Pixma MP780 Printer, not printing

I had a Epson printer that would not print or even allow me to use the scanner because the colored ink was out. Even though I had full black ink, it still would not let me print until i replaced the colored ink.

INK PROBLEM
Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent inkdrying out and blocking the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages,then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer thanreplace the print head.

Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent inkdrying out in the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages,then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer thanreplace the print head.

in printer Brother DCP165C the error message unable 49 is displayed. what can i do

o.k. I can give you a few tips that may be of assistance.

you need to run a printer alignment page like you do when you put in new cartridges.

unplug your printer plug it back in.
open door and take out print ink cartridges.
put them back in and then close the door.

It should now prompt you to do a test alignment page.

Also, Another thing to try is to hit file, top left of page, hit print, click properties. color tab.

make sure you are printing high quality on chose different color management options.

FINALLY TRY THIS:

When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors are Incorrect
When printing becomes faint or colors are incorrect, even if ink remains in
the ink tanks, the print head nozzles are probably clogged. Follow the
procedures below to maintain the print head.
Important Before maintaining the print head, check the following;
􀁺 Open the front cover and make sure that the ink tank
contains ink. If it is out of ink, replace it.
􀁺 Ensure that all the orange tape of the ink tank has been
peeled off.
􀁺 Press "PUSH" on the ink tank and ensure that the ink tank
is installed securely.
􀁺 Increase the Print Quality setting in the printer driver
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern
Print the nozzle check pattern to determine whether the ink ejects properly from the print
head nozzles, and to verify print head alignment. Use this function when printed results are
blurred or the color is incorrect.
1 With the printer on, load a sheet of Letter-sized paper in the printer.
2 Open the Printer Properties dialog box.
See "Opening the Printer Properties Dialog Box Directly from the Start Menu" on
page 25.
3 Print the Nozzle Check Pattern.
(3) When the confirmation message is displayed, click OK.
When the confirmation message is displayed after the nozzle check pattern has
been printed, click OK.
See "Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern" on page 52.
Note Nozzle check pattern printing can be executed also from the printer
itself. With the printer on, load a sheet of Letter-sized paper in the
printer. Hold the RESUME/CANCEL button until the POWER lamp flashes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Print Head Cleaning
Clean the print head if you suspect that the nozzles might be clogged. Cleaning the print
head consumes ink, so perform print head cleaning only when necessary.
The print head can be cleaned also from the printer itself. With the printer on, load a sheet
of Letter-sized paper in the printer. Hold the RESUME/CANCEL button until the POWER lamp
flashes once.
1 Ensure that the printer is on.
2 Open the Printer Properties dialog box.
See "Opening the Printer Properties Dialog Box Directly from the Start Menu" on
page 25.
3 Start Print Head Cleaning.
(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Cleaning.
(3) Select the print head to be
cleaned.
(4) Click Execute.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Print Head Deep Cleaning
If print quality does not improve by standard print head cleaning, try performing print head
deep cleaning, which is a more powerful process. Print head deep cleaning consumes ink,
so perform this procedure only when necessary.
1 Ensure that the printer is on.
2 Open the Printer Properties dialog box.
See "Opening the Printer Properties Dialog Box Directly from the Start Menu" on
page 25.
3 Start Print Head Deep Cleaning.
(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Deep Cleaning.
(3) Select the print head to be
deeply cleaned.
(4) Click Execute
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aligning the Print Head
This operation must be carried out when using the printer for the first time. Aligning the
print head positions allows you to print without shifts in the color registration.
Print head alignment is performed either automatically or manually. This section deals with
automatic print head alignment only.
1 With the printer on, load a sheet of Letter-sized paper in the printer.
2 Open the Printer Properties dialog box.
See "Opening the Printer Properties Dialog Box Directly from the Start Menu" on
page 25.
3 Print the pattern.
(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.
(3) Check that paper is loaded in the
printer and click OK. If a message
warning you not to perform other
operations appears, click OK.
It takes about one minute to start
___________________________________________________

this covers everything you should solve the problem with my advice.

please give me a good rating for my time and effort! Thank You

Basically your waste ink container is full. You can reset it but risk the chance of overflowing the waste ink, which would be very messy on your desk, if you don't actually clean it out. As far as that goes, you have to dis assemble the machine and manually clean out the ink as far as I know, good luck.

Here are some generic reset instruction I found for similar models.

- pull out the AC plug
- put back the AC plug while holding down the “menu” button and keep holding it (15 sec)
- now you are entering the MAINTENANCE mode and “error 46” pops up in the display
- select 8 by using the arrow buttons ,push OK and select 0 and push OK
- 00:00 00:01 OK (the display is showing this message)
- now push the MONO button 25 times until you see PURGE: xxxxx
- Select 2, push ok, select 7,push ok,select 8,push ok, select 3,push ok
- the purge counter indicates now: purge: 00000
- switch off the printer ,switch it on
- ready to print
- CHEERS!

