Automatic Print Head Alignment

Reference:  If the remaining ink level is low, the print head alignment sheet will not be printed correctly. Replace the ink tank whose ink is low.

-> [ Replacing an Ink Tank ]

• If you run out of the supplied paper (Matte Photo Paper MP-101) or the specified Canon genuine paper is not immediately available or obtainable, you can use plain paper and align the print head manually.

-> Refer to [ Manual Print Head Alignment] within this webpage.

• The print head alignment pattern is printed in black and blue.

 

You need to prepare: a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized Matte Photo Paper MP-101

1. Make sure that the power is turned on.
2. Load a sheet of supplied paper or A4 or Letter-sized Matte Photo Paper MP-101 in the rear tray.
   Load the paper with the print side (whiter side) facing you in the rear tray.
   
   Important:  You cannot use the cassette to align the print head automatically. Be sure to load paper in the rear tray.
    
3. Open the paper output tray gently, and open the output tray extension.
   
   Important:  If the inner cover is open, close it.

   
    
4. Adjust the print head position automatically.
   (1) Select Setup on the HOME screen.
   The setup menu screen will appear.
   
   (2) Select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
   The Maintenance screen will appear.
   
   (3) Select Auto head alignment, then press the OK button.
   
   The confirmation screen will appear.
   
   (4) Select Yes, then press the OK button.
   The print head alignment sheet will be printed and the print head position will be adjusted automatically.
   
   This takes about 5 minutes.

   Important:  Do not open the scanning unit / cover while printing is in progress.
   
   Reference:  If the automatic adjustment of the print head position has failed, the error message appears on the LCD.

   (5) When the completion message appears, press the OK button.
   The screen will return to the Maintenance screen.

   Reference:

   • Press the HOME button to exit Setup and display the HOME screen.
   • If the print results are still not satisfactory after adjusting the print head position as described above, adjust the print head position manually.

   -> Refer to [ Manual Print Head Alignment] within this webpage.

Manual Print Head Alignment

Reference:

• For details on adjusting the print head position automatically, Refer to [ Automatic Print Head Alignment] within this webpage.
• The print head alignment pattern is printed in black and blue.

Reference:  If the inner cover is open, close it.

 

4. Print the print head alignment pattern.
   
   (1) Select Setup on the HOME screen.
   The setup menu screen will appear.
   
   (2) Select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
   The Maintenance screen will appear.
   
   (3) Select Manual head alignment, then press the OK button.
   

   The confirmation screen will appear.
    

   Reference:  To print and check the current head position adjustment values, select Print the head alignment value.

   (4) Select Yes, then press the OK button.
   The print head alignment pattern is printed.

   Important:  Do not open the scanning unit / cover while printing is in progress.

   (5) When the message "Did the patterns print correctly?" appears, confirm that the pattern is printed correctly, select Yes, then press the OK button.
   
   The input screen for the head position adjustment values will appear.
   
   
    
5. Look at the first pattern and adjust the print head position.
   
   (1) Check the printed patterns, and use the button to input the number of the pattern in column A that has the least noticeable vertical streaks.
   

   Reference:  If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.

   

   
   (A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks

   (B) More noticeable vertical white streaks

   (2) Repeat the same procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for columns B to G, then press the OK button.
   For columns F and G, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal streaks at the position indicated by an arrow.

   Reference:  If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white streaks.

   

   
   (C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks

   (D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks

   (3) Confirm the message, then press the OK button.
   The second pattern is printed.

   
   Important:  Do not open the scanning unit / cover while printing is in progress.
    

6. Look at the second pattern and adjust the print head position.

   
   (1) Check the printed patterns, and use the button to input the number of the pattern in column H that has the least noticeable vertical streaks.

   

   Reference:  If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.

   

   
   (E) Less noticeable vertical white streaks

   (F) More noticeable vertical white streaks

   (2) Repeat the same procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for columns I to Q, then press the OK button.

   
   (3) Confirm the message, then press the OK button.

   The third pattern is printed.

