Aligning the Print Head

Solution:

If printed ruled lines are misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, adjust the print head position.

You need to prepare: two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper

NOTE

• If the remaining ink level is low, the print head alignment pattern will not be printed correctly. Replace the ink tank whose ink is low.

• The print head alignment pattern is printed in black and blue.

- Aligning the Print Head without a computer

• You can also align the Print Head from the printer itself using the RESUME/CANCEL button.

(1) Make sure that the power is turned on and two or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.
(2) Open the Front Tray gently, and pull out the Front Tray Extension.
(3) Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the Power lamp flashes green four times, then release it immediately.
The print head alignment pattern will be printed and the printer will adjust the print head position automatically.
Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the printing of the print head alignment pattern.

Automatic Print Head Alignment

1. Make sure that the power is turned on.

2. Make sure that two or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.

IMPORTANT

• You cannot use the Front Tray to align the Print Head automatically. Be sure to load paper in the Cassette.

3. Open the Front Tray gently, and pull out the Front Tray Extension.

4. Open the printer driver setup window.

5. Adjust the print head position.
(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.

(3) Confirm the displayed message, and click Align Print Head.

The print head alignment pattern will be printed and the printer will adjust the print head position automatically.

Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the printing of the print head alignment pattern. This takes about 6 minutes.

NOTE

• If the automatic adjustment of the print head position has failed, the Alarm lamp flashes. Refer to "Eleven flashes:"
• If the print results are still not satisfactory after adjusting the print head position as described above, [ align the Print Head manually ].
• To print and check the current head position adjustment values, click Print Alignment Value.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on.

2. Make sure that two or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.

IMPORTANT

• You cannot use the Front Tray to align the Print Head automatically. Be sure to load paper in the Cassette.

3. Open the Front Tray gently, and pull out the Front Tray Extension.

4. Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility.

5. Adjust the print head position.

(1) Select Test Print in the pop-up menu.

(2) Click Print Head Alignment.

(3) Confirm the displayed message, and click Align Print Head.

The print head alignment pattern will be printed and the printer will adjust the print head position automatically.

Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the printing of the print head alignment pattern. This takes about 6 minutes.

NOTE

• If the automatic adjustment of the print head position has failed, the Alarm lamp flashes. Refer to "Eleven flashes:"
• If the print results are still not satisfactory after adjusting the print head position as described above, [ align the Print Head manually ].
• To print and check the current head position adjustment values, click Print Alignment Value.

Manual Print Head Alignment

This section describes how to align the Print Head manually.
If the results of Automatic Print Head Alignment are not satisfactory, follow the procedure below to perform Manual Print Head Alignment to precisely align the Print Head.

NOTE

• Be sure to load paper in the Cassette. The Rear Tray or Manual Feed Slot of the Front Tray cannot be used for Manual Print Head Alignment.
• The print head alignment pattern is printed in black and blue only.

1. Make sure that the printer is turned on.

2. Load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Cassette.

3. Open the Front Tray gently, and extend the Front Tray Extension.

4. Print the pattern.
(1) Open the printer properties dialog box.
(2) Click the Maintenance tab, then Custom Settings.
(3) Select the Align heads manually check box, then click Send.
(4) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
(5) In the Maintenance sheet click Print Head Alignment.
(6) Confirm the displayed message and click Align Print Head.

IMPORTANT

• Do not open the Top Cover while printing is in progress.

NOTE

• To confirm the current setting, click Print Alignment Value and print the pattern.

(7) After the pattern is printed, click Yes.
The dialog for entering a print head alignment value is displayed.

5. Look at the first 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 vertical streaks.

NOTE

• If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.

(A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
(B) More noticeable vertical white streaks

(2) Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column K, then click OK.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
The second pattern is printed.

IMPORTANT

• Do not open the Top Cover while printing is in progress.

6. Look at the second printout and adjust the print head position.

(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column L that has the least noticeable vertical streaks.