Canon printer PIXMA iP1500 User Manual

							Printing Maintenance
47
How to Display Low Ink Warning Correctly
• Reset the ink counter every time you install a new ink tank.
The ink counter cannot work correctly unless you synchronize it with the actual ink 
level. The ink counter can only be adjusted when it is reset at the time a new ink tank 
is installed.
• Do not reset the ink counter of an ink tank in use.
Synchronization of the counter and the actual ink level will not work properly.
ImportantIf you did not reset the counter when you installed the current ink tanks, 
the low ink warning may not function correctly, until the next time you 
replace the ink tanks. Also, be sure to treat both counters separately.
Refer to "L
Low Ink Warning Accompanied by Ink Tank Icon With '?'"on
page 56.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 47  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
48
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting usually falls into one of the following categories. In this chapter you will 
find the most common printing problems. Refer to the 
User's Guide for additional 
information on topics not covered in this section.
•"C
Cannot Install the Printer Driver" on page 49
•"P
Print Quality is Poor or Contains Errors" on page 50
•"T
Troubleshooting Printer Hardware" on page 52
•"P
Paper Does Not Feed Properly" on page 53
•"H
Handling Error Messages" on page 54
•"A
An Error Message Appears on the Screen" on page 55
When an Error Occurs
The BJ Status Monitor opens and displays a message. Take the appropriate action described 
in the message.
The message may vary depending on your operating system.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 48  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
49
Cannot Install the Printer Driver
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
Cannot Install the 
Printer DriverInstallation 
procedure not 
followed correctlyFollow the Easy Setup Instructions for proper printer driver installation.
If the installer was forced to terminate due to an error, remove the CD-ROM from 
the CD-ROM drive and restart your computer. Reinstall the printer driver. If this 
problem persists, contact the Customer Care Center.
Other applications 
running in the 
backgroundOther applications opened on your computer can interfere with the installation 
routine. Close all open software applications before reinstalling the printer driver. 
Refer to the 
Easy Setup Instructions for installing the printer driver.
Installation does 
not start 
automatically when 
the CD-ROM is 
inserted into the 
drive
If printer driver installation did not start automatically when you inserted the CD-
ROM into the CD-ROM drive:
1. Click S
Start and select MMy Computer.
2. Double-click the CCD-ROM icon.
For non-Windows XP, open the M
My Computer window, and then double-click the CCD-
ROM icon.
Double-click the CCD-ROM icon on your desktop to start installation.
Installation CD-ROM 
not working 
properlyEnsure that there are no problems with the 
Setup Software & User’s Guide CD-
ROM.
Use Windows Explorer to ensure that the CD-ROM can be read.
Ensure that the CCD-ROM icon is displayed on the desktop. 
If there is any problem with the CCD-ROM, contact the Customer Care Center.
Unable to proceed 
beyond the Printer 
Connection Screen
If you cannot proceed beyond the PPrinter 
Connection screen;
1. Click C
Cancel.
2. When the IInstallation Failure screen is 
displayed, click SStart Over.
3. EEasy Intall screen is displayed, click 
Back.
4. Click E
Exit, then remove the CD-ROM.
5. Turn the printer off.
6. Restart the computer.
7. Carefully follow the procedures 
described in the 
Easy Setup Instructionsand reinstall the printer driver.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 49  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
50
Print Quality is Poor or Contains Errors
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
Ink does not eject 
properly/Printing is 
Blurred/ Colors are 
Wrong / White 
Streaks appear / 
Printed Ruled Lines 
are DisplacedInk tank is not seated 
properlyCheck that the ink tanks are firmly seated in the Print Head and reseat them if 
necessary.
See "I
Insert the ink tank."on page 42.
Print Head Nozzles 
cloggedPrint the nozzle check pattern to check for uneven ink output.
See 
"P
Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern"on page 27.
When a specific color is missing from the nozzle check pattern, clean the Print 
Head. 
If ink supply is uneven: See "P
Print Head Cleaning"on page 31.
Print Head is 
misalignedAlign the Print Head. See "A
Aligning the Print Head"on page 37.
Media not loaded with 
the print-side upCheck that your paper is loaded with the correct print side facing up.
Incorrect paper type
On the MMain tab, ensure that the MMedia Type selected matches the media 
loaded.
In the  Print dialog box, select QQuality & Media from the pop-up menu, and 
then ensure that the MMedia Type selected matches the media loaded.
Glossy photo paper 
other than the Canon 
speciality media is 
usedSelecting O
Other Photo Paper from MMedia Type, which may resolve the problem.
