Canon printer PIXMA iP4300 User Manual

							27
Routine Maintenance
* When the  ALARM lamp on the printer flashes orange seven, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen 
times, an error has occurred and the printer  is unable to print. For details, “ALARM Lamp 
Flashes Orange” on page 76.
z Ink Level Indication on the Computer
Open the  Canon IJ Status Monitor  to check the ink level information.
(1) Open the printer properties dialog box.
(2) Click  View Printer Status  on the Maintenance  tab.
The following message is displayed.
*1 Confirm whether any symbols are displayed here.
Ink is low: 
The “!” symbol appears above an ink tank with  low ink. Obtain a replacement tank as 
soon as possible.
Ink may have run out:
The “x” symbol appears above a tank that may have run out of ink and the “Ink may have 
run out.” message is displayed. Replace the ink tank with a new one.
Ink is out:
The “x” symbol appears above a tank has run out of ink and the “Ink has run out.” 
message is displayed, and then an error mess age informing you that you need to replace 
the ink tank is displayed. Replace t he ink tank with a new one immediately.
* To confirm the ink tank information, click the  Ink Details menu.
* You can also display the  Canon IJ Status Monitor by clicking the Canon IJ Status Monitor  
button which appears on the taskbar during printing.
Open the  Canon IJ Printer Utility  to check the ink level information.
(1) Open the  Canon IJ Printer Utility .
The  Canon IJ Printer Utility  is displayed.
(2) Select  Ink Level Information  in the pop-up menu.
The following dialog box is displayed.
*1 
						

							28Routine Maintenance
*1 Confirm whether any symbols are displayed here.
Ink is low: 
The “!” symbol appears above an ink tank with  low ink. Obtain a replacement tank as 
soon as possible.
Ink is out or may have run out: 
The “x” symbol appears above a tank that is out or may have run out of ink. Replace the 
ink tank with a new one.
* To confirm the ink tank information, click  About ink.
„Knowing When to Replace Ink Tank
When ink has run out or may have run out in an ink tank, the  ALARM lamp flashes orange four 
or sixteen times. When ink has run out or may hav e run out in an ink tank while printing, one of 
the following messages is displayed on your co mputer. Confirm the empty tank and replace it 
with a new one. After replacing the tank,  close the Top Cover to resume printing.
If the ALARM lamp flashes orange four times
zInk may have run out. Replacing the ink tank is recommended.
z Click  Cancel Printing  to cancel printing. Replace the ink tank with a new one.
z If printing is in progress and you want to continue printing, press the  RESUME/CANCEL 
button with the ink tank installed. Then prin ting can continue. Replacing the ink tank is 
recommended after the printing. The printer may be damaged if printing is continued under 
the ink out condition.
Note
When ink is low, the “!” symbol appears above an ink tank with low ink in the  Canon IJ Status 
Monitor . Obtain a replacement tank as soon as possible.
*1 
						

							29
Routine Maintenance
*1 Ink tank that may have run out of ink
If the ALARM lamp flashes orange sixteen times
z Ink has run out. Replace the ink tank.
Printing under the current condition may damage the printer.
z Click  Cancel Printing  to cancel printing. Replace the ink tank with a new one.
z If you want to continue printing in this condit ion, you need to release the function for detecting 
the remaining ink level. Press and hold the  RESUME/CANCEL button for at least 5 seconds, 
and then release it.
* With this operation, releasing the functi on for detecting the remaining ink level is 
memorized, and the  Canon IJ Status Monitor  will no longer display the remaining ink level. 
Please be advised that Canon shall not be liable  for any malfunction or trouble which may be 
caused by continuation of prin ting under the ink out condition.
*1 Ink tank with no ink.
*1
*1 
						

