Canon printer PIXMA iP2600 User Manual

							27 Routine 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 printer is on and then load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain 
paper in the Rear Tray.
2Open the Paper Output Tray and extend the Output Tray Extension.
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left. For details on the Paper Thickness Lever, refer to 
“Inside” in “Main Components” of the User’s Guide on-screen manual.
3Print the pattern.
(1)Open the printer properties dialog box.
(2)In the Maintenance sheet, click Print Head Alignment.
(3)Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
The print head alignment pattern is printed. 
Printing takes about three minutes to complete.
(4)After the pattern is printed, click Ye s.
The dialog for entering a print head alignment 
value is displayed.
Important
Do not open the Top Cover while printing. 
						

							28Routine Maintenance
4Look at the printout and adjust the print head 
position.
(1)Check the printed patterns and select the number 
of the pattern in column A that has the least 
noticeable streaks.
(2)Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the 
pattern number for column L, then click OK.
(3)Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
Note
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the 
setting that produces the least noticeable white 
streaks.
(A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
(B) More noticeable vertical white streaks
(C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
(A) (B)
(C) (D) 
						

							29 Routine Maintenance
1Make sure that the printer is on and load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in 
the Rear Tray.
2Open the Paper Output Tray and extend the Output Tray Extension.
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left. For details on the Paper Thickness Lever, refer to 
“Inside” in “Main Components” of the User’s Guide on-screen manual.
3Print the pattern.
(1)Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility dialog box.
(2)Select Test Print in the pop-up menu.
(3)Click Print Head Alignment.
(4)Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
The print head alignment pattern is printed. Printing 
takes about three minutes to complete.
The dialog for entering a print head alignment 
value is displayed.
Important
Do not open the Top Cover while printing. 
						

							30Routine Maintenance
4Look at the printout and adjust the print head 
position.
(1)Check the printed patterns and select the number 
of the pattern in column A that has the least 
noticeable streaks.
(2)Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the 
pattern number for column L, then click Send.
Note
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the 
setting that produces the least noticeable white 
streaks.
(A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
(B) More noticeable vertical white streaks
(C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
(A) (B)
(C) (D) 
						

							31 Routine Maintenance
Replacing a FINE Cartridge
This section explains the way to confirm the ink status and the procedure to replace FINE 
Cartridges.
When ink runs out or other errors occur, the Alarm lamp flashes orange to inform you of the error. 
See “Alarm Lamp Flashes Orange” on page 53 and confirm how to handle it.
„Getting the Ink Status Information
You can confirm the status of each FINE Cartridge on the printer status monitor (Windows) and 
Canon IJ Printer Utility (Macintosh).
(A) Confirm whether any symbols are displayed here.
Ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new 
FINE Cartridge available.
Ink has run out. Confirm the number of the times the Alarm lamp is flashing, and see “Four 
Flashes: Ink has run out.” on page 53 in “Alarm Lamp Flashes Orange” on page 53, and 
take appropriate action.
Note
zIf there is no improvement with the quality of printing following such maintenance as Print Head 
Cleaning, a FINE Cartridge is probably empty. When ink runs out, replace the FINE Cartridge.
The printer cannot print if the wrong type of FINE Cartridge is used.
zFor information on compatible FINE Cartridges, see the back cover of this guide.
Note
The ink level detector is mounted on the printer to detect the remaining ink level. The printer 
considers as ink is full when a new FINE Cartridge is installed, and then starts to detect a 
remaining ink level. If you install a used FINE Cartridge, the indicated ink level of it may not be 
correct. In such case, refer to the ink level information only as a guide.
Note
Message may be displayed during printing. Confirm the displayed message and take appropriate 
action. 
(A)
(A) 
						

							32Routine Maintenance
Follow the procedure below to open each of the confirmation screens.
(1)Open the printer properties dialog box.
Refer to “Opening the Printer Properties Dialog Box Directly from Control Panel” in 
“Opening the Printer Properties Dialog Box (Windows)” of the User’s Guide on-screen 
manual.
(2)Click View Printer Status on the Maintenance sheet.
To confirm the ink level information, click the Ink Details menu.
(1)Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
Refer to “Opening the Canon IJ Printer Utility (Macintosh)” in the User’s Guide on-screen 
manual.
(2)Select Ink Level Information in the pop-up menu.
To confirm the ink level information, click Ink Details.
Note
You can also display the printer status monitor by clicking the Canon XXX (where “XXX” is your 
printer’s name) which appears on the taskbar during printing. 
						