The only remark is that your waste ink box is too full with ink. Ink flooding might be happening……

and this

· Machine off
· Switch on the machine while holding down the “menu”button until all the leds are flashing on/off. Now you are in “maintenance” mode.
· Press 80
· Press the “mono start” button several times until you see “purge: xxxx”
· Press “2783” in order to reset the purge counter. You will see: “purge:0000”
· Press the "stop" button.
· Press “99” to exit the maintenance mode.

Hi there,
When printing becomes faint or colors are incorrect, even if ink remains in the ink tanks, the print head nozzles are probably clogged. Follow the procedures below to clean the nozzles.

Step 1 : Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern.
If white stripes are noticeable
Step 2 : "Aligning the Print Head"
If print quality is poor
Step 2 : "Print Head Cleaning"
if the problem remains
Step 3 : Print Head Deep Cleaning"
if the problem still remains
Step 4 : Replacing Ink Tanks.

Note : * If the ink tank replacement does not resolve the problem, contact the Customer Care Center.
* You will be alerted if low ink warning is enabled.
* When the Maintenace button on the operation panel is pressed, the maintenance mode is shown. Numbers and functions that can be selected on the maintenance mode as follows :
01 : Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern
02 : Print Head Cleaning
03 : Print Head Deep Cleaning
04 : Aligning the Print Head
05 : Reset the ink counter.
06 : "Display" or "Not Display" remaining ink volume.
07 : Date and order setting.

Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern : Print the nozzle check patterb to determine whether the ink ejects properly from the print head nozzles and to verify print head alignment. Use this function when printed results are blurred or the color is incorrect,
1) With the printer on, load a sheet of Letter paper in the printer.
2) Print the Nozzle Check Pattern.
a) Press the Maintenance button,
b) The Maintenance icon and 01 appear on the LCD.
c) Press the OK button. The nozzle check pattern is printed.
3) Examine the nozzle check pattern output by the printer.
a) Lines missing in this pattern indicate that the print head of black ink requires cleaning. Perform the Print Head Cleaning.
b) White stripes in this pattern indicate that the print head of color ink requires cleaning. Perform the Print Head Cleaning.
c) Uneven patterns indicate that the print head requires alignment.
Perform Aligning of Print Head.
d) Noticeable white stripes in this pattern indicate that the print head require alignment.
Perform Aligning of Print Head.

Print Head Cleaning : Clean the print head if you suspect that the nozles might be clogged. Cleaning the print head consumes ink, so perform print head cleaning only when necessary.
1) Ensure that the printer is on.
2) Start print head cleaning.
a) Press Maintenance button.
b) Press right arrow once to display 02 on the LCD.
c) Press the OK button.
Important : Do not perform any other operations until the print head cleaning finishes. This takes about 50 seconds.
Note : After the print head cleaning finishes, print the nozzle check pattern to verify that the print head nozzles are clean.
If the problem persists, perform printhead deep cleaning.

Print Head Deep Cleaning : If print quality does not improve by standard print head cleaning, try print head deep cleaning, which is more powerful process. Print head deep cleaning consumes ink, so perforn this procedure only when necessary.
1) Ensure that the printer is on.
2) Start Print Head Deep cleaning.
a) Press Maintenance button.
b) Press right arrow twice to display 03 on the LCD.
c) Press the OK button.
Important : This process takes one or two minutes to complete so simply wait until the Power lamp stops flashing.
Note : After printhead deep cleaning finishes, print the nozzle check pattern to verify that the printhead nozzles are clean.
If the printhead is still not clean after the second deep cleaning, replace the ink tank.
If ink tank replacement does not resolve the problem, the print head may be worn out. Contact the Customer Care Center.

Hope this helps.
Please rate my response.
Thanks.

Have a good day.

Hi there,

When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors are Incorrect.
When printing becomes faint or colors are incorrect even if the ink remains in the ink tanks, the print head nozzles are probably clogged. Print the nozzle check pattern to confirm the condition of the nozzles and then perform the Print Head Cleaning.
Note : Before performing maintenace

*Open the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) and make sure that all lamps for the ink tanks are lit red.
-If any one of the lamps is flashing slowly, the associated ink tank is running low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have replacement ink tank available.
-If any one of the lamps is flashing fast, the associated ink tank is emty. Replace the ink tank.
If an ink tank is flashing fast even though ink remains in that ink tank, it is inserted into the wrong position. Make sure that the ink tank of the correct coloris inserted in each position matching the label.
-If the ink lamp is not lit, the tank is not set properly. Press the <PUSH> mark on the ink tank until the tank clicks into place. Make sure that all the packaging material is peeled off the ink tank.

