Had both of my print heads replaced, board replaced, and the maintenance cartridge replaced in Dec., That error kept coming up - but the machine just told me to restart ... it made great prints each

It sounds like you have already tried a few steps to address the issue. Here are a few more things you can try:

1. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, wait a few minutes, and then plug it back in and turn it on.
2. Check to make sure the printer is not in an error state. If it is, clear the error and try printing again.
3. Try cleaning the print head manually. To do this, remove the print head and use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean it. You can also use a cleaning solution designed specifically for print heads.
4. Check the ink cartridges to make sure they are installed correctly and have enough ink. If they are low or empty, replace them.

If none of these steps work, it may be best to contact Canon support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or offer a repair service for your printer.

On the pixma printer each time you remove a cartridge. you will need to do a clean of the nozles and print head. you can find instructions in your online operators manual. You hold down the wi-fi button and watch the
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MG3500 series > Overview of the Machine > Maintenance > When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect
When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors Are Incorrect

Maintenance Procedure
Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Cleaning the Print Head
Cleaning the Print Head Deeply
Aligning the Print Head
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error light flash. 1 flash release prints all saturation levels2 flashes prints the head alignment chart. 3 cleaning 4 flashes deep clean and so on. or its a transfer problem and this case do a transfer belt clean, and a head alignment.

Most of the time its the print head, this is very costly. The print head tends to clog if you don't print often. Try to print at least a test print once or twice a week.

I had the same problem and the answer was relatively simple: the head was not seated perfectly in place.

The left printing head of my IPF 8300 went bad and called for replacement (was popping an error requiring to reboot the printer and was almost 1000 days old), so I got a new head. When the new head was in, the machine entered the that replenishing ink spiral which first filled up the maintenance cartridge and then, after spending $100 to get a new MC, kept replenishing until one of my inks ran out and stopped with en error code. At that point I ordered 7 bottles of inks that were low and entered the service mode to clear the error and see what's going on. I ran nozzle check, and surprise, for the left head I just replaced printed nothing, completely blank! I put the old head back and the machine worked just fine so I called Canon to complain they sent me a bad head for $500 and they said not to worry, I have 1 year to get it replaced for free, but the problem is not the head but me not seating it properly. Too bad I wasted all that ink and a MC. To summarize, if the replenishing process takes more than 5-7 minutes after replacing the printing head, unplug the machine (will be only way to stop it) and restart in service mode (press power while holding down Load and Navigation buttons until the small S gets on the LCD) and print a nozzle check. If comes out blank for the new head, that is where the problem resides. Reseat the head and restart the printer. If problem persists Canon will replace it for free.

Oh dear you have suffered what is probably the worst that can happen to this machine. When your original print head failed it took out the logic board with it. They should have been replaced as a pair at the same time. thats what we (canon engineers) do. Fortunately the logic board is not to expensive . The logic board part number is QM3-2738.

Good luck.

PS. I take no responsibilty if the logic board does not cure as although the print head works in another machine it may not in this one. Srri

The messages unable to print, unable to clean, unable 36, error 46 and error 32 are all print head errors.

1. Remove all the ink cartridges from the machine
2. Clean the contacts on the cartridges as well as inside the machine itself with a small amount of warm water or alcohol on a cotton swab until no ink comes off on the swab.

Note: if any of the other cartridges are low, empty, leaking or bulging replace them

3. Then turn off the machine and unplug it for 70 seconds
4. Plug it back it and wait for the insert cartridges message
5. Insert the cartridges and check to see if the problem is still there. If it is it means the print head has failed and in order to fix this the print head inside the printer needs to be replaced. The print head is the part of the printer that puts ink from the cartridges onto the page

Unfortunately this can sometimes cost more to replace then the machine itself.

Here's what my Service Manual for the WorkCentre 3210 States:

• Replace the Print Cartridge
• Cycle system power
• If problem persists, refer to the following procedure.

1. Check the Toner Remaining Count. Is the cartridge at or near end of life?
2. If yes, replace the cartridge
3. If no, Reseat the print cartridge and cycle the system power. Does the problem persist?
4. if yes, Reseat CN20 on the Main Controller Board and cycle system power.Does the error persist?
5. If yes, check for +3.3V @ CN20-4.
6. Is there 3.3V @ CN20-4?
7. If yes, replace Print Cartridge
8. If no, Replace the Main Controller Board.

If you've already replaced the cartridge and rebooted the printer and it still gives the error and your machine is still under warranty or a service contract. Contact your Xerox Service Provider and let them do all the stuff I mentioned above. That's what you're paying them the monthly maintenance agreement for!

Very likely your print head is faulty. You can get it replaced or try the economical solution below.

I had the same problem after replacing the print head. I removed the ink cartridge and then unclip the two metal two clips by the side that hold the print head. Then I used WD40 to spray through the ink holes until the clear liquid comes out from the print head.Then I replaced everything back and start the cleanning process, do a few test prints. It works ok now, no more Machine Error 41. Therefore, sometime the problem might just be clogged pin heads!

Press the maintenance button. The print head moves to the black or color ink cartridge replacement position, the power light begins to flash, and the error light begins to flash or remains on. When both cartridges are out of ink, the print head moves to the black ink cartridge replacement position first. After replacing the black cartridge, press the maintenance button again to switch to the color cartridge replacement position.

**Repeat from previous post. Would not print black. I went through all the troubleshooting of cleaning the printhead several times. The Nozzle check (found under Printing Preferences/Maintenance tab) kept coming out without the PGBK section (Black) printed on it. All the colors printed. If your see any of the colors missing, it is probably the same problem---it needs the Print Head replaced.
Part # QY6-0061-010. I was able to find it at Canyon Computer Supplies in Phoenix, but you can also order them via the internet from multiple outlets. Mine cost $59.57 with tax...much cheaper than a new printer. The replacement is very easy...Canon has info on how to do it at http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=123&modelid=12804#SupportDetailAct ...if the link doesn't get you right there, search MP830, Support & Service, then search print head & you should find it. Once you remove all the print cartriges (printer ON), the gray lever on the left side lifts up and releases the print head...which is the unit that houses all the print cartridges. I just put the new print head in, replaced all the ink cartridges, did a nozzle check...and it worked!! I love fixing things myself.