							33 Routine Maintenance
„Replacing FINE Cartridges
When FINE Cartridges run out of ink, replace them using the following steps.
Important
Handling FINE Cartridges
zDo not touch the electrical contacts or Print Head Nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The printer may 
not print out properly if you touch it.
(A) Electrical Contacts
(B) Print Head Nozzles
zTo maintain optimal printing quality, we recommend the use of specified Canon brand FINE 
Cartridges.
Refilling ink is not recommended.
zOnce you remove a FINE Cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the printer with FINE 
Cartridges removed.
zReplace empty cartridges with new ones. If you insert FINE Cartridges that has been removed 
once, the printer may not print out properly due to some reasons such as clogging of the 
nozzles.
Furthermore, with such cartridges, the Low Ink Warning may not be displayed properly.
zOnce a FINE Cartridge has been installed, do not remove it from the printer and leave it out in 
the open. This will cause the FINE Cartridge to dry out, and the printer may not operate properly 
when it is reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use a FINE Cartridge within six 
months of first use.
NotezIf a FINE Cartridge runs out of ink, you can print with either Color or Black FINE Cartridge, in 
whichever ink remains, only for a while. However the print quality may be reduced compared to 
when printing with both cartridges. Canon recommends to use new FINE cartridges in order to 
obtain optimum qualities.
Even when printing with one ink only, print with leaving the empty FINE Cartridge installed. If 
either of the Color FINE Cartridge or Black FINE Cartridge is not installed, an error occurs and 
the printer cannot print.
For information on how to configure this setting, refer to the PC Printing Guide on-screen 
manual.
zColor ink may be consumed even when printing a black-and-white document or when black-and 
white printing is specified.
Color ink is also consumed in Print Head Cleaning and Print Head Deep Cleaning, which may 
be necessary to maintain the printer’s performance.
(A)
(B) 
						

							34Routine Maintenance
1Open the Paper Output Tray.
2Make sure that the printer is turned on, and then open the Top Cover.
The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the left.
3Remove the empty FINE Cartridge.
(1)Push down the FINE Cartridge.
(2)Remove the FINE Cartridge.
CautionzDo not hold the FINE Cartridge Holder to stop or move it.
zDo not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the printer.
Important
If the Top Cover is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the 
right. Close and reopen the Top Cover to return the holder to the left.
Important
zHandle FINE Cartridges carefully to avoid 
staining clothing or the surrounding area.
zDiscard empty FINE Cartridges according 
to the local laws and regulations regarding 
disposal of consumables.
(1)
(2) 
						

							35 Routine Maintenance
4Prepare the replacement FINE cartridge.
(1)Unpack a new FINE Cartridge and remove the 
orange protective tape (A) gently.
5Install the FINE Cartridge.
(1)Insert a new FINE Cartridge all the 
way into the appropriate slot.
The Black FINE Cartridge should be 
installed into the left slot ( ) and the 
Color FINE Cartridge should be into 
the right slot ( ).
(2)Push up the FINE Cartridge until it 
clicks into place.
Important
zShaking FINE Cartridges may cause ink to spill out 
and stain clothing or the surrounding area. Handle 
FINE Cartridges carefully.
zBe careful not to stain your clothes and hands with 
ink on the removed protective tape.
zDo not reattach the protective tape once you have 
removed it. Discard it according to the local laws 
and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
zDo not touch the electrical contacts or Print Head 
Nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The printer may not 
print out properly if you touch it.
Important
The printer cannot be used unless both the 
FINE Cartridges are installed.
(A)
BC
(1)
B
C
(2) 
						

							36Routine Maintenance
6Close the Top Cover.
Keeping the Best Printing Results
To avoid drying of the Print Head and clogging of the nozzles, note the following.
„When You Turn Off the Printer
Follow the procedure below to turn off the printer.
(1)Press the Power button to turn off the printer.
(2)Confirm that the Power lamp has gone out.
This takes a few seconds or as long as around 15 seconds.
(3)Unplug the power plug from the wall outlet.
If you are using a power outlet strip, you can switch it off instead.
When you press the Power button to turn off the printer, the printer automatically puts a 
protective cap on the Print Head to prevent the ink from drying. If you remove the power plug 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 Printer for a Long Time
When you are not using the printer for a long time, print 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 blocked by dried ink. Periodically printing or 
cleaning the Print Head can prevent this blockage.
If you have not used the printer for a long time, print out the nozzle check pattern to check the 
print head condition before printing.
NotezIf the Alarm lamp still flashes orange after the Top Cover is closed, see “Alarm Lamp Flashes 
Orange” on page 53.
zWhen you start printing after replacing the FINE Cartridge, Print Head Cleaning is performed 
automatically. Do not perform any other operations until Print Head Cleaning finishes. The 
Power lamp flashes green during cleaning.
zIf the straight line is misaligned or the Print Head position is misaligned, align the Print Head 
position.
See “Aligning the Print Head” on page 27.
Note
zInk may blur depending on the paper in the following cases:
– Printed area is traced with a highlight pen or paint-stick, or
– Printed area is stained with water or sweat.
zIf 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 18.