Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have a black and a tri-colour ink cartridge and I^m getting poor print quality, what can I do?

For full illustrated instructions on how to clean the printhead on black or tri-colour cartridges please CLICK HERE

Q: My Canon Printer Colours are Incorrect, how can I fix this?

The following information relates to those printers with individual ink cartridges.

This problem is usually caused by a dirty printhead, assuming of course, that all cartridges are in the correct slots and filled with the right ink. The printhead base becomes contaminated by contact with paper.  This causes ink to touch across the head and is usually caused by ‘dog eared’ paper e.g. corner of paper bent and then rubs across printhead.

To clean printhead and restore correct colours: 

1. Remove the cartridges and pull out the printhead.
2. Clean the head with head cleaning solution, and wipe with a paper towel so it is fully clean and dry.  
3. Check the cartridges do not look contaminated. eg. In the foam, yellow should look yellow and not green or dark; magenta should look pink and not dark etc
4. Reinstall the printhead and the cartridges.
5. Run a cleaning cycle and nozzle check via the Maintenance tab of your printer.

If the test print is missing yellow completely and the magenta is printing yellow and the registration marks on either side of the colour letters are all green. This shows ink contamination.  If contaminated you can clean the cartridge or start with a new one. More information.

Q: How do I remove the Printhead from my Canon printer with individual cartridges?

To remove the printhead from your Canon printer that uses individual cartridges:

1. Lift open the top cover exposing the printer ink cartridges.
2. Unplug the power to the printer and remove the USB printer cable.
3. Remove all the ink cartridges from the printhead.  
4. Lift the grey lever to the ‘up’ position. This dis-engages the printhead.
5. Hold the printhead from the top and lift the printhead by tilting it toward you. Make sure not to touch the electrical contacts in the back of printhead.
6. Take a small plastic bowl and put 2ml or less of Rubbing Alcohol (70% Isopropyl Alcohol or Windex) in bottom.
7. Dip the bottom of the printhead in the alcohol, or if very clogged soak printhead in the alcohol for five minutes.
8. Shake printhead lightly so the dried ink clogging the printhead can come loose.
9. Use paper towels to soak excess alcohol from the bottom of the printhead, making sure not to damage the printhead.
10. Pour a drop of alcohol on the top of each inlet of the ink cartridge seat. Soak up any excess alcohol with paper towel. Let the printhead dry a little.
11. Put the printhead back in the cradle and reinstall the ink cartridges in their right seat.
12. Lower the grey lever back into position so the electrical contacts are made on the printhead.
13. Plug in the power and USB port.
14. Print a picture or diagram with colour in draft mode. You might have to do this couple of times so that the inks start flowing from the ink cartridge through the printhead. Then print the same in high quality. If the heads are unclogged your printer should work as new.

Q: My printer does not recognise the cartridge, what can I do?

The Power Off Theory works in most cases.  Do the following exactly as detailed and you will be up and printing in no time.

1. With the Power on machine
2. Take cartridge out, leave door open
3. Turn Power off on wall
4. Leave off for three to five minutes
5. Turn power on
6. Close door, engine will run, when it stops open door
7. Printer should now be looking for cartridge
8. Reinstall cartridge
9. Close door.

The cartridge will now be accepted.

Q: My cartridge is leaking, what have I done wrong?

The cartridge may be overfilled. Protect the work area then place your cartridge on a tissue or absorbant cloth and allow the ink to flow out. The syringe may not have been inserted deep enough into the cartridge, or the ink was injected too fast.

Review your refill kit’s instruction carefully to assure that all steps were followed correctly.

Q: How do I clean up spilt ink?

Soap and water (on an old cloth) should do the trick, and perhaps a little mild bleach in water solution if needed. The first time you refill a cartridge, it's very possible you may get a little ink on your hands. To get the ink off, simply wash your hands with soap to remove any excess oils and use a mild bleach and water solution.