Canon printer PIXMA iP4500 User Manual

							67
Troubleshooting
„ Printing Does Not Start/Printing Is Blurred/Colors Are Wrong/Straight 
Lines Are Misaligned
„ Printed Paper Curls or Has Ink Blots
CauseAction
Ink tank is empty. Open the Top Cover of the printer to confirm how the ink lamps light or flash, 
and then take the appropriate action depending on the error condition. For 
details, see “Getting the Ink Status Information” on page 28.
The protective film is remaining. Make sure all of the protective film is peeled off and the air hole is exposed, as  illustrated in (A). If the orange tape is left as in (B), pull the orange tape and 
remove it.
(A) Correct
L-shaped air hole is exposed.
(B) Incorrect The tape is not peeled off.
Print Head nozzles are clogged. Print the nozzle check pattern to check for uneven ink output. For details on how to print the nozzle check pattern, how to clean the Print 
Head, and how to perform Print Head Deep Cleaning, see “When Printing 
Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect” on page 34.
zIf the nozzle check pattern does not print out properly
Check if any of the missing colors are due to empty tanks.
If there is plenty of ink and the printer does not print, clean the Print Head 
and then print the nozzle check pattern to check that ink is ejecting properly.
z If the problem is not resolved after performing Print Head Cleaning 
twice
Perform Print Head Deep Cleaning.
If the problem is not resolved after performing Print Head Deep Cleaning, 
turn off the printer and perform Print Head Deep Cleaning again after 24 
hours or later.
z If the problem is still not resolved after performing Print Head Deep 
Cleaning twice
The Print Head may be damaged. Contact your Canon Service 
representative.
The media is loaded with the wrong 
side facing upwards. Many types of paper are made to be printed on only a particular side of the 
paper.
Printing on the wrong side may cause unclear prints or prints with reduced 
quality.
Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the paper for detailed information 
on the printable side.
Print Head is misaligned. See “Aligning the Print Head” on page 43 and perform Print Head Alignment.
CauseAction
Paper is too thin. When printing data with high color saturation such as photographs or images in  deep color, we recommend using Photo Paper Pro or other Canon specialty 
paper. See “Using Specialty Media” on page 4.
(B)
(A) 
						

							68Troubleshooting
„Printed Surface Is Scratched/Paper Is Smudged
CauseAction
Paper Feed Roller is dirty. Cleaning the Paper Feed Roller will wear the roller, so perform this procedure 
only when necessary.
For details on cleaning, see “Cleaning the Paper Feed Roller (Roller Cleaning)” 
on page 57.
Inside of the printer is dirty. When performing duplex printing, if the specified paper size does not match the  actual size of paper loaded in the paper source, the inside will become stained 
with ink, causing printed paper to become smudged.
Perform the Bottom Plate Cleaning to clean the inside of the printer.
For details, see “Cleaning the Inside of the Printer” on page 59.
NoteTo prevent the inside of the printer from stains, set the paper size correctly.
Printing on inappropriate type of paper. zCheck to see if the paper you are printing on is not too thick or curled.
See “Media Types You Cannot Use” on page 6.
z When performing Borderless Printing, print quality may be reduced at the top 
and bottom edges of the paper. Make sure that the paper you are using is 
suitable for Borderless Printing. 
For details, refer to “Printing Area” in the  User’s Guide on-screen manual.
Printing on thick paper. Selecting the  Prevent paper abrasion setting will widen the clearance between 
the Print Head and the loaded paper. If you notice abrasion even with the media 
type set correctly to match the loaded paper, set the printer to prevent paper 
abrasion by using the printer driver.
* Deactivate the  Prevent paper abrasion  setting once printing is complete. If 
not, this setting remains enabled for all subsequent print jobs.
Open the printer properties dialog box, and in  Custom Settings in the 
Maintenance  sheet, select the  Prevent paper abrasion  check box, and then 
click  Send .
To open the printer properties dialog box (Windows), refer to “Opening the 
Printer Properties Dialog Box (Windows)” in the  User’s Guide on-screen 
manual.
In the  Canon IJ Printer Utility , select Custom Settings  in the pop-up menu, 
select the  Prevent paper abrasion  check box, and then click  Send.
To open the  Canon IJ Printer Utility  (Macintosh), refer to “Opening the Canon 
IJ Printer Utility (Macintosh)” in the  User’s Guide on-screen manual. 
						

