I have a 3month old MFC and have been using ink refill kits (which has voided my warranty!). Had poor print quality with the black, have done the cleaning process time and time again and it just won't print black. I have also injected 2mls of ink into line to clear any air (twice) and still no go - can anyone help with a solution please!
Thank you!! Will definately try this second solution - what do I use to clean print head & how to clean? Had thought about your first suggestion, but decided that at $110 for guenuine carts that may or maynot get you thru the warranty process, is it worth the hassle, esp when I can buy another Brother for $149 brand new and full of ink? Really having second thoughts about replacing with another Brother twice now in 2 years because of print head problems!Thank you!! Will definately try this second solution - what do I use to clean print head & how to clean? Had thought about your first suggestion, but decided that at $110 for guenuine carts that may or maynot get you thru the warranty process, is it worth the hassle, esp when I can buy another Brother for $149 brand new and full of ink? Really having second thoughts about replacing with another Brother twice now in 2 years because of print head problems!
I am determined to do this myself - cannot do any more damage!. But... I am stuck, I have got this far, but don't know how to get access to the print head. I have taken the top off, undone 4 screws (can't see anymore), have unplugged a belt thingy, what is next? Can someone help me with some instructions from this point. Many thanks.I am determined to do this myself - cannot do any more damage!. But... I am stuck, I have got this far, but don't know how to get access to the print head. I have taken the top off, undone 4 screws (can't see anymore), have unplugged a belt thingy, what is next? Can someone help me with some instructions from this point. Many thanks.
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Hi denzirelli,
Apparently several reviews of this printer say it is known for poor print quality when dealing with graphics AND the tubes can become blocked.
As far as troubleshooting goes if you haven?t done so already purchase a new set of official Brother ink jet cartridges, black and color. The newer ink jets are a lot smarter and remember the last couple of cartridge serial numbers. If that doesn?t work then try running the nozzle cleaning utility a couple of times.
If that fails call the Brother and let them walk you through the troubleshooting process. I don?t suggest you lie, just don't volunteer the fact that you were evil and tried to deprive them of their profit. Worst case they won?t do a warrantee replacement, best case is you?ll have a working printer.
If you don?t want to pursue the above option or if tech support won?t help then we?re back to troubleshooting again, when you say it doesn?t print black does that mean colors do print? If that?s the case then I suspect the black tube or the nozzles are blocked. From what I?ve read it?s a little bit of a pain to remove the print head but the key is not to disconnect the tubes. Remove the print head and the cartridge container as a unit. The ribbon cables have to be unplugged from the circuit board. Disconnect the belt and you should be able to take the print head out and clean it.
Let us know how it turns out and don?t forget to rate the posting.
Wow, $110 for a set of ink cartridges. I guess I?m spoiled since I refill as well.
I use straight Windex (the real stuff is better than the store brands) to clean and if the clogs are stubborn I put the print head in a small plastic bin and fill with Windex till the nozzles are covered. I use sealable plastic food containers so I can save and reuse the Windex since my Nozzles seem to clog up about every other month.
I would try letting the print head assembly and hoses soak in Windex overnight. Since you are only experiencing problem with the black I would try to block the tubes to the colors. A very soft brush or lint-free cloth or Q-tip will probably beg good to clean the surface of the nozzles. The tubes are another story, you might try to find a thin, flexible piece of wire or plastic rod to ream them out, however, be careful not to damage or break the material off inside.
After the soak/wash shake off as much of the Windex as possible but don?t let it dry out. While the ink is still hopefully dissolved in the Windex reassemble the print head, reconnect the cartridges and do a couple of nozzle cleaning cycles.
Let us know how it goes.Wow, $110 for a set of ink cartridges. I guess I?m spoiled since I refill as well.
I use straight Windex (the real stuff is better than the store brands) to clean and if the clogs are stubborn I put the print head in a small plastic bin and fill with Windex till the nozzles are covered. I use sealable plastic food containers so I can save and reuse the Windex since my Nozzles seem to clog up about every other month.
