Canon printer PIXMA MX850 User Manual

							
107
Routine Maintenance
Routine Maintenance
Replacing an Ink Tank
This section explains the way to confirm the in k status and the procedure to replace ink tanks.
When ink runs out or other errors occur, an error  message is displayed on the LCD to inform you of 
the error. See “An Error Message Is Displayed  on the LCD” on page 133 and confirm how to handle 
it.
When printing from your computer, error mess ages appear on your computer screen as well.
„Getting the Ink Status Information
You can confirm the status of ink tanks in the following two ways:
z“With the LCD of this Machine” on page 107
z “With the Ink Lamps” on page 108
z With the LCD of this Machine
Make sure that the machine is turned on, then press the  COPY, FA X , SCAN , or MEMORY 
CARD  button. The current ink level will be displayed on the LCD for a few seconds.
(A) Confirm whether any sy mbols are displayed here.
An error message may be displayed on the LCD during printing.
Note
z Be sure to install the ink tanks in the correct order indicated by the label on the Print Head Holder. The 
machine will not print if an ink tank is installed in the incorrect position.
z For information on the compatible ink tanks, see the back cover of this guide.
z If printing becomes faint or white streaks appear despite sufficient ink levels, see “When Printing 
Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect” on page 114.
Ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend 
you to have a new ink tank available.
Ink may have run out. See ““The ink may have run out. Replacing the 
ink tank is recommended.”” on page 133 and take appropriate action.
Note
The ink status information is also displayed on the screen that appears during printing.
(A) 
						

							
108Routine Maintenance
zWith the Ink Lamps
You can confirm the status of each ink tank by  the ink lamps. Open the Scanning Unit (Printer 
Cover) of the machine to confirm how the ink lamps light or flash.
z Ink lamp is on  
The ink tank is correctly set and there is enough ink remaining to print.
z Ink lamp is flashing  
Flashing slowly (at around 3-second intervals) ......Repeats
Ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new ink 
tank available.
Flashing quickly (at around 1-second intervals) ......Repeats
The ink tank is inserted in the wrong position or it is empty. Ensure that the ink tank is in the 
correct position as directed by the label on the  Print Head Holder. If the position is correct and 
its lamp flashes, it is empty. Replace it with a new one.
z Ink lamp is off  
The ink tank is not set properly or the function for detecting the remaining ink level is 
disabled.
If the ink tank is not set properly, press the   ma rk on the ink tank until the tank clicks into 
place. If it does not click into place, make  sure that the orange protective cap has been 
removed from the bottom of the ink tank. See “Prepare the replacement tank.” on page 110.
If the function for detecting the remaining ink level  is disabled, replace the ink tank with a new 
one. See “Replacing Ink Tanks” on page 109.
If the lamps are still off after reinserting the ink tanks, there has been an error and the 
machine cannot print. Check the error message displayed on the LCD. See “An Error 
Message Is Displayed on the LCD” on page 133. (B) Empty ink tank.
Ink has run out. See ““The ink has run out. Replace the ink tank.”” on 
page 134 and take appropriate action.
(B) 
						

							109 Routine Maintenance
„Replacing Ink Tanks
When ink tanks run out of ink, replace them using the following steps.
1Open the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) and 
the Paper Output Tray.
(1)Make sure the machine is turned on.
(2)Lift the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) until it 
stops.
The Paper Output Tray will open automatically 
and the Print Head Holder moves to the center.
2Open the Inner Cover.
Important
Handling Ink
zTo maintain optimal printing quality, we recommend the use of specified Canon brand ink tanks.
Refilling ink is not recommended.
zOnce you remove an ink tank, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with ink tanks 
removed.
zReplace empty tanks with new ones. Inserting partially used ink tanks may cause the nozzles to 
clog. Furthermore, with such tanks, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace 
the tanks properly.
zOnce an ink tank has been installed, do not remove it from the machine and leave it out in the 
open. This will cause the ink tank to dry out, and the machine may not operate properly when it 
is reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use an ink tank within six months of first use.
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 machine’s performance. When an ink tank is out of ink, replace it 
immediately with a new one.
Caution
zIf the Document Cover is opened, you cannot 
open the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover). Be 
sure to open the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) 
with the Document Cover closed.
zDo not hold the LCD.
zDo not hold the Print Head Holder to stop or 
move it.
Important
If the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) is left open for 
more than 10 minutes, the Print Head Holder 
moves to the right side. Close and reopen the 
Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) to return the holder 
to the center.
Caution
Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts 
inside the machine.
(A)
(A) Press the Open button to open the 
Paper Output Tray if it does not open 
automatically. 
						