							69
Troubleshooting
Paper is curled. For Plain Paper
Turn the paper over and reload it to print on the other side.
Leaving the paper loaded in the Rear Tray for a long time may cause the 
paper to curl. If this happens, load the paper with the other side facing up. It 
may resolve the problem.
We recommend putting unused paper back into the package and keep them 
on a level surface.
For Other Paper If you are using paper with either any of the corners or the whole printing 
surface curled, the paper may become dirty, not feed properly, or both. Use 
such paper after correcting paper curl as follows.
(1) With the printing side (A) facing up, cover the paper with a fresh sheet of 
plain paper to avoid staining or scratching the surface.
(2) Roll up the paper in a direction opposite to paper curl as seen below.
(3) Check to see that the paper curl is within approximately 0.08 to 0.2 inches / 2 
to 5 mm (B) in height.
We recommend printing curl-corrected paper one sheet at a time.
NoteDepending on the media type, the paper may be smudged or may not be fed 
properly even if it is not curled.
In such case, follow the procedure described the above in “For Other Paper” to 
curl the paper before printing.
This may improve the print result.
CauseAction
(A)
(1) (2)
(B)
(A) 
						

							70Troubleshooting
Printer Does Not Start
CauseAction
The printer is not powered on. / The 
power cord is no connected. Make sure that the power cord is securely plugged into the Power Cord 
Connector of the printer. Plug the power cord all the way in, since it may be 
difficult to plug.
Ink tank is empty. Open the Top Cover of the printer to confirm how the ink lamps light or flash,  and then take the appropriate action depending on the error condition. For 
details, see “Getting the Ink Status Information” on page 28.
Ink tank not installed in proper position. Open the Top Cover and check the ink lamps. If there is still sufficient ink but its ink lamp is flashing red, an ink tank may be 
installed in a wrong position.
Confirm that the ink tanks are installed in the appropriate positions. See 
“Replacing an Ink Tank” on page 28.
Ink tank is not installed securely. Open the Top Cover and check the ink lamps. If the ink lamp is not lit, press the   mark on the ink tank until it clicks into 
place. The ink lamp lights up red when the ink tank is fully inserted.
Unnecessary print jobs are left in 
queue. / Computer problems. Restarting your computer may solve the problem.
If there are any unnecessary print jobs, follow the procedure below to delete 
them.
(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 the  Maintenance  tab and then  View Printer Status .
The printer status monitor is displayed.
(3) Click  Display Print Queue .
(4) Select  Cancel All Documents  on the Printer menu.
You may not be able to select this depending on the privileges of the 
account.
(5) When the confirmation message is displayed, click  Ye s.
The print jobs are deleted.
(1) Click the printer icon in the Dock to display the list of print jobs in progress.
In Mac OS X v.10.2.8, click the printer icon in the Dock to start up the  Print 
Center  and double-click the name of your printer in the  Printer List.
(2) Select the print job to delete and click  .
The print jobs are deleted. 
						

