I have been using the Canon Pixma MP600 for some time. Recently it has started printing strong purple colour in certain areas of photos - looks like it may be where light was shining. The problem is that the same photos were being printed perfectly before so I don't know what has happened. I can adjust the colour of the photo but that is not solving the problem. I did recently install a new black ink cartridge. Can anyone help - please??
I've discovered since that it is not printing anything in black ink so this is obviously what is wrong. The PGBK cartridge seems to be the problem according to the info I get after cleaning the print head. I am going to get a new one today but the cartridge is full and I installed it about six weeks ago. Hopefully this will solve the problem. The cartridge that is in at the moment looks OK but nothing seems to work even after deep cleaning. Here's hoping!I've discovered since that it is not printing anything in black ink so this is obviously what is wrong. The PGBK cartridge seems to be the problem according to the info I get after cleaning the print head. I am going to get a new one today but the cartridge is full and I installed it about six weeks ago. Hopefully this will solve the problem. The cartridge that is in at the moment looks OK but nothing seems to work even after deep cleaning. Here's hoping!
I have replaced the cartridge but this has not solved the problem. When I do a deep clean and print a copy of the outcome I do not have anything on the sheet for the PGBK cartridge. Normally it should be slighted dotted if the cartridge was blocked but there is nothing there at all. Has anyone got any other suggestions?I have replaced the cartridge but this has not solved the problem. When I do a deep clean and print a copy of the outcome I do not have anything on the sheet for the PGBK cartridge. Normally it should be slighted dotted if the cartridge was blocked but there is nothing there at all. Has anyone got any other suggestions?
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Re:
Hey Kirsty,
It could be that the one of the carts is installed badly. You will no doubt have taken both carts out, and checked they are seated properly. It also worth checking to see that any tape that covers vents (more important when using compatible carts) has been removed to allow air in and ink out.
If you have absolutely no ink on the test sheet, it could be that whilst the cart was out ink has dried in the nozzles. Follow the link below to one of my previous posts about under-head cleaning. This post was geared more towards an Epson machine, but the principles remain exactly the same for other brands.
Link to post: http://www.fixya.com/support/t138226-printer_not_printing
This should help you on your way. If you need further help, just let us know.
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First clean and align the printer correctly. You will need to ensure that you have selected Photo Glossy Paper for best results. You will also need to adjust the gamma settings and also play with the colour saturation controls to achieve a good colour balance that you are happy with. Try printing a basic colour additive chart and comparing screen against printout and adjusting settings as required. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AdditiveColor.svg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/6/67/20071203133356%21CIE1931simple.png Also have a look at myPANTONE colour splash to get the definitive Pantone Colour Mixes at http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?ca=24 or use a paint tool or PhotoShop etc to create solid colour blocks of basic colour to compare against.
Did you recently buy the cartridge? What is the expiration date on the box? It may be old or not working well, just as you have guessed, and the printer is using the color cartridge to create black when the black does not function. If you have the option return the cartridge.
My Canon printer has TWO slots for black ink cartridges. I assumed one was extra and didn't replace it when I ran out. Text printed just fine with only one installed, but my photos were printing with purple instead of black. I looked into it, and the two cartridges are different: one holds dye-based ink, the other has pigment based. Photos must require both kinds. If your printer is the same as mine, use both!
I have had the mp600 for 3 years - worked fine on a couple of different pcs. I switched to a mac and encountered 2 issues - scanner stopped working and above problem of no black ink. The newest driver (just google mp600 driver) fixed the scanner issue. The ink issue has a work around - select non plain paper in the media quality tab, instead use any photo paper setting. Finding this area in a mac can be tricky - in the mini print options window you have to click the small chubby arrow and you will then be given a list of options including quality and media. Presto, black ink returns but probably uses more ink and takes longer to print. I have not found a more elegant solution as you have to select this non default paper option every time.
On some printers, probably including yours, the black ink will be taken from the reserves in your colour cartridge unless you specifically tell it to do a black and white print on each document, regardless of whether it's printing black exclusively. I wouldn't worry, the black ink in it's own cartridge can also be used for colour photos etc with no detrimental effects.
I've discovered since that it is not printing anything in black ink so this is obviously what is wrong. The PGBK cartridge seems to be the problem according to the info I get after cleaning the print head. I am going to get a new one today but the cartridge is full and I installed it about six weeks ago. Hopefully this will solve the problem. The cartridge that is in at the moment looks OK but nothing seems to work even after deep cleaning. Here's hoping!
I have replaced the cartridge but this has not solved the problem. When I do a deep clean and print a copy of the outcome I do not have anything on the sheet for the PGBK cartridge. Normally it should be slighted dotted if the cartridge was blocked but there is nothing there at all. Has anyone got any other suggestions?
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