Canon Pixma Mp520 Quick Start Guide

							47 Routine Maintenance
5Install the ink tank.
(1)Insert the front end of the ink tank into the Print 
Head.
(G) Make sure the position of the tank matches 
the label.
(2)Press on the   mark on the ink tank until the 
ink tank snaps firmly into place.
(3)Make sure that the ink lamp lights up red.
6Lift the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) slightly to set the Scanning Unit Support back 
to its original position, and then gently close the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover).
Important
Install all the ink tanks to print. The machine cannot be 
used unless all the ink tanks are installed.
(G)
(1)
(3)(2)
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48Routine Maintenance
Caution
When you set the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, hold the Scanning Unit 
(Printer Cover) firmly using both hands, and be careful not to get your fingers caught.
NotezIf the error message is still displayed after the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) is closed, see “An 
Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD” on page 68.
z When you start printing after replacing the ink tank, Print Head Cleaning is performed 
automatically. Do not start another operation until the machine has stopped making operating 
noises.
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49
Routine Maintenance
Keeping the Best Printing Results
To avoid drying of the Print Head and cl ogging of the nozzles, note the following.
„When You Turn Off the Machine
Follow the procedure below to turn off the machine.
(1) Press the  ON/OFF button to turn off the machine.
(2) Confirm that the  Power lamp has gone out.
This takes a few seconds or  as long as around 30 seconds.
(3) Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
If you are using a power outlet strip, you can switch it off instead.
When you press the  ON/OFF button to turn off the machine, the machine automatically puts a 
protective cap on the Print Head to prevent the ink from drying. If you remove the power cord or 
switch off the power outlet strip before the  Power lamp goes out, this capping will not be done 
properly, causing the Print Head to dry and clog.
„ When You Are Not Using the Machine for a Long Time
When you are not using the machine for a long time , print or copy in both black & white and in 
color, or perform Print Head Cleaning, about once a month to prevent degradation of the Print 
Head.
Numerous nozzles are installed in the Print  Head for high-precision printing. Just as the 
uncapped tip of a ballpoint pen or marker becomes  dry and unusable if it is not used for a long 
period of time, the print head nozzles become bl ocked by dried ink. Periodically printing or 
cleaning the Print Head can prevent this blockage.
Note
z Ink may blur depending on the paper in the following cases;
– Printed area is traced with a highlight pen or paint-stick
– Printed area is stained with water or sweat
z If the print head nozzles get clogged, printouts will become faint or particular colors will not be printed 
properly. For details, see “When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect” on page 50.
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50Routine Maintenance
When Printing Becomes Fain t or Colors Are Incorrect
When printing becomes faint or colors are incorrect  even if ink remains in the ink tanks, the print 
head nozzles are probably clogged. Print the nozzle c heck pattern to confirm the condition of the 
nozzles and then perform Print Head Cleaning.
If print results are not satisfactory, performing Print Head Alignment may improve print quality.
z If the Ruled Lines Are Shifted
Note
Before performing maintenance
zOpen the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) and make sure that all lamps for the ink tanks are lit red.
If not, see “Getting the Ink Status Information” on page 43 and take the appropriate action.
z Increase the  Print Quality  setting in the printer driver settings.
See “Print Results Not Satisfactory” on page 73.
Step 1
See “Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 51.
If lines are missing or if white streaks appearAfter cleaning the 
Print Head, print 
and examine the 
nozzle check  pattern.
Step 2
See “Print Head Cleaning” on page 54.
If the problem is not resolved after performing Print Head Cleaning twice
Step 3
See “Print Head Deep Cleaning” on page 55.
Note
If Print Head Deep Cleaning does not resolve the problem, the Print Head may be damaged. Contact your 
Canon service representative.
See “Aligning the Print Head” on page 56.
Note
You can also perform the maintenance operation from your computer. For details, refer to the  PC Printing 
Guide  on-screen manual.
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51
Routine Maintenance
Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern
Print the nozzle check pattern to determine whet her the ink ejects properly from the print head 
nozzles.
1Make sure that the machine is turned on, open the Front Tray, and extend the 
Output Paper Support.
2Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray or Front Tray.
3Press the  Paper Feed Switch  to select the paper source where you have loaded 
paper.
4Print the nozzle check pattern.
(1) Press the  HOME button.
The  HOME  screen is displayed.
(2) Select  Settings , then press the  OK button.
The  Settings  screen is displayed.
(3) Select  Maintenance , then press the  OK button.
The  Maintenance  screen is displayed.
(4) Select  Nozzle check pattern  and then press 
the  OK button.
The pattern print confirmation screen is 
displayed.
(5) Select  Ye s and then press the  OK button.
The nozzle check pattern is printed, and the  pattern confirmation screens are displayed 
alternately.
5Examine the pattern and take the appropriate action.
See “Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 52.
(4)
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52Routine Maintenance
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Examine the nozzle check pattern,  and perform cleaning if necessary.
1Check the nozzle check pattern you printed.
(1)Check if lines in this pattern are missing.