							
110Routine Maintenance
3Remove the ink tank whose lamp is flashing fast.
(1)Push the tab and remove the ink tank.
4Prepare the replacement tank.
(1)Remove the new ink tank from its packaging.
(2) Pull the orange tape (C) in the direction of the 
arrow to peel off the protective film.
(3) Remove the film (D) completely.
(4) Remove the orange protective cap from the 
bottom of the ink tank.
Discard the cap once it is removed.
Important
zHandle 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.
NotezDo 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 lamp flashing speed, see 
“Getting the Ink Status Information” on 
page 107.
Important
Make sure that the protective film does not remain 
on the air hole (E). If the air hole is blocked with 
the remaining film, ink may leak out or may not 
eject properly.
Important
zDo not touch the electrical contacts (G) on the ink 
tank. Doing so can cause the machine to 
malfunction or become unable to print.
z Be sure to remove the clear film from the ink tank in 
the exact order shown above, 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 Be careful not to stain your clothes and hands with 
ink on the removed protective cap.
z Do not reattach 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. 
(B)
(B) Do NOT touch the Print Head Lock 
Lever; remove only the ink tank.
(D) (C)
(E)
(F) (G)
(F) Carefully hold the protective cap 
when removing it to prevent the ink 
from staining your fingers. 
						

							111 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.
Important
Install all the ink tanks to print. The machine 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 cannot 
be fed properly.
(1)
(H)
(H) Make sure the position of the tank 
matches the label.
(2) (3) 
						

							
112Routine Maintenance
7Gently close the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover).
CautionzBe sure to hold the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) firmly using both hands, and be careful not to 
get your fingers caught.
z Do not hold the LCD.
Note
zIf 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 133.
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. Wait until 
you cannot hear the operation noise. 
						

							
113
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 all the lamps on  the Operation Panel have gone out.
This takes a few seconds or as long as around 1 minute. 
(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 all the lamps on the Operation Panel go 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.
If you have not used the machine for a long time,  print out the nozzle check pattern to check the 
print head condition before printing. See “Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 115.
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 114. 
						

							
114Routine 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 107 and take the appropriate action.
z Increase the  Print Quality  setting in the printer driver settings.
For details, refer to the  PC Printing Guide on-screen manual.
Step 1
See “Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern” on page 115.
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 117.
If the problem is not resolved after performing 
Print Head Cleaning twice
Step 3
See “Print Head Deep Cleaning” on page 118.
Note
If Print Head Deep Cleaning does not resolve the problem, turn off the machine and perform another Print 
Head Deep Cleaning after 24 hours. If the problem is still not resolved, the Print Head may be damaged. 
Contact your Canon service representative.
See “Aligning the Print Head” on page 119.
Note
You can also perform the maintenance operation from your computer. For details, refer to the  PC Printing 
Guide  on-screen manual. 
						

							
115
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,  and then load a sheet of A4 or Letter-
sized plain paper in the Rear Tray or Cassette.
2Open the Paper Output Tray, and then open the Output Tray Extension.
(1) Press the Open button to open the Paper Output Tray.
(2) Open the Output Tray Extension.
3Press the  Feed Switch  to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4Print the nozzle check pattern.
(1)Press the  Menu button.
(2) Use the  [ or  ] button to select  Maintenance/settings , then press the OK button.
The  Maintenance/settings  screen is displayed.
(3) Use the  [ or  ] button to select  Maintenance, then press the  OK button.
The  Maintenance  screen is displayed.
(4) Use the  { or  }
 button to select  Nozzle 
check , then press the  OK button.
The pattern print confirmation screen is 
displayed.
(5) Use the  { or  }
 button to select  Ye s, 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 116.
Note
Make sure that the Inner Cover is closed. 
						

							
116Routine 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.
(A) Good
(B) White streaks present
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.
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 107.
(1)
(2)
(A) (B)
(A) (B)