*Increase the print quality setting in the printer settings.

Step 1 : Printing the Nozzle Check Printer.
1) Make sure that the machine is turned on, open the Front Feed and extend the Output Paper support.
2)Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or the Front Feeder.
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left.
3) Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4)Print the nozzle check pattern.
a) Press the Menu button.
b) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select the Maintenance/settings, then press the OK button.
The maintenance /setting screen is displayed.
3) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
4) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select the Nozzle check and then press the OK button.
The pattern confirmation screen is displayed.
5) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
The nozzle check print is printed, and the pattern confirmation screens are displayed alternately.

Examine the pattern and take the appropriate action.


Step 2: Print Head Cleaning
Clean the Print Head if lines are missing or if white streaks appear in the printed nozzle check pattern. Cleaning unclogs the nozzles and restores the print head condition. Note that cleaning the Print Head causes used inl to be absorbed in the ink absorber. Cleaning the Print Head consumes ink, so perform Print Head Cleaning only when necessary.
1) Make sure that the machine is on, open the Fron Feeder, and extend the Output Paper Support.
2) Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or the Front Feeder/
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left.
3) Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4) Start Print Head Cleaning.
a) Press the Menu button.
b) Use the right and left arrow button to select Maintenance/settings, then press the OK button.
The maintenance /setting screen is displayed.
c) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
d) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Cleaning and then press the OK button.
The confirmation screen is displayed.
e) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
Print Head Cleaning starts.
Do not perform any other operations until Print Head cleaning finishes. This takes about 50 seconds.
The pattern print confirmation screen is displayed.
f) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
The nozzle check print is printed, and the pattern confirmation screens are displayed alternately.
Examine the pattern and take the appropriate action.
Note : If the problem is not resolved after performing steps 4 and 5 twice, try Print Head Deep Cleaning.

Print Head Deep Cleaning.
If print quality does not improve by standard Print head Cleaning, try the Print Head Deep Cleaning, which is more powerful process. Note that cleaning the Print Head causes used ink to be absorbed in the ink absorber. Print Head deep Cleaning consumer more ink than the standard Print Head Cleaning, so perform this procedure only when neccessary.
1) Make sure that the machine is on, open the Fron Feeder, and extend the Output Paper Support.
2) Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or the Front Feeder/
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left.
3) Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4) Start Print Head Cleaning.
a) Press the Menu button.
b) Use the right and left arrow button to select Maintenance/settings, then press the OK button.
The maintenance /setting screen is displayed.
c) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
d) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Deep Cleaning and then press the OK button.
The confirmation screen is displayed.
e) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
Print Head Deep Cleaning starts.
Do not perform any other operations until Print Head Deep cleaning finishes. This takes about 100 seconds.

5) Check the condition of the Print Head.
a) Print the nozzle check pattern to check the print head condition.
If a particular color is not printed properly, replace the ink tank of that color.
b) If the print head nozzles are still not cleaned, turn off the machine and perform another Print Head Deep Cleaning after 24 hours.
c) If this does not solve the problem, the Print Head may be damaged. Contact your Canon service representative.

Hope this helps.
Please rate my response.
Thanks.
Have a good day.

Hi there,

To avoid drying of the Print Head and clogging of the nozzles, note the following.
*When you turn off the Machine
Follow the procedure below to turn off the machine.
1)Press the ON/OFF button to turn off the machine,
2) Confirm that the POWER lamp has gone out.
This takes a few seconds or as long as 20 seconds.
3) Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
If you are using a power outlet strip, you can switch off instead.
When you press the ON/OFF button to turn off the machine, the machine automatically puts a protective cap on the Print Head to prevent the ink from drying. If you remove the power cord or switch off the power outlet strip before the POWER lamp goes out, this capping will not be done properly, causing the Print Head to dry and clog.

* When You are not Using the Machine for a Long Time.
When you are not using the machine for a long time, print or copy in both black and white and in color or pertorm Print Head Cleaning, about once a month to prevent degradation of the Print Head.
Numerous nozzles are installed in the Print Head for high -precision printing. Just as the uncapped tip of a ballpoint pen or marker becomes dry and unusable if it is not used for a long period of time, the print nozzles becomes blocked by dried ink. Periodically printing or cleaning of the Print Head can prevent this blockage.
Note :
*If the printed area is traced with a highlight pen or paint-stick or stained with water or sweat, ink may blur depending in the paper.
*If the print head nozzles get clogged , printouts will become faint or particular colors will not be printed properly.

