Problem with Canon Pixma MG6450

[dublin123]

About a week ago I noticed a white line across a page I had printed (after not having used the printer for a number of months), then it starting printing either blank pages or pages that are blank except for a splotch of black ink on one side. I have cleaned the print head using a cleaning product I bought, still no joy.

Am I going to have to purchase a new print head or is there any cheaper solution that anyone can think of? Thanks in advance.

 

[stratman]

Welcome to the forum, dublin123. Sorry to hear of your problem.

Are you sure all the ink cartridges have ink? Maybe you need new ink cartridges.

Could it be they dried up over the "number of months" of no use? You can try GENTLY squeezing the sides of the cartridge while holding a folded paper towel onto the ink exit port to see if ink drips out. Do this over a sink or outside. Consider gloves to protect against ink stains on skin.

Whatever you do, you need to first insure that there is ink in the cartridges and that they function properly. Difficult to assure when nothing is printed out, hence recommendation to get new cartridges, or use a known working cartridges, or flush and refill the cartridges if you are refilling. Only in choosing one of these options can you be assured that the problem isn't due to the cartridges.

Please print a Nozzle Check, scan, crop and post. Do not try printing anything other than nozzle checks until the issue is resolved.

 

[dublin123]

Sorry should have said I have new cartridges installed so is not a cartridge issue.

Nozzle check printout:

 

[stratman]

You win for best trippy LSD nozzle check ever! Picasso paintings make more sense to me.

Seriously, is that a nozzle check?

If the printer is still under warranty then immediately call Canon Technical Support. Otherwise, time to buy a new printer.

Try to use your next Canon printer at least once every week or two to maintain good function. Print something that uses all cartridges. Even a nozzle check will do.

 

[dublin123]

yes it is unfortunately a nozzle check and printer is 5 yrs old so well out of warranty.

dont know what to do. cant really afford a new printer.

 

[stratman]

The reason I recommended a new printer instead of replacing the print head, if that is possible with your model, is that the nozzle check is so surreal that I wouldn't trust that the logic assay board is OK, ie might be electrically fried and irreparable as well as the print head.

It makes more sense to me to get a new printer instead of buying a print head with the hope that replacing it will resolve all based on the horrendous nozzle check. I've never seen anything like it.

Maybe look on Craigslist, if that is available in your location, or on eBay, for a used printer. Make sure you see a proper nozzle check print out before you purchase and a return policy if it does not function as expected when you try at home. If possible, pay with a credit card or PayPal to help with a dispute. Cash payment may leave little recourse.

 

[dublin123]

Ok I see, thank you.

I only cleaned the printer with the solution today, I will try the nozzle check again tomorrow just in case it improves, if not, will have do without. Don't really need printer urgently.

 

[dublin123]

There's an old HP in the house that I resurrected. Unless anyone has any further suggestions I will assume the Canon is kaput(?)

I suspect what is wrong is that I damaged the large nozzle while taking the rubber thing off with a tweezers before cleaning. But no point forking out for a new print-head if there is another, non-print head, issue in the background.

 

[stratman]

taking the rubber thing off

Dissembling the print head, if this is what you mean, is a dicey matter that often results in complete Charlie Foxtrot. It is a procedure of last result with a high risk for failure.

On the positive side, you do have the most mind blowing nozzle check I've ever seen.

Best of luck with your "new" HP.

 

[dublin123]

Fwiw, I did buy an after market print head on Ebay, and...printer is working fine again. So, fortunately, looks like I didn't damage the logic board.