform print head cleaning if printing results are not satisfactory or if a specific color fails to print, even though there is enough ink.

If you perform a deep cleaning and the condition still does not improve, perform an ink flush.

Cleaning icon Cleaning

  1. Open the Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool.

  2. Click Cleaning.

    Click Cleaning (outlined in red)

    When the Print Head Cleaning dialog box opens, select the ink group that requires cleaning.

    Print Head Cleaning dialog box

    Click Initial Check Items to display the items you need to check before performing Cleaning.

  3. Check that the printer is on and then click Start.

    Print Head Cleaning starts.

  4. Click OK when the confirmation message is displayed.
    The Nozzle Check dialog box will open.

  5. To check whether the print quality has improved, click Print Check Pattern. To cancel the check process, click Cancel.

    If cleaning the head once does not resolve the print head problem, clean it once more.

 Cleaning consumes a small amount of ink. Cleaning the print head frequently will rapidly deplete your printer's ink supply. Perform print head cleanings only when necessary.


 

Deep Cleaning icon Deep Cleaning

Deep Cleaning is more thorough than standard print head cleanings. Perform a deep cleaning when two standard cleaning attempts don't resolve the print head problem.

  1. Open the Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool.

  2. Click Deep Cleaning.

    Click deep Cleaning (outlined in red)

    When the Deep Cleaning dialog box opens, select the ink group that requires deep cleaning.

    Deep Cleaning dialog box

    Click Initial Check Items to display the items you need to check before performing a deep cleaning.

  3. Check that the printer is on and then click Start.
    Click OK when the confirmation message appears.

    Print head Deep Cleaning starts.

  4. Click OK when the confirmation message is displayed.
    The Nozzle Check dialog box will open.

  5. To check whether the print quality has improved, click Print Check Pattern. To cancel the check process, click Cancel.

 Deep cleaning consumes a larger amount of ink than a standard cleaningCleaning the print head frequently will rapidly deplete your printer's ink supply. Perform a deep cleaning only when necessary.

 If print results don't improve even after performing a deep cleaning, turn off the power, wait 24 hours without pulling out the power plug, and then perform a deep cleaning again. If print results still don't improve, perform an ink flush. Note that an ink flush uses a large volume of ink.


 

Ink Flush icon Ink Flush

Perform an ink flush if the print results do not improve even after a deep cleaning is performed.

  1. Open the Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool.

  2. Click Ink Flush.

    Click Ink Flush (outlined in red)

    Click OK on the confirmation message to proceed.

    Click OK (outlined in red) to proceed

    When the Ink Flush dialog box opens, select the ink group that requires the flush.

     

    Select the ink group that requires the flush

    Click Initial Check Items to display the items you need to check before performing the ink flush.
    Be sure to check the remaining ink level before running Ink Flush.

  3. Make sure that the printer is on and then click Start.
    Click OK when the confirmation message appears.

    The ink flush starts.

  4. Click OK when the confirmation message is displayed.
    The Nozzle Check dialog box will be displayed.

  5. To check whether the print quality has improved, click Print Check Pattern. To cancel the check process, click Cancel.

 Ink flush consumes an extremely large amount of ink. Performing an ink flush frequently will rapidly deplete your printer's ink supply. Perform this process only when necessary.

 If an ink flush is run when the remaining ink level is insufficient, it may cause a failure.

If your product issue was not resolved after following the steps above, or if you require additional help, please create or log in to your Canon Account to see your technical support options.

Or if you still need help, visit our Canon Community by clicking the button below to get answers:

Link to Canon Community Forum








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