Bizhub284 prints but there is no ink on paper

What ink do you use? The right sticker paper will depend on the type of ink you're using. But if you want to spare yourself from all these troubles, I suggest just ask any online printing company to print stickers for you. Believe it or not, it's way cheaper and more practical.

Number following "E"

Cause

How to correct

2

No paper. /
Paper does not feed.

If paper is not installed, load it and then press the <Black> or <Color> button. When paper is installed, check each of the following items and try printing again.

1. Confirm only recommended paper is installed.
2. Confirm paper is installed properly.
3. Confirm the maximum number of sheets in the auto sheet feeder is within the paper limit mark.
4. Clean the paper feed roller to resolve the error.

3

Paper jam

Remove the jammed paper.
If paper jams frequently occur, check the following:

1. Confirm there is no foreign material inside the machine.
2. Confirm only recommended paper is installed.
3. Confirm paper is installed properly.
4. Confirm the maximum number of sheets in the auto sheet feeder is within the paper limit mark.

4

Empty ink tank

An ink cartridge is empty.
To cancel printing, press the <Stop/Reset> button.
To continue printing, press <Black> or <Color> button.
After printing completes, replace the empty ink cartridge.
Printing with an empty ink cartridge may cause the machine to malfunction.

5

The ink cartridge(s) is not installed. / The ink cartridge(s) cannot be recognized.

The ink cartridge may not be installed properly, or an unsupported ink cartridge may be installed.
Install a recommended ink cartridge.

Make sure to install both ink cartridges even when you set the machine to use only one ink cartridge in printing.
If one of the ink cartridges is missing, this error can occur.

7

The ink cartridge is not installed in the appropriate position.

The ink cartridge is not installed in the proper position.
Install each ink cartridge in the proper position.

8

The waste ink absorber is almost full.

The waste ink absorber is getting full.
Press the <Black> or <Color> button to clear the error and continue printing.
Printing can continue until the waste ink absorber becomes full. If the waste ink absorber becomes full, the machine will require service.

The waste ink absorber is a part inside the machine, which absorbs ink used in the cleaning operations.

9

A specified period of time has elapsed without receiving a response from the digital camera. / A print mode compliant with PictBridge is not selected. / A specified period of time has elapsed without receiving a response from the digital camera.

The machine cannot communicate with the connected camera.
Disconnect the cable between the machine and the camera to clear the error.
Check the following items, then try printing again.

1. Confirm that the camera you are using supports PictBridge or Canon Bubble Jet Direct.
If the camera does not support either one, the machine cannot print directly from the camera.
2. Set the camera in PictBridge print mode before it is connected to the machine. This is required before printing for some cameras that support PictBridge.
Please refer to the camera instructions for more information about procedures required before and after connection to the machine.
3. There may have been no response from the camera for the prescribed time.
Re-connect the cable between the camera and the machine.

1 , 4
1 , 5

The ink cartridge cannot be recognized.

An unsupported ink cartridge may be installed.
Install only recommended ink cartridges.

1, 6

The ink level cannot be correctly detected.

A used ink cartridge may be installed, or the ink cartridge is empty.
Replace the ink cartridge.

Press the <Black> or <Color> button, to clear the error and continue printing without replacing the ink cartridge. However, the remaining ink amount cannot be detected properly, so the function to detect the remaining ink amount does not operate.

1 , 9

Scanning failed.

Scanning a document failed.
Check if the document is placed in the correct orientation / position and try the operation again.

2 , x
3 , x
4 , x

(Where x represents a number)

-

Turn the machine off, and remove the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Wait approximately ten minutes then plug in the power cord and turn the machine on.
If the problem is not resolved, the machine may require service.

try to replace the defective cartridge by a new one and see printing test result

Try using the photo paper option instead of the plain paper option.

I was using plain paper but, selecting the plain paper option...I could barely read the print. The photo paper option worked great!

Hope it helps!

This section explains the way to confirm the ink 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".
When printing from your computer, error messages appear on your computer screen as well.

NOTE

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.

• With the LCD of this Machine
• With the Ink Lamps
• Getting the Clear Ink Status Information

With the LCD of this MachineMake sure that the machine is turned on, then press the COPY, FAX, SCAN, or MEMORY CARD button. The current ink level will be displayed on the LCD for a few seconds.

(A) Confirm whether any symbols are displayed here.

Color or black ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new ink tank available.Color or black ink may have run out. See"An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD".
REFERENCE

The ink status information is also displayed on the screen that appears during printing.
An error message may be displayed on the LCD during printing.

Machine detected ink out condition. See "An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD" and take appropriate action.
(B) Empty ink tank.With the Ink LampsYou 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.

• Ink lamp is on

The ink tank is correctly set and there is enough ink remaining to print.

• Ink lamp is flashing

Flashing slowly (at around 3-second intervals)


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)


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.

• 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 mark 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.
If the function for detecting the remaining ink level is disabled, replace the ink tank with anew one. See "Replacing Ink Tanks".
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".
Getting the Clear Ink Status InformationClear ink is used only when printing on plain paper.
When Plain paper (Cassette) is selected for Media type and printing begins when clear ink (PGI-9Clear) is low, a message will be displayed in the LCD.

(A) Confirm whether a symbol is displayed here.

The clear ink is low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have a new ink tank available.The clear ink tank is empty. See ""The clear ink tank is empty. Replacing the ink tank is recommended." U045" and take appropriate action.
NOTE

• The ink status information is also displayed on the screen that appears during printing.
• Clear ink is used only when printing on plain paper. Therefore, it is possible to print on photo paper, or any type of paper other than plain paper, loaded in the Rear Tray, even if clear ink has run out.

