11. Maintenance and Consumables
   11. 2. Printheads

  1. Printhead
  2. Checking for Nozzle Clogging
  3. Cleaning the Printhead
  4. Replacing the Printhead

11. 2. 1. Maintenance and Consumables > Printheads >
Printhead
•Printhead PF-05
Note
•  For instructions on replacing the Printhead, see "Replacing the Printhead (11.2.4)."

11. 2. 2. Maintenance and Consumables > Printheads >
Checking for Nozzle Clogging
If printing is faint or affected by banding in different colors, make sure the Printhead nozzles are clear by printing a test pattern to check the nozzles.
Note
•  Nozzles are periodically checked to ensure they are clear. Configure the settings on the Control Panel menu in Nozzle Check.  (See "Menu Settings (9.2.4).")
Paper to Prepare
  1. Load paper.
    •Loading Rolls in the Printer (6.2.2)
    •Loading Sheets in the Feed Slot (6.3.1)
    2.
  2. On the Tab Selection screen of the Control Panel, press or to select the Settings/Adj. tab ().
    Note
    •  If the Tab Selection screen is not displayed, press the Menu button.
  3. Press the OK button.
    The Set./Adj. Menu is displayed.
    4.
  4. Press or to select Test Print, and then press the OK button.
    5.
  5. Press or to select Nozzle Check, and then press the OK button.
    The printer now prints a test pattern for checking the nozzles.
    6.
  6. Check the printing results.
    If the horizontal lines are not faint or incomplete, the nozzles are clear.
    If some sections of the horizontal lines are faint or incomplete, the nozzles for those colors are clogged.
    If horizontal lines are faint or incomplete, follow the steps below and check again for nozzle clogging.
    1.Clean the Printhead.  (See "Cleaning the Printhead (11.2.3).")
    2.Print a test pattern to check the nozzles.
    Important
    •  If you repeat these steps several times but the horizontal lines are still faint or incomplete, contact your Canon dealer.

11. 2. 3. Maintenance and Consumables > Printheads >
Cleaning the Printhead
If printing is faint, cleaning the Printhead may improve results.
Choose one of two Printhead cleaning modes ( Head Cleaning A or Head Cleaning B ), depending on the problem to resolve.
•Head Cleaning A
Use this mode if printing is faint or contains foreign substances. This method of cleaning consumes the least amount of ink.
It takes about six minutes to complete.
•Head Cleaning B
Use this mode if no ink is ejected at all, or if Head Cleaning A does not solve the problem.
It takes about seven minutes to complete.
Caution
•  Do not remove the Maintenance Cartridge or ink tanks during either Head Cleaning A or Head Cleaning B.
Note
•  If printing does not improve after Head Cleaning B, try repeating Head Cleaning B once or twice. If this still does not improve printing, the Printhead may have reached the end of its useful life. Contact your Canon dealer for assistance.
•  Nozzles are periodically checked to ensure they are clear. Configure the settings on the Control Panel menu in Nozzle Check.  (See "Menu Settings (9.2.4).")
Perform cleaning as follows.
  1. On the Tab Selection screen of the Control Panel, press or to select the Settings/Adj. tab ().
    Note
    •  If the Tab Selection screen is not displayed, press the Menu button.
  2. Press the OK button.
    The Set./Adj. Menu is displayed.
    3.
  3. Press or to select Maintenance, and then press the OK button.
    4.
  4. Press or to select Head Cleaning, and then press the OK button.
    5.
  5. Press or to select Head Cleaning A or Head Cleaning B, and then press the OK button.
    Head cleaning is now executed.
    6.
  6. Print a test pattern to check the nozzles, and determine whether cleaning has cleared the nozzles.  (See "Checking for Nozzle Clogging (11.2.2).")

11. 2. 4. Maintenance and Consumables > Printheads >
Replacing the Printhead
  When to replace the Printhead
This printer is equipped with two printheads.
Replace one or both printheads in the following situations.
•If the printing quality does not improve even after one or two cycles of Head Cleaning B from the printer menu
Replace any printheads with poor printing performance.
•If the Display Screen indicates "Open top cover and replace the left printhead."
Replace the Printhead on the left side.
•If the Display Screen indicates "Open top cover and replace the right printhead."
Replace the Printhead on the right side.
•If your Canon dealer has advised Printhead replacement
Replace the Printhead as directed.

  Compatible printheads

  Precautions when handling the Printhead
Take the following precautions when handling the Printhead.
Caution
•  For safety, keep the Printhead out of the reach of children.
•  If ink is accidentally ingested, contact a physician immediately.
•  Do not touch the Printhead immediately after printing. The Printhead becomes extremely hot, and there is a risk of burns.
•  There may be ink around the nozzles of the Printhead you remove. Handle the Printhead carefully during replacement. The ink may stain clothing.
Important
•  Do not open the Printhead pouch until immediately before installation. After removing the Printhead from the pouch, install it right away. If the Printhead is left after the pouch is opened, the nozzles may dry out, which may affect printing quality.