I would try letting the print head assembly and hoses soak in Windex overnight. Since you are only experiencing problem with the black I would try to block the tubes to the colors. A very soft brush or lint-free cloth or Q-tip will probably beg good to clean the surface of the nozzles. The tubes are another story, you might try to find a thin, flexible piece of wire or plastic rod to ream them out, however, be careful not to damage or break the material off inside.
After the soak/wash shake off as much of the Windex as possible but don?t let it dry out. While the ink is still hopefully dissolved in the Windex reassemble the print head, reconnect the cartridges and do a couple of nozzle cleaning cycles.
Let us know how it goes.
Sorry, Windex is the brand name of a window cleaner. I use it because its the best for cutting through and dissolving inks, possibly because it contains ammonia. I also buy it in concentrated form and use it straight for added strength.
I'll see if I can find anything on its disassembly tonight?.Sorry, Windex is the brand name of a window cleaner. I use it because its the best for cutting through and dissolving inks, possibly because it contains ammonia. I also buy it in concentrated form and use it straight for added strength.
I'll see if I can find anything on its disassembly tonight?.
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Apart from voiding any warranty that may be left on the printer, you can end up replacing print heads and getting very poor quality images from your printer.
Found this on the web. Click on link below to print the entire manual out to keep. Below are steps to do cleaning. If you find this helpful pls rate me. Thanks and Good Luck. http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_MFC_210C_420CN_EN_286.PDF How to improve print quality Cleaning the print head To ensure good print quality, the MFC will regularly clean the print head. You can start the cleaning process manually if needed.Clean the print head and ink cartridges if you get a horizontal line inthe text or graphics on your printed pages. You can clean Black onlyor three colors at a time (Cyan/Yellow/Magenta), or all four colors at once. Cleaning the print head consumes ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily. Caution Do NOT touch the print head. Touching the print head may cause permanent damage and may void the print head’s warranty. 1 Press Ink. 2 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Cleaning. Press Menu/Set. 3 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Black, Color or All. Press Menu/Set. The MFC will clean the print head. When cleaning is finished,the MFC will go back to standby mode automatically.If you clean the print head at least five times and the print hasnot improved, call Brother Customer Service (see Brother numbers on page i). Checking the print quality If faded or streaked colors and text appears on your output, some of the nozzles may be clogged. You can check this by printing the Print Quality Check Sheet and looking at the nozzle check pattern. 1 Press Ink. 2 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Test Print. Press Menu/Set. 3 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Print Quality. Press Menu/Set. 4 Press Color Start. The MFC begins printing the Print Quality Check Sheet. 5 Check the sheet to see if the quality is OK by following these steps: Color block quality check The LCD shows: 6 Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet. 7 If all lines are clear and visible, press 1 (Yes), and go to Step 10. —OR— If you can see missing short lines as shown below, press 2 (No). The LCD will ask you if the print quality is OK for black and three colors. OK Poor Is Quality OK? 1.Yes 2.No Black OK? 1.Yes 2.N 8 Press 2 (No) for Black or three colors with a problem. The LCD shows: Press 1 (Yes). The MFC will start cleaning the print head. 9 After cleaning is finished, press Color Start. The MFC will start printing the Print Quality Check Sheet again and then return to step 5. 10 Press Stop/Exit.
