PIXMA MX860 Office Support

FAQs & troubleshooting

No Printing Results/Printing Is Blurred/Colors Are Wrong/White Streaks

Content Id: 8200441000

Issue

No Printing Results

Printing Is Blurred

Colors Are Wrong

White Streaks

Cause and solution

Check 1: Did you confirm the paper and print quality settings?

Cause and solution

Check 2: Check the status of ink tanks. Replace the ink tank if the ink has run out.

When ink runs out while printing is in progress, an error message appears on the LCD or your computer screen. Make sure which ink tank has run out of ink and replace it with a new one.

Caution

If the error message appears, confirm the displayed message and take appropriate action. For details, refer to An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD .

print results become faint or white streaks appear despite sufficient ink levels, see When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect.

Replacing Procedure

When the ink tanks run out of ink, follow the procedure below to replace them.

Caution

To maintain optimal print quality, we recommend the use of specified Canon brand ink tanks. Refilling ink is not recommended.

If you remove an ink tank, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with ink tanks removed.

Use new ink tanks for replacement. Installing used ink tanks may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such ink tanks, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the ink tanks 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.

Caution

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 machine's performance. 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), then hold it open with the Scanning Unit Support (A).

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.

Caution

Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.

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.

Do not hold the LCD or the Operation Panel.

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.

If the Scanning Unit (Cover) is left open, the Print Head Holder moves to the right. In this case, close and reopen the Scanning Unit (Cover).

Caution

The machine may make operating noise when the Print Head Holder moves to the replacement position.

3. Replace the ink tank with the lamp flashing fast.

Push the tab (B) and lift the ink tank to remove.

Do not touch the Print Head Lock Lever (C).

Caution

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.

Caution

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 .

4. Prepare the new ink tank.

(1) Take the new ink tank out of its package, pull the orange tape () in the direction of the arrow to peel it off, then remove the film ().

Caution

Make sure that the film is completely removed from the air hole (D). If the air hole is blocked with the remaining film, ink may leak out or may not eject properly.

(2) Hold the orange protective cap (E) as indicated in the figure below, then twist and remove it from the bottom of the ink tank.

Remove the protective cap while holding it to prevent the ink from staining your fingers.

Discard the protective cap once it is removed.

Caution

Do not touch the electrical contacts (F) on the ink tank. It can cause the machine to malfunction or become unable to print.

Caution

If you shake the ink tank, the ink may leak out and stain your hands and the surrounding area. Be careful to handle the ink tank.

Do not squeeze the side of ink tanks as this may cause the ink to leak out.

Be careful not to stain your hands and the surrounding area with ink on the removed protective cap.

Do not reattach the protective cap once you have removed it. Discard it according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.

Do not touch the open ink port once the protective cap is removed, as this may prevent the ink from being ejected properly.

5. Install the new ink tank.

(1) Insert the front end of 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.

Caution

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. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) slightly to set the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, and gently close the Scanning Unit (Cover).

Caution

When setting the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, be sure to hold the Scanning Unit (Cover) firmly using both hands, and be careful not to get your fingers caught.

Caution

Do not hold the LCD or the Operation Panel.

Caution

If the error message appears after the Scanning Unit (Cover) is closed, refer to An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD .

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 printed ruled lines are misaligned or the print head position is misaligned, adjust the print head position. See Aligning the Print Head.

The machine may make noise during operation, this is normal.

Replacing an Ink Tank

Cause and solution

Check 3: Is the orange tape or protective film remaining?

Make sure that all of the protective film is peeled off and the air hole is exposed, as illustrated in (A).

If the orange tape is left as in (B), pull the orange tape and remove it.

Cause and solution

Check 4: Print the Nozzle Check Pattern and perform any necessary maintenance operations such as Print Head Cleaning.

Print the Nozzle Check Pattern to determine whether the ink ejects properly from the print head nozzles. Refer to Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern , Cleaning the Print Head,Cleaning the Print Head Deeply.

If the Nozzle Check Pattern is not printed correctly: Check to see if a particular color's ink tank is empty. If the Nozzle Check Pattern is not printed correctly though ink is sufficient, perform the Print Head Cleaning and try printing the Nozzle Check Pattern again.

If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Cleaning twice: Perform the Print Head Deep Cleaning. If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Deep Cleaning, turn off the machine and perform another Print Head Deep Cleaning after 24 hours. When you turn the machine off, do not unplug it from the power supply.

If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Deep Cleaning twice: If Print Head Deep Cleaning does not resolve the problem, the Print Head may be damaged. Contact the service center.

Cause and solution

Check 5: When using paper with one printable surface, make sure that the paper is loaded with the printable side facing up.

Printing on the wrong side of such paper may cause unclear prints or prints with reduced quality.

Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the paper for detailed information on the printable side.

Cause and solution

Check 6: Is the Platen Glass dirty?

Clean the Platen Glass.

Cause and solution

Check 7: Check that the original is loaded correctly on the Platen Glass or in the ADF.

Cause and solution

Check 8: Is the original document is loaded with the proper side facing up?

When loading the original on the Platen Glass, the side to be copied should be face down. When loading the original in the ADF, the side to be copied should be face up.

Cause and solution

Check 9: Did you copy a printout done by this machine?

Print from the memory card or from the digital camera directly, or reprint from the computer.

If you copy a printout done by this machine, print quality may be reduced.

"Was this helpful?"

Yes.It solved my issue

It covered my problem, but the solution didn't work for me

The information on the page is hard to understand

It has nothing to do with my issue

Submit