Cleaning the Print Head

FAQ ID: 8200214400

Release date: 11 June 2008

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Solution

Clean the Print Head if lines are missing or if white streaks are present in the printed nozzle check pattern. Cleaning unclogs the nozzles and restores the print head condition. Cleaning the Print Head consumes ink, so clean the Print Head only when necessary.
You need to prepare: a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper


REFERENCE
Cleaning the Print Head without a computer
  • You can also clean the Print Heads of all color ink tanks at the same time from the printer itself using the RESUME/CANCEL button.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on.
2. Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the Power lamp flashes green once, and then release it immediately.
The printer starts cleaning the Print Head. When the Power lamp is lit green after flashing, the cleaning will be completed. Print the nozzle check pattern to check the print head condition after cleaning.
See [ Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern ].

Windows

If you click Cleaning on the Pattern Check dialog box that appears after printing the nozzle check pattern, the printer starts cleaning the Print Head. Make sure that one or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized paper are loaded in the Cassette, and then go to the procedure of (3) in step 4.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on and one or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.

2. Open the Paper Output Tray gently, and extend to open the Output Tray Extension.

3. Open the printer properties dialog box.

4. Clean the Print Head.

(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Cleaning.
(3) Select the ink group to clean.
When cleaning the nozzles of black ink tanks: Select Black if there are missing lines in PGBK of the nozzle check pattern, or Color if there are white streaks in BK of the nozzle check pattern.
For details on the nozzle check pattern, see[ Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern ].
(4) Click Execute.
The printer starts cleaning the Print Head when the Power lamp starts flashing green.
Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the cleaning of the Print Head. This takes about 1 minute 30 seconds.


REFERENCE
Clicking Initial Check Items displays the items to be checked before printing the pattern.

(5) Confirm the displayed message and click Print Check Pattern.
The nozzle check pattern will be printed.
Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the printing of the nozzle check pattern.

5. Check the printed nozzle check pattern.See [ Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern ].


REFERENCE
If the problem is not resolved after cleaning the Print Head twice, clean the Print Head deeply. See [ Cleaning the Print Head Deeply ].

Macintosh

If you click Cleaning on the Pattern Check dialog box that appears after printing the nozzle check pattern, the printer starts cleaning the Print Head. Make sure that one or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized paper are loaded in the Cassette, and then go to the procedure of (3) in step 4.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on and one or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.

2. Open the Paper Output Tray gently, and extend to open the Output Tray Extension.

3. Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility dialog box.

4. Clean the Print Head.

(1) Make sure that Cleaning is selected in the pop-up menu.
(2) Click Cleaning.
(3) Select the ink group to clean.
When cleaning the nozzles of black ink tanks: Select Black if there are missing lines in PGBK of the nozzle check pattern, or Color if there are white streaks in BK of the nozzle check pattern.
For details on the nozzle check pattern, see [ Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern ].
(4) Click OK.
The printer starts cleaning the Print Head when the Power lamp starts flashing green.
Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the cleaning of the Print Head. This takes about 1 minute 30 seconds.


REFERENCE
Clicking Initial Check Items displays the items to be checked before cleaning.

(5) Confirm the displayed message and click Print Check Pattern.
The nozzle check pattern will be printed.
Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the printing of the nozzle check pattern.

5. Check the printed nozzle check pattern.
See [ Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern ].


REFERENCE
If the problem is not resolved after cleaning the Print Head twice, clean the Print Head deeply. See [ Cleaning the Print Head Deeply ].

Applicable Models

  • PIXMA iP3600

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