PIXMA MP480 Support

FAQs & troubleshooting

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

Content Id: 8200204000

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: Is the FINE Cartridge installed properly?

If the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is not closed securely, ink may not be ejected correctly.

Open the Scanning Unit (Cover), open the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover, then close the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover.

When you close the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover, push the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks into place.

Cause and solution

Check 3: 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", and "Cleaning the Print Head Deeply".

If the Nozzle Check Pattern is not printed correctly: After performing the Print Head Cleaning, print the Nozzle Check Pattern and examine the pattern.

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, try it again.

If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Deep Cleaning twice: Ink may have run out. Replace the FINE Cartridge.

Cause and solution

Check 4: When a FINE Cartridge runs out of ink, replace it with a new one.

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

Caution

Handling FINE Cartridges

Do not touch the electrical contacts or print head nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

(A) Electrical contacts

(B) Print head nozzles

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

If you remove a FINE Cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with FINE Cartridges removed.

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

To maintain optimal print quality, install FINE Cartridges in the machine within the date indicated on the package box. And also use FINE Cartridges within 6 months of first use. (We recommend you to put down the date when installing them.)

Caution

If a FINE Cartridge runs out of ink, you can print with either Color or Black FINE Cartridge, in whichever ink remains, only for a while. However the print quality may be reduced compared to when printing with both cartridges. We recommend to use new FINE Cartridges in order to obtain optimum qualities. Even when printing with one ink only, print with leaving the empty FINE Cartridge installed. If either of the Color FINE Cartridge or Black FINE Cartridge is not installed, an error occurs and the machine cannot print.

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 ink has run out, replace the FINE Cartridge immediately with a new one.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and open the Paper Output Tray.

2. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover), then hold it open with the Scanning Unit Support (C). The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the replacement position.

Caution

The inside of the machine may be stained with ink. Be careful not to stain your hands or clothing when replacing FINE Cartridges. You can easily wipe off the ink from the inside of the machine with a dry cloth or the like.

When opening the Scanning Unit (Cover), lift it with the Document Cover closed.

Do not hold the FINE Cartridge Holder to stop or move it forcibly. Do not touch the Print Head Holder until it stops completely.

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

Caution

If the Scanning Unit (Cover) is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the right. In this case, close and reopen the Scanning Unit (Cover).

3. Remove the empty FINE Cartridge.

(1) Pinch the tabs and open the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover.

(2) Remove the FINE Cartridge.

Caution

Handle FINE Cartridges carefully to avoid staining of clothing or the surrounding area.

Discard empty FINE Cartridges according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.

4. Prepare the new FINE Cartridge.

(1) Take a new FINE Cartridge out of its package and remove the orange protective tape (D) gently.

Caution

If you shake a FINE Cartridge, ink may spill out and stain your hands and the surrounding area. Handle a FINE Cartridge carefully.

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

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

Do not touch the electrical contacts or print head nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

5. Install the FINE Cartridge.

(1) Put a new FINE Cartridge in the FINE Cartridge Holder.

The Color FINE Cartridge should be installed into the left slot and the Black FINE Cartridge should be into the right slot.

(2) Close the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover to lock the FINE Cartridge into place.

Push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(3) Confirm that the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is closed correctly.

(E) Closed correctly

(F) Not closed correctly (the cover is tilted)

Caution

If the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is not closed correctly, push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

Caution

The machine cannot print unless both the Color and Black FINE Cartridges are installed. Be sure to install both the FINE Cartridges.

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).

If you replaced the FINE Cartridge while printing, the machine resumes printing automatically.

Caution

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

Caution

When you start printing after replacing the FINE Cartridge, 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 ruled lines are printed with misaligned or the print head position is misaligned, adjust the print head position. See "Aligning the Print Head".

Replacing FINE Cartridges

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 paper's instruction manual for detailed information on the printable side.

Cause and solution

Check6: Make sure that the original is properly loaded on the Platen Glass.

Cause and solution

Check7: Is the original loaded with the side to be copied facing down on the Platen Glass?

Cause and solution

Check8: 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.

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