  Access the menu for Printhead replacement
Caution
•  When replacing the Printhead immediately after printing, wait a few minutes before replacing it. The metal parts of the Printhead become hot during printing, and there is a risk of burns from touching these parts.
Note
•  Prepare a new Ink Tank when ink levels are low.
•  Your hands may become dirty during Printhead replacement. Use the gloves provided with the new Printhead for replacement.
  1. Remove any paper that has been advanced by selecting Eject Paper in the Control Panel menu.
    •When using a roll, rewind it.
     (See "Removing the Roll from the Printer (6.2.5).")
    •When using sheets, remove the sheet.
     (See "Removing Sheets (6.3.3).")
    2.
  2. Clean inside the Top Cover.  (See "Cleaning Inside the Top Cover (11.4.2).")
    3.
  3. On the Tab Selection screen of the Control Panel, press or to select the Settings/Adj. tab ().
    Note
    •  If the Tab Selection screen is not displayed, press the Menu button.
  4. Press the OK button.
    The Set./Adj. Menu is displayed.
    5.
  5. Press or to select Maintenance, and then press the OK button.
    6.
  6. Press or to select Replace P.head, and then press the OK button.
    7.
  7. Press or to select the Printhead for replacement.
    Select Printhead L when replacing the left printhead and Printhead R when replacing the right printhead. Make sure your selection is correct.
    8.
  8. Press the OK button.
    Ink is now filled.
    After about three minutes, a message is shown on the Display Screen instructing you to open the Top Cover.

  Replace the Printhead
  1. Open the Top Cover.
    Instructions are now shown on the Display Screen regarding Printhead replacement.
    2.
  2. If the Printhead Fixer Cover or Printhead Fixer Lever is dirty, use a damp cloth that you have wrung out completely to wipe it clean.
    Important
    •  Do not touch the Linear Scale (a) or Carriage Shaft (b). Touching these parts may damage them.
    •  Never touch the metal contacts of the Carriage. This may damage the printer.
  3. Pull the Printhead Fixer Lever forward all the way to open it completely.
  4. Pull up the Printhead Fixer Cover to open it completely.
  5. Remove the Printhead and press the OK button.
    Note
    •  Dispose of the used Printhead in accordance with local regulations.
  6. Holding the new Printhead by the grips (a), remove it from the pouch.
    Important
    •  When handling the Printhead, always hold it by the grips (a). Never touch the nozzles (b) or metal contacts (c). This may damage the Printhead and affect printing quality.
    •  Never touch the ink supply section (d). This may cause printing problems.
    •  If you need to put a Printhead somewhere temporarily before installation, do not keep the nozzles and metal contacts facing down. If the nozzles or metal contacts are damaged, it may affect the printing quality.
  7. While firmly holding the Printhead you have removed, use your other hand to remove the orange Protective Part (a). Squeeze the grips (c) of Protective Part (b) and pull it down to remove it.
    Important
    •  The inside surface of the Protective Part (a) and Protective Part (b) is coated with ink to protect the nozzles. Be careful not to touch these surfaces when removing the caps.
    •  The Printhead contains ink to protect the nozzles. We recommend removing Protective Part (b) as you hold it over the Printhead package or safely out of the way to avoid spilling ink and staining your clothes or the surrounding area. If ink accidentally spills, wipe off the ink with a dry cloth.
    •  Do not reattach the Protective Part or protective material. Dispose of these materials in accordance with local regulations.
  8. With the nozzles facing down and the metal contacts toward the back, insert the Printhead into the Carriage. Carefully push the printhead firmly into the Carriage, ensuring that the nozzles and metal contacts do not touch the carriage.
  9. Pull the Printhead Fixer Cover down toward the front to lock the Printhead in place.
  10. Push the Printhead Fixer Lever toward the back of the printer until it clicks.
  11. Close the Top Cover.
    Ink now fills the system. It takes about 11 minutes for ink to fill the system.
    Important
    •  Never remove an Ink Tank while the system is filling with ink.
    Note
    •  The procedure is now finished if you have set Rep.P.head Print to Off in the Control Panel menu.
    If so, execute Head Posi. Adj. >Auto(Advanced) in the Control Panel menu.
     (See "Automatic Adjustment to Straighten Lines and Colors (Head Posi. Adj.) (7.2.2).")
  12. Follow the instructions on the Display Screen and supply paper that you will use for printing. After the paper is advanced, Head Posi. Adj. will be executed automatically.
     (See "Automatic Adjustment to Straighten Lines and Colors (Head Posi. Adj.) (7.2.2).")
    Note
    •  When printing fine lines or text at high precision on glossy or semi-glossy photo or proofing paper, set the optimal Printhead height before aligning the printhead.
     (See "Enhancing Printing Quality (7.1.1).")