When Printing Becomes Faint or Colors are Incorrect.
When printing becomes faint or colors are incorrect even if the ink remains in the ink tanks, the print head nozzles are probably clogged. Print the nozzle check pattern to confirm the condition of the nozzles and then perform the Print Head Cleaning.
Note : Before performing maintenace

*Open the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) and make sure that all lamps for the ink tanks are lit red.
-If any one of the lamps is flashing slowly, the associated ink tank is running low. You can continue printing for a while, but we recommend you to have replacement ink tank available.
-If any one of the lamps is flashing fast, the associated ink tank is emty. Replace the ink tank.
If an ink tank is flashing fast even though ink remains in that ink tank, it is inserted into the wrong position. Make sure that the ink tank of the correct coloris inserted in each position matching the label.
-If the ink lamp is not lit, the tank is not set properly. Press the <PUSH> mark on the ink tank until the tank clicks into place. Make sure that all the packaging material is peeled off the ink tank.

*Increase the print quality setting in the printer settings.

Step 1 : Printing the Nozzle Check Printer.
1) Make sure that the machine is turned on, open the Front Feed and extend the Output Paper support.
2)Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or the Front Feeder.
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left.
3) Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4)Print the nozzle check pattern.
a) Press the Menu button.
b) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select the Maintenance/settings, then press the OK button.
The maintenance /setting screen is displayed.
3) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
4) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select the Nozzle check and then press the OK button.
The pattern confirmation screen is displayed.
5) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
The nozzle check print is printed, and the pattern confirmation screens are displayed alternately.

Examine the pattern and take the appropriate action.


Step 2: Print Head Cleaning
Clean the Print Head if lines are missing or if white streaks appear in the printed nozzle check pattern. Cleaning unclogs the nozzles and restores the print head condition. Note that cleaning the Print Head causes used inl to be absorbed in the ink absorber. Cleaning the Print Head consumes ink, so perform Print Head Cleaning only when necessary.
1) Make sure that the machine is on, open the Fron Feeder, and extend the Output Paper Support.
2) Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or the Front Feeder/
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left.
3) Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4) Start Print Head Cleaning.
a) Press the Menu button.
b) Use the right and left arrow button to select Maintenance/settings, then press the OK button.
The maintenance /setting screen is displayed.
c) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
d) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Cleaning and then press the OK button.
The confirmation screen is displayed.
e) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
Print Head Cleaning starts.
Do not perform any other operations until Print Head cleaning finishes. This takes about 50 seconds.
The pattern print confirmation screen is displayed.
f) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
The nozzle check print is printed, and the pattern confirmation screens are displayed alternately.
Examine the pattern and take the appropriate action.
Note : If the problem is not resolved after performing steps 4 and 5 twice, try Print Head Deep Cleaning.

Print Head Deep Cleaning.
If print quality does not improve by standard Print head Cleaning, try the Print Head Deep Cleaning, which is more powerful process. Note that cleaning the Print Head causes used ink to be absorbed in the ink absorber. Print Head deep Cleaning consumer more ink than the standard Print Head Cleaning, so perform this procedure only when neccessary.
1)
1) Make sure that the machine is on, open the Fron Feeder, and extend the Output Paper Support.
2) Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder or the Front Feeder/
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the left.
3) Press the Paper Feed Switch to select the paper source where you have loaded paper.
4) Start Print Head Cleaning.
a) Press the Menu button.
b) Use the right and left arrow button to select Maintenance/settings, then press the OK button.
The maintenance /setting screen is displayed.
c) Use the right and left arrow buttons to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.
The Maintenance screen is displayed.
d) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Deep Cleaning and then press the OK button.
The confirmation screen is displayed.
e) Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select Yes and the press the OK button.
Print Head Deep Cleaning starts.
Do not perform any other operations until Print Head Deep cleaning finishes. This takes about 100 seconds.

5) Check the condition of the Print Head.
a) Print the nozzle check pattern to check the print head condition.
If a particular color is not printed properly, replace the ink tank of that color.
b) If the print head nozzles are still not cleaned, turn off the machine and perform another Print Head Deep Cleaning after 24 hours.
c) If this does not solve the problem, the Print Head may be damaged. Contact your Canon service representative.

Hope this helps.
Please rate my response.
Thanks.
Have a good day.

Sorry but It uses Durabrite ink which tends to turn into hard gel if not printed at least once a week. Its less painful and expensive to just throw the printer out and buy a new one. I recommend the canon PIXMA ip3500. It lets you remove the printhead for cleaning unlike the Epson. If you want to try your luck at unclogging the printer heres a link to a unclogging kit but be warned that results are not guaranteed!

http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/kits/Epson/K89


Thanks for reading!