Load one sheet at a time and remove each sheet as soon as it is printed.
Print Quality not set 
properlyBe sure to set the P
Print Quality setting to HHigh for Windows or  Fine for
Macintosh.
On the MMain tab, click HHigh for the PPrintQuality setting.
1. In the  Print dialog box, select QQuality & Media from the pop-up menu, and 
then click DDetailed Setting.
2. Drag the PPrint Quality slide bar to the FFine end.
Printed Paper Curls 
or Ink BlotsPaper being used is 
too thinUse High Resolution Paper or Photo Paper Pro to print images that require a lot 
of ink (i.e. pictures with intense colors or photographs).
Color Intensity setting 
is too high Reduce the Intensity setting in the printer driver and try printing again.
1. Open the PPrinterProperties dialog box.
2. On the MMain tab, select MManual for  Color Adjustment, and then click SSet.
3. Drag the IIntensity slide bar to adjust the intensity.
1. In the  Print dialog box, select CColor Option from the pop-up menu.
2. Drag the IIntensity slide bar to set the intensity.
Note Follow the instructions packaged with your speciality media for 
loading and handling.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 50  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
51
Printed Surface is 
Scratched/Back of 
Paper is SmudgedMedia is curled If media is curled, its print side may be smudged by touching the Print Head. 
Uncurl the media.
See “U
Uncurling the Media” in the User’s Guide.
Inside of the printer is 
dirty.Periodically clean the inside of the printer with cotton swabs or the like. 
See “C
Cleaning the Inside of the Printer” in the User’s Guide.
Inappropriate paper 
type usedCheck to see if the paper you are printing on is too thick or curled.
See "P
Print Media to Avoid"on page 3.
Note that smudging may occur at the top and bottom edges of the paper when 
using Borderless Printing. Ensure that the paper you are using is compatible 
with Borderless Printing.
See "MMedia Types Suitable for Borderless Printing"on page 23.
See "MMedia Types Suitable for Borderless Printing"on page 23.
Paper Feed Roller is 
dirtyClean the Paper Feed Roller.
See 
"P
Paper Does Not Feed Properly"on page 53.
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 51  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
52
Troubleshooting Printer Hardware
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
Printer Does Not 
Start or Printer 
Stops During 
Print JobsPrint Head has 
overheated due to 
long periods of 
continuous printingStop printing and turn the printer off for at least 15 minutes to allow the Print Head 
to cool down.
The Print Head tends to overheat when printing continuously for long periods of 
time. The Print Head is designed to automatically pause at line breaks before 
resuming printing in order to cool down.
Printing high-
resolution 
photographs and 
graphicsWait until the print job finishes.
The P
POWER lamp flashes green while the print data is being processed. Printing 
photographs and high-density graphics can take time.
Printer cable is too 
longAvoid using USB cables longer than 16.4 feet.
There may be 
problems in your 
operating systemRestart your computer. It may solve the problem.
Delete an undesired print job if there is any. Use BJ Status Monitor in Windows or 
Printer Setup Utility in Macintosh for the deletion. If you are using the OS other 
than Mac OS X v.10.3, use the P
Print Center for deletion.
1. Open the PPrinter Properties dialog box.
See "OOpening the Printer Properties Dialog Box from Your Application Program"
on page 14.
2. Click M
Maintenance tab and then SStart Status Monitor.
3. Click DDisplay Print Queue.
4. Select CCancel All Documents in the PPrinter menu.
When the confirmation messages is displayed, click YYes.
The print job is deleted.
1. Select AApplications from the GGo menu.
2. Double-click the PPrinter Setup Utility icon in the UUtilities folder.
If you are using the OS other than Mac OS X v.10.3, double-click the PPrint 
Center icon.
3. Double-click i
iP1500 displayed under NName in the PPrinter List.
4. Click to select an undesired document and click .
The print job is deleted.
Cannot Print to 
End of JobIncorrect page size 
selectedEnsure that the page size setting matches the size of the paper loaded in the 
printer:
-Check the P
Paper Size setting from within your application to ensure that it 
matches the size of the paper loaded.
-Check the P
Page Setup tab in the PPrinter Properties dialog box (for Windows) or 
the PPage Setup dialog box (for Macintosh) to ensure that it matches the size of 
the paper loaded.
Not enough free 
space on hard diskYour operating system may be out of free disk space.
Check the available space on your computer’s hard disk.