(A) Good
(B) Lines are missing
(2) Check if there are white streaks in this pattern.
(C) Good
(D) White streaks present
Note
If the ink level is low, the nozzle check pattern is not printed correctly. Replace the relevant ink tank.
See “Replacing an Ink Tank” on page 43.
(2)
(1)
(A) (B)
(C) (D)
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53
Routine Maintenance
2The confirmation screens for white streaks and missing lines are displayed 
alternately. Select the pattern that is closer to the nozzle check pattern that you 
printed.
z If There Are No Missing Lines and No White Streaks
(1) Select  All A and press the  OK button.
The LCD returns to the Maintenance screen.
z If Lines Are Missing or White Streaks Are Present
(1) Select  Also B  and press the  OK button.
The cleaning confirmati on screen is displayed.
(2) Select  Ye s and press the  OK button to start Print Head Cleaning.
See “Print Head Cleaning” on page 54.
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54Routine Maintenance
Print Head Cleaning
Clean the Print Head if lines are missing or if  white streaks appear in the printed nozzle check 
pattern. Cleaning unclogs the nozzle s and restores the print head condition. Note that cleaning the 
Print Head causes used ink to be absorbed in t he ink absorber. Cleaning the Print Head consumes 
ink, so perform Print Head Cleaning only when necessary.
1Make sure that the machine is turned on, open the Front Tray, and extend the 
Output Paper Support.
2Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray or Front Tray.
3Press the  Paper Feed Switch  to select the paper source where you have loaded 
paper.
4Start Print Head Cleaning.
(1) Press the  HOME button.
The  HOME  screen is displayed.
(2) Select  Settings , then press the  OK button.
The  Settings  screen is displayed.
(3) Select  Maintenance , then press the  OK button.
The  Maintenance  screen is displayed.
(4) Select  Cleaning , then press the  OK button.
The confirmation sc reen is displayed.
(5) Select  Ye s, then press the  OK button.
Print Head Cleaning starts.
Do not perform any other operations until Pr int Head Cleaning finishes. This takes about 
40 seconds.
The pattern print confirmation screen is displayed.
(6) Select  Ye s, then press the  OK button.
The nozzle check pattern is printed.
5Check the print head condition with the printed nozzle check pattern, and take 
appropriate action.
See “Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 52.
Note
If the problem is not resolved after performing Print Head Cleaning twice, try Print Head Deep 
Cleaning. See “Print Head Deep Cleaning” on page 55.
(4)
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55
Routine Maintenance
Print Head Deep Cleaning
If print quality does not improve by standard  Print Head Cleaning, try Print Head Deep Cleaning, 
which is a more powerful process. Note that cl eaning the Print Head causes used ink to be absorbed 
in the ink absorber. Print Head Deep Cleaning consumes more ink than standard Print Head 
Cleaning, so perform this procedure only when necessary.
1Make sure that the machine is turned on, open the Front Tray, and extend the 
Output Paper Support.
2Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray or Front Tray.
3Press the  Paper Feed Switch  to select the paper source where you have loaded 
paper.
4Start Print Head Deep Cleaning.
(1) Press the  HOME button.
The  HOME  screen is displayed.
(2) Select  Settings , then press the  OK button.
The  Settings  screen is displayed.
(3) Select  Maintenance , then press the  OK button.
The  Maintenance  screen is displayed.
(4) Select  Deep cleaning , then press the  OK 
button.
The confirmation sc reen is displayed.
(5) Select  Ye s, then press the  OK button.
Print Head Deep Cleaning starts.
Do not perform any other operations until Pr int Head Deep Cleaning finishes. This takes 
about 1 minute 30 seconds.
5Check the condition of the Print Head.
(1) Print the nozzle check pattern to check the print head condition.
See “Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 51.
If a particular color is not printed properly, replace the ink tank of that color.
See “Replacing an Ink Tank” on page 43.
(2) If the problem is not resolved, turn off the machine and perform another Print Head Deep 
Cleaning after 24 hours.
(3) If this does not solve the problem, the Print Head may be damaged. Contact your Canon 
service representative.
(4)
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							56Routine Maintenance
Aligning the Print Head
If ruled lines are printed misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, adjust the print head 
position.
1Make sure that the machine is turned on, open the Front Tray, and extend the 
Output Paper Support.
2Load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray or Front Tray.
3Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded 
paper.
4Print the print head alignment pattern.
(1)Press the HOME button.
The HOME screen is displayed.
(2)Select Settings, then press the OK button.
The Settings screen is displayed.
(3)Select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
(4)Select Manual head align, then press the OK 
button.
The confirmation screen is displayed.
(5)Select Ye s, then press the OK button.
The print head alignment pattern is printed.
(6)When “Did the patterns print correctly?” is 
displayed, confirm that the pattern is printed 
correctly, select Ye s, then press the OK button.
The input screen for the head position 
adjustment values is displayed.
Note
If you select Head alignment print, the machine exits 
the process after printing the current
head position adjustment values.
(4)
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