							71
Troubleshooting
Printer Moves But Ink Is Not Ejected
CauseAction
Print Head nozzles are clogged. Print the nozzle check pattern to check for uneven ink output.
For details on how to print the nozzle check pattern, how to clean the Print 
Head, and how to perform Print Head Deep Cleaning, see “When Printing 
Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect” on page 34.
zIf the nozzle check pattern does not print out properly
Check if any of the missing colors are due to empty tanks.
If there is plenty of ink and the printer does not print, clean the Print Head 
and then print the nozzle check pattern to check that ink is ejecting properly.
z If the problem is not resolved after performing Print Head Cleaning 
twice
Perform Print Head Deep Cleaning.
If the problem is not resolved after performing Print Head Deep Cleaning, 
turn off the printer and perform Print Head Deep Cleaning again after 24 
hours or later.
z If the problem is still not resolved after performing Print Head Deep 
Cleaning twice
The Print Head may be damaged. Contact your Canon Service 
representative.
Ink tank is empty. Open the Top Cover of the printer to confirm how the ink lamps light or flash,  and then take the appropriate action depending on the error condition. For 
details, see “Getting the Ink Status Information” on page 28.
The protective film is remaining. Make sure all of the protective film is peeled off and the air hole is exposed, as  illustrated in (A). If the orange tape is left as in (B), pull the orange tape and 
remove it.
(A) Correct
L-shaped air hole is exposed.
(B) Incorrect
The tape is not peeled off.
(B)
(A) 
						

							72Troubleshooting
Paper Does Not Feed Properly
Paper Does Not Feed  from the Paper Source 
Specified in the Printer Driver
CauseAction
Printing on inappropriate type of paper. Check to see if the paper you are printing on is not too thick or curled.
See “Loading Printing Paper” on page 4 and make sure that the paper you are 
using is suitable.
Paper Feed Roller is dirty. Cleaning the Paper Feed Roller will wear the roller, so perform this procedure  only when necessary.
For details on cleaning, see “Cleaning the Paper Feed Roller (Roller Cleaning)” 
on page 57.
Paper not loaded properly. Make sure of the following when you load paper in the printer. zWhen loading two or more sheets of paper, align the edges of the sheets 
before loading.
z Always load the paper in portrait orientation, either in the Rear Tray or the 
Cassette, regardless of the printing orientation.
z When loading paper in the Rear Tray, load the paper with the print side facing 
UP. Align the right edge of the paper stack against the Cover Guide and slide 
the Paper Guide so that it just touches the left edge of the stack.
z When loading paper in the Cassette, load the paper with the print side facing 
DOWN. Align the right edge of the paper stack against the right edge of the 
Cassette and slide the Paper Guides against the left and bottom edges of the 
stack.
z When loading paper in the Cassette, make sure that the paper is not set over 
the protrusion of the Load Limit Mark on the Paper Guide.
For details on loading paper, see “Loading Paper” on page 11.
Too much paper loaded. Make sure that the paper stack does not exceed the load limit. However, proper  feeding of paper may not be possible at this maximum capacity depending on 
the type of paper or environmental conditions (either very high or low 
temperature and humidity).
In such cases, reduce the sheets of paper you load at a time to around half.
For details on loading paper, see “Loading Paper” on page 11.
CauseAction
The paper source is specified in the 
data created by an application 
software.When the paper source setting is inconsistent between an application program 
and the printer driver, the application software setting takes precedence.
Change the application software setting corresponding to the printer driver 
setting, or click the 
Print Options on the Page Setup  sheet in the printer driver 
and select  Disable the paper source setting of the application software  on 
the  Print Options  screen.
For the print option setting, refer to the  PC Printing Guide on-screen manual. 
						