Caution The area around the Print Head can become extremely hot during 
extended print operation. Always avoid touching the Print Head and 
its peripheral components.
Note I
In Windows Me or Windows 98
Click to select an undesired document and select PPurge Print 
Documents in the PPrinter menu.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 52  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
53
Paper Does Not Feed Properly
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
Paper Does Not 
Feed ProperlyInappropriate paper 
type used• Check to see if the paper you are printing on is too thick or curled.
See "PPrint Media to Avoid"on page 3.
• Check if the paper exceeds the load limit mark ( ). If it exceeds, load less 
paper.
See "L
Load the paper."on page 4.
Paper Feed Roller is 
dirtyFollow the steps described below to clean the Paper Feed Rollers.
If envelopes or post cards do not feed properly, even after correcting any paper 
curl, clean the Paper Feed Roller.
Three sheets of Letter paper are required for the cleaning. Have them on hand.
1. Ensure that the printer is on and there is no paper loaded in the printer.
2. Open the PPrinter Properties dialog box.
3. Click the MMaintenance tab.
4. Click RRoller Cleaning.
5. The confirmation message is displayed.
Follow the instruction on the screen.
1. Ensure that the printer is on and there is no paper loaded in the printer.
2. Open the PPage Setup dialog box.
3. Click UUtilities....
4. Select CCleaning from the pull-down menu.
5. Click RRoller Cleaning.
6. The confirmation message is displayed.
Follow the instruction on the screen.
Paper Jams Remove the paper according to the following procedure.
1. Gently pull the jammed paper out of the Sheet Feeder or the Paper Output Slot, 
whichever is easier.
• If the paper tears and some of it is left in the printer, 
open the Front Cover and remove the piece of paper. 
Do not touch internal parts in the printer.
• If you cannot extract the paper, turn the printer off, 
and then turn it back on. The remaining paper will be 
ejected automatically.
2. Close the Front Cover.
3. Reload the paper into the Auto Sheet Feeder, then press the R
RESUME/CANCEL
button on the printer.
If you cannot remove the paper or if the paper tears inside the printer, or if the 
paper jam error continues after removing the paper, contact the Customer Care 
Center.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 53  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
54
Handling Error Messages
When a printer error occurs, the PPOWER/ERROR lamp flashes. The number of flashes 
indicates the type of error that has occurred. Count the flashes and take the appropriate 
action to correct the error.
* The waste ink absorber absorbs ink used at cleaning and so on. When you experience this error, you must replace the waste 
ink absorber and check the printer.
Number of 
FlashesPossible CauseTr y This
Two flashes Printer is out of 
paperReload paper and press the RRESUME/CANCEL button.
Three flashes Paper jam If a paper jam occurs, clear the jammed paper, reload paper in the printer, then 
press the R
RESUME/CANCEL button. See "PPaper Jams"on page 53.
Four flashes Ink tanks installed 
incorrectlyReinstall the ink tanks. Ensure that the tanks are firmly seated in the Print Head.
Five flashes No Print Head 
installed / Defective 
Print HeadInstall a Print Head correctly. Press the P
POWER button to turn off the printer, and 
press the PPOWER button again to turn on the printer. If the same error occurs, the 
Print Head may be defective. Contact the Customer Care Center.
Eight  flashes Waste ink absorber* 
almost fullThe printer has a built-in waste ink absorber to hold the ink consumed during Print 
Head cleaning. Eight flashes indicates that this absorber is nearly full.
Press the R
RESUME/CANCEL button to clear the error so printing can continue. 
Contact the Customer Care Center.
An error that requires contacting the Customer Care Center may have occurred.
Disconnect the printer cable from the printer, and then turn the printer off and 
unplug the printer from the power supply. Reconnect the printer cable, and then 
plug the printer back in and turn the printer back on after leaving it for a while. If 
the problem remains, contact the Customer Care Center.
Note PPOWER lamp flashes 
alternately green and 
orange
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 54  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
55
An Error Message Appears on the Screen
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
Error Writing / 
Output to USBnnn or 
MPUSBPRNnn Printer not ready The POWER lamp will flash green when the printer is warming up or when a print 
job is being sent to the printer. It will glow a steady (non-flashing) green when it 
is ready for use or when the print job is completed.
Paper is not loaded Load paper and press the R
RESUME/CANCEL button.
Faulty connection Ensure that the printer cable is securely connected to the computer.
Printer port error Verify the printer port status.
Double-click U
Universal Serial Bus (USB) controllers on the DDevice Manager
dialog box, then double-click CCanon PIXMA iP1500 to see the status. 