   Important:  Do not open the scanning unit / cover while printing is in progress.
    

7. Look at the third pattern and adjust the print head position.

   
   (1) Check the printed patterns, and use the button to input the number of the pattern in column a that has the least noticeable horizontal streaks.

   

   Reference:  If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal streaks.

   
    

   (G) Less noticeable horizontal streaks

   (H) More noticeable horizontal streaks

   
   (2) Repeat the same procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for columns b to j, then press the OK button.

   The manual adjustment of the print head position is complete.

   
   (3) When the completion message appears, press the OK button.

   The screen will return to the Maintenance screen.

   Reference:  Press the HOME button to exit Setup and display the HOME screen.

    

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Replacing Ink Tank(s)

When you need to replace an ink tank, follow the procedure below.

Important:  Handling ink

• If you remove an ink tank, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with the ink tank removed.
• Use a new ink tank for replacement. Installing a used ink tank may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such an ink tank, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the ink tank properly.
• Once an ink tank has been installed, do not remove it from the machine and leave it out in the open. This will cause the ink tank to dry out, and the machine may not operate properly when it is reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use an ink tank within six months of first use.

 

Reference:  Color ink may be consumed even when printing a black-and-white document or when black-and-white printing is specified.

Every ink is also consumed in the standard cleaning and deep cleaning of the print head, which may be necessary to maintain the performance of the machine. When an ink tank is out of ink, replace it immediately with a new one.
 

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and open the paper output tray gently.
    
2. Lift the scanning unit / cover until it stops.
   The print head holder moves to the replacement position.
   

   Caution:  Do not hold the print head holder to stop or move it forcibly. Do not touch the print head holder until it stops completely.

Important:

• Do not place any object on the document cover. It will fall into the rear tray when the document cover is opened and cause the machine to malfunction.
• If the document cover is open, you cannot open the scanning unit / cover. Be sure to lift the scanning unit / cover with the document cover closed.
• When opening or closing the scanning unit / cover, do not touch the buttons on the operation panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.
• Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.
• If the scanning unit / cover is left open for more than 10 minutes, the print head holder moves to the right. In this case, close and reopen the scanning unit / cover.
   

3. Remove the ink tank with the lamp flashing fast.
   
   
   Push the tab (A) and lift the ink tank to remove.
   Do not touch the print head lock lever (B).
   
   
    

   Important:

   • Handle the ink tank carefully to avoid staining of clothing or the surrounding area.
   • Discard the empty ink tank according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.

   Reference:

   • Do not remove two or more ink tanks at the same time. Be sure to replace ink tanks one by one when replacing two or more ink tanks.
   • For details on ink lamp flashing speed, see [ Checking the Ink Status with the Ink Lamps ].
      

4. Prepare a new ink tank.
   
   (1) Take a new ink tank out of its package, remove the orange tape ( ) completely, then remove the protective film ( ) completely.
   
   
   

   
   Important:

   • Handle an ink tank carefully. Do not drop or apply excessive pressure to it.
   • If the orange tape remains on the L-shape air hole (C), ink may splash or the machine may not print properly.

   (2) Hold the ink tank with the orange protective cap (D) pointing up while being careful not to block the L-shape air hole (C)
   

   
   (3) Slowly twist the orange protective cap (D) 90 degrees horizontally to remove it off.
   
   
   
    

   Important:

   • Do not push the sides of the ink tank. If you push the sides of the ink tank with the L-shape air hole (C) blocked, ink may splash.
   • Do not touch the inside of the orange protective cap (D) or the open ink port (E). The ink may stain your hands if you touch them.
   • Do not reattach the protective cap (D) once you have removed it. Discard it according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
      

5. Install the new ink tank.
   
   
   (1) Insert the front end of the ink tank into the print head at a slant.
   
   Make sure that the position of the ink tank matches the label.
   
   
   (2) Press the mark (Push) on the ink tank until the ink tank snaps firmly into place.
   
   Make sure that the ink lamp lights up red.
   