The following error message will be displayed on the LCD when the clear ink has run out during printing on plain paper.

Refer to "Replacing Ink Tanks"If you continue printing under the clear ink out condition, see ""The clear Ink has run out. Replace the ink tank." U165/U166" and take appropriate action.When the clear ink hasrun out, printing on plain paper from the Cassette is not possible. The fax, which is received under the clear ink out condition, will be stored in memory.
NOTE

It is possible to print on photo paper, or any media type other than plain paper, loaded in the Rear Tray, even if clear ink has run out.

The printed output is fuzzy, blurry, or grainy, or the edges of objects in the images are jagged. Solution Follow these steps until the issue is resolved. Step one: Check your paper

• Many papers have printing and non-printing sides. Load the paper with the printing side down.
• Use the correct paper type for the project. For everyday documents, plain paper works well. For documents with dense printing, such as high-contrast graphics or photographs, use HP Advanced paper for the best results.
• If these steps do not help, try a different paper. Ink might not bleed as easily on heavier paper. Paper that does not accept ink well is also prone to bleeding and smearing. HP designs its inks and papers to work together.

Step two: Check the settings

1. In the program being used for printing, click File , and then click Print . The Print window opens.
2. Make sure the appropriate product is selected, and then click Preferences or Properties . The Preferences/Properties window opens.
3. Click the Printing Shortcuts tab. Consider modifying some or all of the options in the Printing Shortcuts menu to increase print quality.
   • Print quality : If the quality of the printouts is not acceptable, try increasing the print quality. To print more quickly, try decreasing the print quality.
   • Paper type : If one of the options matches the paper type exactly, select it instead of Automatic .
   • Paper size : Make sure that this option matches the paper loaded in the product.
   To see additional options, click the Advanced tab, and then click Advanced Features . The Advanced Features window opens. Consider changing the following option: Ink volume : Adjust the amount of ink that prints on a page. For lighter images (less ink), drag the slider to the left. For darker images (more ink), drag the slider to the right. The lighter the ink volume, the more quickly the printout dries.

Step three: Check image resolution Make sure that the image file has enough resolution for the size of the printed picture. Although many photo applications can enlarge an image or part of an image to any size, eventually the individual pixels become visible and the whole image looks blurry. Here are some general guidelines for image file resolutions:

• 94 pixels per cm (240 pixels per inch) for images to print on smaller format photo paper, such as 10 x 15 cm (4 x 6 inch)
• 117 pixels per cm (300 pixels per inch) or higher for larger format photo papers
• Lower resolutions might produce acceptable images when printed on rough-textured paper

Step four: Align the cartridges If the previous steps have not improved the appearance of the printout, align the cartridges. See the user guide for alignment instructions.

Your print head is clogged or damaged. Press the print head into a paper towel. You should get a nice block of black or three stripes of color. If not, try placing print head on paper towels soaked with warm water to get the ink flowing (ink may soak through paper towels, so beware of where you do this). Then try pressing the print head onto dry paper towels as before. If you can't get the ink flowing, you need a new cartridge because the print head is clogged with dried up ink.

Here are all the flashing explanations:

Two flashes: Out of paper or paper feed error

Reload the paper correctly and press the RESUME/CANCEL button.

Three flashes: Paper jam

If paper has jammed in the printer, clear the jam, reload the paper in the printer correctly and press the RESUME/CANCEL button.

See Paper Jams

Four flashes: Empty ink tank

If you press the RESUME/CANCEL button, it will continue printing with an empty ink tank. After printing is finished, replace the ink tank immediately. If you continue printing with an empty ink tank, it may cause damage to your printer.

Refer to your Quick Start Guide for instructions on how to replace an ink tank.

Five flashes: No print head installed/Defective print head

Install the print head. Also, ensure that the protective tape has been removed.

If reinstalling the print head does not solve the problem, replace it with a new one. Contact the Customer Care Center.

Eight flashes: Waste ink tank almost full

The printer has a built-in waste ink tank for the ink used during print head cleaning. Eight flashes indicates that the waste ink tank is nearly full. Press the RESUME/CANCEL button to cancel the error so you can continue printing. Before the waste ink tank becomes completely full, contact the Customer Care Center.

That would require a very special "white ink" print cartridge for your printer. The regular color ink cartridges won't do this, since they can only make the black paper "black-er" when it prints ink on the paper. You may want to ask the manufacturer (Canon) if they make a special "white ink" cartridge for that printer, or know of someone who does. Your only other option is to make a "negative" print image in Photoshop, or a similar graphics software application, and then PRINT the black ink on white paper... which will then leave everything you want to "print white" as an unprinted area on the white surface of regular paper. (Note: with such heavy printing you would want probably want to use a heavier grade of paper, such as 28# or 60#.) This will use a LOT of ink, but it may be the only way you can accomplish your goal. Hope this helps...

Unless the problem coincides with a change in ink cartridge, my guess is an incompatibility between the ink and the paper. Could you have changed the paper you're printing on. If so, is the new paper of a different quality? If you're using coated (eg photo) paper, are you printing on the right side? Check the "paper quality" setting on the printer (or the software you're using to drive it) - it needs to match the specification of the stuff you're printing onto. Photo quality papers are capable of absorbing much more ink than plain paper (which is how you get the colour intensity). If the printer thinks it's using photo paper, it will throw out enough ink to get that colour build - leaving a sticky mess if what is really loaded is just plain paper. A.