							73
Troubleshooting
Paper Jams
CauseAction
Paper jammed in the Paper Output 
Slot, the Rear Tray, or the Cassette. Remove the paper following the procedure below.
(1)
Slowly pull the paper out, either from a paper source or from the Paper 
Output Slot, whichever is easier.
z If the paper tears and a piece remains inside the printer, open the Top Cover 
and remove it.
After removing all paper, close the Top Cover, turn the printer off, and turn it 
back on.
* Be careful not to touch the components inside the printer. 
z If you cannot pull the paper out, turn the printer off and turn it back on. The 
paper may be ejected automatically.
(2) Reload the paper in the printer, and press the  RESUME/CANCEL button on 
the printer.
If you turned off the printer in step 1, all print jobs in queue are canceled. 
Reprint if necessary.
Notez For details on how to load paper, see “Loading Printing Paper” on page 4.
z When reloading the paper in the printer, see “Paper Does Not Feed Properly” 
on page 72 to confirm that you are using the correct paper and are loading it 
into the printer correctly.
z A5-sized paper are suited to print documents consisting mainly of text. We do 
not recommend using such paper to print documents with photos or graphics, 
since the printout may curl and cause paper exit jams.
If you cannot remove the paper or the paper tears inside the printer, or if the 
paper jam error continues after removing the paper, contact your Canon Service 
representative.
Landscape credit card-sized paper 
jammed inside the printer. Do not load credit card-sized paper in the landscape orientation.
Remove the paper following the procedure below.
(1)
Load a single sheet of the same paper in the Rear Tray in portrait orientation.
Do not load it in the landscape orientation.
(2) Turn off the printer.
(3) Turn on the printer.
The paper is fed and then pushes out the jammed paper as it ejects.
If you cannot remove the jammed paper or the paper jam error continues after 
removing the paper, contact your Canon Service representative. 
						

							74Troubleshooting
Landscape 4 x 6 / 101.6 x 152.4 mm 
paper loaded in the Cassette jammed 
inside the printer. Always load 4 x 6 / 101.6 x 152.4 mm media in portrait orientation regardless 
of the printing orientation.
Remove the paper following the procedure below.
(1)
Turn off the power, and then open the Rear Cover.
(2) Fold a piece of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in four, push it in until it hits the 
jammed paper, then pull out the paper folded in four. 
(3) Close the Rear Cover, then turn on the power.
Wait until the jammed paper is automatically ejected. 
If you cannot remove the jammed paper or the paper jam error continues after 
removing the paper, contact your Canon Service representative.
CauseAction 
						

							75
Troubleshooting
Paper jammed inside the printer at the 
transport unit. Remove the paper following the procedure below.
(1)
Open the Rear Cover.
(2) If you can see the jammed paper, slowly pull the paper out.
z Be careful not to touch the components inside the printer.
z If you cannot pull the paper out, turn the printer off and turn it back on. The 
paper may be ejected automatically.
(3) Close the Rear Cover.
(4) If you were not able to remove the paper out in step 2, remove the Cassette.
(5) Slowly pull the jammed paper out.
(6) If any paper is sticking out of the Cassette, reload the paper in the Cassette.
(7) Insert the Cassette into the printer again, and press the  RESUME/CANCEL 
button on the printer.
If you turned off the printer in step 2, all print jobs in queue are canceled. 
Reprint if necessary.
NoteWhen reloading the paper into the printer, see “Paper Does Not Feed Properly” 
on page 72 to confirm that you are using the correct paper and are loading it into 
the printer correctly.
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 your Canon Service 
representative.
CauseAction 
						

							76Troubleshooting
Paper jammed inside the printer at the 
duplex transport section. Remove the paper following the procedure below.
(1)
Remove the Cassette.
If the paper is loaded in the Rear Tray, remove the paper from the Rear Tray 
and close the Paper Support.
(2) Set the printer upright with the rear side down.
(3) Slowly pull the jammed paper out while pulling the green cover toward you.
CautionSet the printer back to its original position immediately after removing the 
jammed paper.
(4)If any paper is sticking out of the Cassette, reload the paper in the Cassette.
Reload paper in the Rear Tray, if necessary.(5)Insert the Cassette into the printer.
(6) Press the  RESUME/CANCEL  button on the printer.
NoteWhen reloading the paper into the printer, see “Paper Does Not Feed Properly” 
on page 72 to confirm that you are using the correct paper and are loading it into 
the printer correctly.
If you cannot remove a sheet of paper or a teared piece of paper inside the 
printer, or if the paper jam error continues after removing the paper, contact your 
Canon Service representative.
CauseAction