Refer to the User's Guide for instructions on how to verify the status.
Printer port settings 
and printer 
interface do not 
matchEnsure that the destination Printer Port is set to MPUSBPRNnn (C
Canon PIXMA
iP1500) or USBnnn (CCanon PIXMAiP1500) (Where nn represents a number).
If the settings are not correct, follow the procedures described in the Easy Setup 
Instructions and reinstall the printer driver.
Refer to the User’s Guide for instructions on how to verify status and the correct 
action to take.
Printer driver is not 
installed properlyUninstall then reinstall the printer driver.
1. Click S
Start, and select AAll Programs (or PPrograms), CCanon PIXMA iP1500, and 
Uninstall.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall driver.
3. Follow the procedures described in the 
Easy Setup Instructions and reinstall 
the printer driver.
“Error No.: 300” Printer not ready If the P
POWER lamp is off, turn the printer on.
If the PPOWER lamp is flashing green, the printer is initializing. Wait until the 
POWER lamp stops flashing.
Printer not properly 
connectedEnsure that the printer is securely connected to the computer.
Your printer name is 
not displayed in the 
Printer List of 
Printer Setup Utility
(or P
Print Center).1. Select A
Applications from the GGo menu.
2. Double-click the PPrinter Setup Utility icon in the UUtilities folder.
If you are using the OS other than Mac OS X v.10.3, double-click the PPrint 
Center icon.
3. Ensure that i
iP1500 is displayed in the PPrinter List.
If iiP1500 is not displayed in the PPrinter List, reinstall the printer driver.
NoteIf you are using switching hub or other device, disconnect the 
printer and reconnect it directly to the computer and try printing 
again. 
If successful, the problem may have been with the device.
There could also be a problem with the cable(s). Replace the 
cable(s) and try printing again.
NoteIf you are using switching hub or other device, disconnect the 
printer and reconnect it directly to the computer and try printing 
again. 
If successful, the problem may have been with the device.
There could also be a problem with the cable(s). Replace the 
cable(s) and try printing again.
NoteIf the problem persists, delete all unnecessary documents 
from the Extensions and Control Panels folder.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 55  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM 
						

							Troubleshooting
56
ProblemPossible CauseTr y This
Have you replaced 
ink tank with a new 
one? message is 
displayedIf the ink tank has 
been replaced with 
a new one
Click Yes to reset the ink counter.
 See "
Resetting the Ink Counter"on page 43.
If the Front Cover 
has been open for a 
certain period (the 
ink tank has not 
been replaced)Click No or Cancel on the dialog box described above.
You can choose the option to disable the diaplay of this confirmation message.
1. Ensure that the printer is turned on and open the PPrinter Properties dialog 
box.
2. Click the M
Maintenance tab and then click LLow Ink Warning Setting.
3. Clear a check box of DDiaplay a confirmation message of ink tank replacement 
and click  Send.
Low Ink Warning 
Accompanied by Ink 
Tank Icon With '?'Failure to reset ink 
counter when 
installing new ink 
tankThe ink tank level accompanied by the ink tank icon with the “?” indicates ink 
tank is not synchronized with its ink counter.
Always be sure to reset the ink counter in your printer driver when you replace 
ink tank. See "R
Resetting the Ink Counter"on page 43.
A “?” is displayed next to the Ink counter between the time one ink tank is 
removed and the ink counter is reset when the next one is installed. Display of 
the “?” can be disabled by unchecking the D
Display low Ink Warning check box.
1. Open the P
Printer Properties dialog box.
2. Click the MMaintenance tab and then click LLow Ink Warning Setting icon.
3. Clear a check box of DDisplay low ink warning off and click SSend.
If you do not want to display the remaining ink level in the IInk Level Information,
clear a check box of Display the remaining ink level.
1. Select A
Applications from the GGo menu.
2. Double-click the PPrinter Setup Utility icon in the UUtilities folder.
If you are using the OS other than Mac OS X v.10.3, double-click the PPrint 
Center icon.
3. Select i
iP1500 from the NName List and click UUtility or CConfigure.
4. Select iiP1500 from the PProduct list and click MMaintenance.
5. Select RRemaining ink Level setting from the pop-up menu.
6. Click RRemaining Ink Level Indicator Setting icon.
Clear a check box of DDisplay the remaining ink Level and click SSend.
iP1500_QSG_US.book  Page 56  Tuesday, April 27, 2004  5:26 PM