Found this on the web. Click on link below to print the entire manual out to keep. Below are steps to do cleaning. If you find this helpful pls rate me. Thanks and Good Luck. http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_MFC_210C_420CN_EN_286.PDF How to improve print quality Cleaning the print head To ensure good print quality, the MFC will regularly clean the print head. You can start the cleaning process manually if needed.Clean the print head and ink cartridges if you get a horizontal line inthe text or graphics on your printed pages. You can clean Black onlyor three colors at a time (Cyan/Yellow/Magenta), or all four colors at once. Cleaning the print head consumes ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily. Caution Do NOT touch the print head. Touching the print head may cause permanent damage and may void the print head’s warranty. 1 Press Ink. 2 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Cleaning. Press Menu/Set. 3 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Black, Color or All. Press Menu/Set. The MFC will clean the print head. When cleaning is finished,the MFC will go back to standby mode automatically.If you clean the print head at least five times and the print hasnot improved, call Brother Customer Service (see Brother numbers on page i). Checking the print quality If faded or streaked colors and text appears on your output, some of the nozzles may be clogged. You can check this by printing the Print Quality Check Sheet and looking at the nozzle check pattern. 1 Press Ink. 2 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Test Print. Press Menu/Set. 3 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Print Quality. Press Menu/Set. 4 Press Color Start. The MFC begins printing the Print Quality Check Sheet. 5 Check the sheet to see if the quality is OK by following these steps: Color block quality check The LCD shows: 6 Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet. 7 If all lines are clear and visible, press 1 (Yes), and go to Step 10. —OR— If you can see missing short lines as shown below, press 2 (No). The LCD will ask you if the print quality is OK for black and three colors. OK Poor Is Quality OK? 1.Yes 2.No Black OK? 1.Yes 2.N 8 Press 2 (No) for Black or three colors with a problem. The LCD shows: Press 1 (Yes). The MFC will start cleaning the print head. 9 After cleaning is finished, press Color Start. The MFC will start printing the Print Quality Check Sheet again and then return to step 5. 10 Press Stop/Exit.
There is more, but too long to put here.
You said you just replaced the ink jets. Did you clean the print heads? Here is Link on Web. If you find this helpful pls rate me. Thanks http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_MFC_210C_420CN_EN_286.PDF How to improve print quality Cleaning the print head To ensure good print quality, the MFC will regularly clean the print head. You can start the cleaning process manually if needed. Clean the print head and ink cartridges if you get a horizontal line in the text or graphics on your printed pages. You can clean Black only or three colors at a time (Cyan/Yellow/Magenta), or all four colors at once. Cleaning the print head consumes ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily. Caution Do NOT touch the print head. Touching the print head may cause permanent damage and may void the print head’s warranty. 1 Press Ink. 2 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Cleaning. Press Menu/Set. 3 Press ▲ or ▼ to select Black, Color or All. Press Menu/Set. The MFC will clean the print head. When cleaning is finished, the MFC will go back to standby mode automatically. If you clean the print head at least five times and the print has not improved, call Brother Customer Service (see Brother numbers on page i).
Try cleaning the black printer heads several times in a row, at least 5 times then print a black document with best quality setting.
Press the ink button, then down to select select cleaning and then press menu/set and menu/set again to select black.
Are you using a factory new ink cartridge?
If you are using a refilled or third party cartridge that may well be your problem.Most manufacturers build logic into their products to prevent the use of “Other Equipment Manufactured” cartridges as well as re-filled cartridges.
They do this to prevent problems from contaminated inks causing problems with print quality or damaging the physical printhead.
If you are using factory new cartridges, then please call the manufacturers Technical Support for assistance with the warranty on the cartridges
Don
the messages you get for cartridges other than the original are not trustful. You will get the right reading for original(from Brother) cartridges. Some ink is poor for printing photo quality.
not any refillable ink is right for printing photos, sometimes too dark, sometimes you don't get the right mix of colors.
Thank you!! Will definately try this second solution - what do I use to clean print head & how to clean? Had thought about your first suggestion, but decided that at $110 for guenuine carts that may or maynot get you thru the warranty process, is it worth the hassle, esp when I can buy another Brother for $149 brand new and full of ink? Really having second thoughts about replacing with another Brother twice now in 2 years because of print head problems!
Hi tom23, 'windex' is this a brand name for window cleaner? (We are in NZ.)
I am determined to do this myself - cannot do any more damage!. But... I am stuck, I have got this far, but don't know how to get access to the print head. I have taken the top off, undone 4 screws (can't see anymore), have unplugged a belt thingy, what is next? Can someone help me with some instructions from this point. Many thanks.
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