							30Routine Maintenance
If the ALARM lamp flashes orange four times
zInk may have run out. Replacing the ink tank is recommended.
z Click  Delete Job  to cancel the current printing job. Click  Stop Job to stop the current printing 
job. Click  Stop All Jobs  to stop all printing jobs. Replace the ink tank with a new one.
z If printing is in progress and you want to continue printing, press the  RESUME/CANCEL 
button with the ink tank installed. Then prin ting can continue. Replacing the ink tank is 
recommended after the printing. The printer may be damaged if printing is continued under 
the ink out condition.
If the ALARM lamp flashes orange sixteen times
z Ink has run out. Replace the ink tank.
Printing under the current condition may damage the printer.
z Click  Delete Job  to cancel the current printing job. Click  Stop Job to stop the current printing 
job. Click  Stop All Jobs  to stop all printing jobs. Replace the ink tank with a new one.
z If you want to continue printing in this condit ion, you need to release the function for detecting 
the remaining ink level. Press and hold the  RESUME/CANCEL button for at least 5 seconds, 
and then release it.
* With this operation, releasing the functi on for detecting the remaining ink level is 
memorized, and the  Canon IJ Printer Utility  will no longer display the remaining ink level. 
Please be advised that Canon shall not be liable  for any malfunction or trouble which may be 
caused by continuation of prin ting under the ink out condition. 
						

							31
Routine Maintenance
„ Replacing Ink Tanks
When ink tanks run out of ink, replace them using the following steps.
1Open the Paper Output Tray and the Inner Cover forward to open it.
2Make sure that the printer is on, and then open the Top Cover. 
The Print Head Holder moves to the center.
3Remove the ink tank whose lamp is flashing fast.
(1) Push the tab and remove the ink tank.
Important
Handling Ink
zTo maintain optimal printing quality, we recommend the use of specified Canon brand ink tanks.
Refilling ink is not recommended.
z Once you remove an ink tank, replace it immediately. Do not leave the printer with ink tanks 
removed.
z Replace empty tanks with new ones. Inserting partially used ink tanks may cause the nozzles to 
clog. Furthermore, with such tanks, the printer will not be able to inform you when to replace the 
tanks properly.
z Once an ink tank has been installed, do not remove it from the printer and leave it out in the 
open. This will cause the ink tank to dry out, and the printer may not operate properly when it is 
reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use an ink tank within six months of first use.
z Color 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. When an ink tank is out of ink, replace it 
immediately with a new one.
CautionzDo not hold the Print Head Holder to stop or move it.
z Do not touch the metallic parts inside the printer.
Important
If the Top Cover is left open for more than 10 minutes, the Print Head Holder moves to the right. 
Close and reopen the Top Cover to return the holder to the center.
ImportantzHandle ink tanks carefully to avoid staining clothing 
or the surrounding area.
z Discard empty ink tanks according to the local laws 
and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
Note
zDo not remove more than one ink tank at a time. Be 
sure to replace ink tanks one by one when 
replacing more than one ink tank.
z For details on ink tank flashing speed, see “Getting 
the Ink Level Information” on page 26.
*1*1 Do NOT touch the Print Head Lock 
Lever; remove only the ink tank. 
						

							32Routine Maintenance
4Prepare the replacement tank.
(1)Remove the new ink tank from its packaging, 
then pull the orange tape in the direction of the 
arrow (A) so that the protective film does not 
remain on the air hole (B). Then remove the 
film completely (C).
(2) Remove the orange protective cap from the 
bottom of the ink tank.
Discard the cap once it is removed.
Important
Make sure that all the orange tape has been peeled off 
along the perforation. If part of the orange tape is 
remaining, ink may leak out when you remove the 
protective cap and may not eject properly when 
printing.
Important
zBe sure to remove the clear film from the ink tank in 
the exact order shown in step 4-(1), as failure to 
follow this step may cause the ink to leak and stain 
your clothes and hands.
z Do not squeeze the side of ink tanks as this may 
cause the ink to leak out and stain your clothes and 
hands.
z Do not re-attach the protective cap once you have 
removed it. Discard it according to the local laws 
and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
z Do not touch the open ink port once the protective 
cap is removed, as this may prevent the ink from 
being ejected properly. 
z Be careful not to stain your clothes and hands with 
ink on the removed protective cap.
*2
(C)
(A)
*1
(B)
(1)
(2)
*1 Do not touch the electrical contacts  on the ink tank. Doing so can cause 
the printer to malfunction or become 
unable to print.
*2 Carefully hold the protective cap  when removing it to prevent the ink 
from staining your fingers. 
						

