Alignment Error My printer prints fine but it prints blurry and distorted and every time I try to align it I get an error saying that It cannot automatically align itself. I have tried cleaning the cartridges, removing them and reinserting them. Is there anything I can do to fix this problem?

Run an alignment page. This will show you if it's the same nozzle(s) every time. Sometimes an alignment error can cause a multi-color print to appear blurry.

If you have alternating broad strips of sharp and blurred printing, something such as an out-of-round roller may be causing the paper to head distance to vary.

Make sure there is no dust or lint buildup on the ends of the head slide or in the head parking area (outside the paper margins) to smear ink on the heads. If that's clean, the nozzle valves may be leaking, which means a head replacement is the fix. (Another thought: if this is one of the models with separate ink tanks, you may be able to put some rubbing alcohol in an empty tank and print a solid color page or run a cleaning cycle with that in an attempt to "deep clean" the head. No guarantees, of course; it may even make the problem worse, and is a last-resort means to avoid buying new heads.)

From Canon Help Files.

Automatic Print Head alignment failed
Possible causes are as follows:
A4 or Letter-sized paper is not loaded on the Auto Sheet Feeder.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button on the printer to clear the error, then load one sheet of A4 or Letter-sized paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
Automatic print head alignment cannot be performed using paper from the Cassette. For automatic print head alignment, always load paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.

Print Head nozzles are clogged.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button on the printer to clear the error, and then print out the nozzle check pattern to examine the print head condition.

For information on how to print a nozzle check pattern, see "Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern."

The Paper Output Slot has been exposed to a strong light source preventing correct Print Head alignment.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button to clear the error and move the printer to a darker location.
After carrying out the above measures, if the problem continues after aligning the Print Head again, press the RESUME/CANCEL button to clear the error, and then perform manual print head alignment. For details on manual print head alignment, see "Manual Print Head Alignment."

Hi,
During cartridge alignment, the error message 'Print cartridge alignment failed' displays on the printer control panel....
More Info visit this links...
Print cartridge alignment failed Error Message Displays on the All in...
Alignment Page Does Not Print

Thanks,
HP Printer Support

I would try to do a printhead cleaning cycle first. Then print an alignment page.
This will result in a good clear alignment page.

Possible causes of the error you got can be that one of the ink cartridges is low or out of ink or the paper has already been printed on or is colored paper or the ink cartridge is defective.You need to
examine the paper the alignment page was printed on. Does the alignment page print correctly?You need to perform an print cartridge cleaning procedure and Try to align the page again.

Hi there

Service error code 5200 is the print head error. Rub the print head into a plain paper with rubbing alcohol until ink flows and then after that remove all the USB cable connection and power cord and plug it again. Then run the print head cleaning maintenance like print nozzle or print alignment.

It should be fine right now. Please let me know if you need more help

If you do a test print and any color is missing it won't pass alignment and keep giving the error. If you're happy with the printing, when it says press enter to align, press and hold the enter button and press the menu button. The error will go away and let you print.

You should have the option to print an allignment page, try that.

Hope this helps!

Hey,
Your problem could be because of bad alignment. That means paper alignment and printer alignment don't match. There will be instructions in,your manual to properply align your printer. 
Hope this helps. 
Thanks

There is no doubt in my mind it Will be the cartridges you are using, alignment will continue to be requested if print out is missing bits do yourself a favour and use HP gen., not trying to plug HP just telling you the facts