CANON IP2780 - Help - What is this problem ? Nozzle head print ?

[Theo8888]

Hello,

I try to find what could be this problem name, but I can't figure out...

Here are some pictures of the problem.

http://prntscr.com/m04pjb
http://prntscr.com/m04qwq
http://prntscr.com/m04ro4

Thank you for your enlightenment.

Kind regards

Theo

CANON IP 2780 with Korean Ink (bottle and pipes connected directly to the cartridge)

 

[stratman]

Welcome to the forum, Theo. Sorry to hear you are having issues with your printer. The short answer is you suffered an electrical failure of which a print head replacement may fix.

1) Did this happen suddenly or gradually over time and is worsening?

2) Are you using OEM Canon cartridges or aftermarket cartridges?

3) Are you using a Continuous Ink System (CIS)?

Your nozzle check demonstrates a decrease in Magenta ink deposition and it is in a straight line through the swath of Magenta. This looks like an electrical failure of either the print head, the logic assay board or both. The darkened appearance of the nozzles underneath the print head could represent burned out nozzles, but I would want a better look to be more sure.

What could cause this issue? Print heads and logic assay boards fail for unknown reasons. Too much heat can be a reason. Canon inkjets heat up the ink before spitting it out. The ink acts to cool the nozzles to prevent irreparable thermal damage. Sometimes aftermarket inks have poor cooling properties and make it likely to cause nozzle burn out.

Canon printers generally are not good for use with CIS (Continuous Ink System) which it sounds like you are using. They need to be constantly monitored and adjusted, failure to do so can lead to lack of ink flow and nozzle burn out.

Cartridges can sometimes develop poor ink flow from clogs or even biological contamination (mold, fungus, bacteria) which will result in nozzle burn out if not attended to quickly.

***Anytime there is missing ink or unexpected color shifts in a print you need to stop printing anything but nozzle checks until resolved.***

Of course a giant clog can lead to nozzle burnout, but you would typically see no ink instead of a lighter shade of ink as you have in your nozzle check.

Last, an electrical failure in the print head can rarely propagate to the logic assay board and vice versa. Replacing one part but not the other that is also damaged can result in malfunction of the new replacement part.

This said, generally your issue should resolve with a new print head BUT we cannot be 100% sure that will be the end. You could try flushing and soaking the print head in water with a little liquid dish washing soap like Dawn or Fairy (or window cleaner with Ammonia like Windex original with ammonium D) and then letting it dry completely before reinstalling, but I doubt this will help in your situation.

If there is an ink flow issue then you should flush the cartridges or get new cartridges. Also, your CIS may be the cause of the issue and stopping using it may be best. It's up to you.

 

[Theo8888]

Dear Stratman,

First of all, Thank you very much for your very impressive knowledgable message.

I really appreciate to read you.

I'll try to find a microscope to take a picture of the head tomorrow. (I keep you in touch on that)

Regarding your questions :

1. I didn't use much the printer, but I think it appears suddenly (I didn't use the printer for many months). (I need to be honest, the printer wasn't perfectly leveled... 5° I think. right or left)
2. On the cartridge it's written CANON... but who knows fake are everywhere... (I'm living in China right now)
3. YES: I use a system of CIS (the picture will give you more details I think)

Remark: If I print a colorful document in standard configuration, normal quality: I can see clearly the "middle missing band of magenta" repeatedly on the page.
However, If I print the same colorful document in high quality, "commercial document" setting, on 140g mat paper. I don't see anymore this missing band. (Edited: In fact, we see much less the missing band)

One more time, thank you.

edited: I found a link of the exact hardware I have:

 

[stratman]

Thank you for the additional information, Theo.

First, the potential good news. Your printer uses cartridges that have the print head built into them. If the electrical failure is in the multi-color cartridge then replacing it will resolve the issue. If the issue is in the logic assay board of the printer then the problem will persist.

Second, you have found a work around to the banding of ink by selecting "high quality, "commercial document" setting." This most likely lays down more ink, either per pass or over repeated passes, and makes the banding defect less visible. If this is acceptable to you then you may have your solution. However, the problem may worsen over time.

Third, Canon inkjet printers love to be used and perform best if used at as much as possible to prevent clogs. Once a week or so try to print something that uses all the colors from both cartridges. A nozzle check will do. I cannot say how much of a factor, if at all, your lack of use was in your malfunction. If the ink banding is due to a perfect clog - nature does not like straight lines, but electrical malfunctions do! -then it is possible it might clear, at least improve. BUT, lack of cooling property of the ink at the hot nozzle will permanently burn out the nozzle(s). That is why you must stop printing anything but nozzle checks if you notice missing ink in your printing.

Fourth, we do not recommend using CIS systems as they are quite finicky about position. Canon's just are not friendly to CIS unlike other printer manufacturers. Yes, you can use CIS but you will need to continually monitor and adjust them. The multicolor cartridges you use are nice in that if they clock or malfunction, it is relatively inexpensive to buy a new one instead of a separate print head like other Canon printers have. Of course, it is a matter of perspective on cost and ease of use.

Fifth, not all aftermarket ink is alike. As discussed earlier, the cooling properties may not but sufficient and lead to early print head failure. I cannot say if this was a factor in your situation.

My recommendation is to try a new multicolor cartridge. If that works then great! My secondary recommendations are to get rid of the CIS and print something once a week that uses all colors from both cartridges, eg a nozzle check.

Let us know what happens.

 

[Theo8888]

One more time, Thank you very much for your time & information.

Here are some pictures of the head of the cartridge. It wasn't easy to take...
So maybe they are not good enough to permit you to see and/or confirm something... (let me know)

Is this kind of refill cartridge is better than the CIS?

Last but not least, If I need to buy new hardware (printer + ink system), do you have some advice on brand name, technology?

Thank you,

 

[stratman]

I appreciate your work in taking close up images. I am not sure what is artifact, reflection, and/or contrast issues, so, I cannot give much of an opinion other than I do not see anything remarkable in the Magenta nozzles to cause your Magenta defect. An electrical malfunction does not necessarily mean burned nozzles.

My recommendation is unchanged. Get new ink cartridges and stop using the CIS. If you want to continue to use your CIS then get a replacement color cartridge for your CIS.

If replacing the ink cartridge does not resolve the issue then the malfunction may reside in the logic assay board of the printer or maybe something else which I am unaware. A new printer may be your best solution if a new color cartridge does not resolve the problem.

Sorry, I do not know where to buy printer supplies in China. Maybe someone else can make a recommendation.

 

[turbguy]

The photos of your nozzle plate can nowhere near determine any positive issue. This nozzle plate "chip" is one of the most complicated in the industry. ONE single blown conduction path can cause what you are seeing (which appears to be from bi-directional printing). Instantaneous currents though the circuits are ASTRONOMICAL during printing...

You might try printing at the highest quality (lie to the driver about the paper) which "might" force uni-directional printing, and see if that makes a difference...

AND. I agree with Stratman's recommendations about the CISS...