							33
Routine Maintenance
5Install the ink tank.
(1) Insert the front end of the ink tank into the Print 
Head.
(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.
6Close the Inner Cover.
7Close the Top Cover.
Important
The printer cannot be used unless all the ink tanks are 
installed.
Note
Make sure that the Inner Cover is closed. Printing will 
not start with the Inner Cover open since paper can not 
be fed properly.
Note
zIf the  ALARM  lamp still flashes orange after the Top Cover is closed, see “ALARM Lamp 
Flashes Orange” on page 76.
z When you start printing after replacing the ink tank, Print Head Cleaning is performed 
automatically. Do not perform any other operations until Print Head Cleaning finishes. The 
POWER  lamp flashes green during cleaning.
(1)
(2)
(3)
*1
*1 Make sure the position of the  tank matches the label. 
						

							34Routine 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 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 20 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  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 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 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 bl ocked by dried ink. Periodically printing or 
cleaning the Print Head can prevent this blockage.
Note
z If the printed area is traced with a highlight pen or paint-stick or stained with water or sweat, ink 
may blur depending on the paper.
z If the print head nozzles get clogged, printouts will become faint or particular colors will not be 
printed properly. For details, “When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect” on 
page 35. 
						

							35
Routine 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 the ruled lines are shifted after running print head maintenance, align the Print Head.
z If the Ruled Lines Are Shifted
Note
Before performing maintenance
zOpen the Top Cover and make sure that all lamps for the ink tanks are lit red.
– If any one of the lamps is flashing slowly, the associated ink tank is running low. You can continue 
printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a replacement ink tank available.
– If any one of the lamps is flashing fast, the associated ink tank is empty. Replace the ink tank. See “Replacing Ink Tanks” on page 31.
If an ink lamp is flashing fast even though ink remains in that ink tank, it is inserted in the wrong 
position. Make sure that the ink tank of the correct color is inserted in each position, matching the 
label. See “Replacing an Ink Tank” on page 26.
– If the ink tank lamp is not lit, the tank is not set properly. Press the   mark on the ink tank until the  tank clicks into place. Make sure that all packaging material is peeled off the ink tank. See “Prepare 
the replacement tank.” on page 32.
z Increase the  Print Quality  setting in the printer driver settings.
See “Print Results Not Satisfactory” on page 64.
Step 1
See “Printing the Nozzle  Check Pattern” on page 36.
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 39.
If the problem is not resolved after performing 
Print Head Cleaning twice
Step 3
See “Print Head Deep Cleaning” on page 42.
Note
If Print Head Deep Cleaning does not resolve the problem, the Print Head may be damaged. Contact your 
Canon service representative.
Step 1
See “Aligning the Print Head” on page 44. 
						

							36Routine Maintenance
Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern
Print the nozzle check pattern to determine whet her the ink ejects properly from the print head 
nozzles. 
1With the printer on, load a sheet of A4 or  Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet 
Feeder or Cassette.
2Press the Open Button to open the Paper Ou tput Tray and extend the Output Tray 
Extension.
3Press the  Paper Feed Switch  to select the paper source in which you loaded the 
paper.
4Open the printer properties dialog box.
5Print the Nozzle Check Pattern.
(1) Click the  Maintenance  tab.
(2) Click  Nozzle Check .
(3) Read the message and click  Print Check 
Pattern .
The nozzle check pattern is printed. Do not 
open the Top Cover while printing.
6Examine the pattern and take the appropriate action.
See “Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 38.
Note
z Make sure that the Inner Cover is closed.
Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern Without a Computer
z Nozzle check pattern printing can be performed also from the printer itself using the  RESUME/CANCEL 
button.
1. With the printer on, load a sheet of A4 or Lette r-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or 
Cassette.
2. Press the Open Button to open the Paper Output Tray and extend the Output Tray Extension.
3. Press the  Paper Feed Switch  to select the paper source in which you loaded the paper.
4. Hold down the  RESUME/CANCEL  button until the POWER lamp flashes green twice, and 
then release it immediately.
The nozzle check pattern is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
Note
Clicking  Initial Check Items  displays the items to 
be checked before printing the pattern.