   Important:

   • You cannot print if the ink tank is installed in the wrong position. Be sure to install the ink tank in the correct position according to the label on the print head holder.
   • You cannot print unless all the ink tanks are installed. Be sure to install all the ink tanks.

    

6. Close the scanning unit / cover gently.

   Caution:  Be sure to hold the scanning unit / cover firmly using hands, and be careful not to get your fingers caught.

   Important::  When opening or closing the scanning unit / cover, do not touch the buttons on the operation panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.

   Reference:

   • If the error message appears after the scanning unit / cover is closed, take appropriate action.
   • When you start printing after replacing the ink tank, the machine starts cleaning the print head automatically. Do not perform any other operations until the machine completes the cleaning of the print head.
   • If the print head is out of alignment, as indicated by misaligned printed ruled lines or similar symptoms, adjust the print head position.

   -> [ Aligning the Print Head ]

   • The machine may make noise during operation.

    

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Checking the Ink Status with the LCD on the Machine

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and press the HOME button.
   The HOME screen will appear.
    
2. Select Setup on the HOME screen.
   The setup menu screen will appear.
    
3. Select Display remaining ink level, then press the OK button.
   A symbol appears in the area (A) if there is any information about the remaining ink level.
   
   
   Example:
   Ink tank is running low. Prepare a new ink tank.

   Reference:

   • To display the model number of the ink tank, select Ink number by pressing the right Function button.
   • You can also check the ink status on a screen of the LCD displayed while printing.
   • You can also check the ink status on the computer screen.

   -> Refer to [ Canon IJ Status Monitor (Windows)] within this webpage.

   -> Refer to [ Checking the Current Ink Level (Macintosh)] within this webpage.
    

Checking the Ink Status with the Ink Lamps

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and open the paper output tray gently.
    
2. Lift the scanning unit / cover until it stops.
   ->[ Replacing an Ink Tank ]
    
3. Check the ink lamp.
   Close the scanning unit / cover after checking the ink lamp status.
   
    
   • The ink lamp is on.
     The ink tank is correctly installed.
      
   • The ink lamp is flashing
     - Flashing slowly (at around 3-second intervals)
     ...... Repeats
     
     Ink tank is running low. Prepare a new ink tank.
     
     
     - Flashing fast (at around 1-second intervals)
     ...... Repeats
     
     The ink tank is installed in the wrong position.
     or...
     The ink has run out.
   
   Make sure that the ink tank is installed in the correct position as indicated by the label on the print head holder. If the position is correct but the lamp flashes, there has been an error and the machine cannot print. Check the error message displayed on the LCD.
   
    
   • The ink lamp is off.
     The ink tank is not installed properly or the function for detecting the remaining ink level is disabled. If the ink tank is not installed properly, press the mark (Push) on the ink tank until the ink tank clicks into place. If it does not click into place, make sure that the orange protective cap has been removed from the bottom of the ink tank.
     
     If the ink lamp is still off after reinstalling the ink tank, there has been an error and the machine cannot print. Check the error message displayed on the LCD.

   Reference:  You can also check the ink status on the computer screen.

   
   -> Refer to [ Canon IJ Status Monitor (Windows)] within this webpage.

   -> Refer to [ Checking the Current Ink Level (Macintosh)] within this webpage.

Canon IJ Status Monitor (Windows)

Reference:

• To open the Canon IJ Status Monitor when the machine is not printing, open the printer driver setup window and click View Printer Status... on the Maintenance tab.
• The information displayed on the Canon IJ Status Monitor may differ depending on the country or region where you are using your machine.
   

Checking the Current Ink Level (Macintosh)

1. Select Ink Level Information from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility
   An illustration of the ink types and their status are displayed.
   
   If a warning or error related to the remaining ink level occurs, the print driver displays an icon to let you know.
   In such cases, take the appropriate action as described on the screen.
    
2. If necessary, click Ink Details
   You can check ink-related information.

   Reference:

   • Click to check which ink tank your model uses.
   • Click Update to display the current remaining ink level.