After cartridge replacement will not print alignment page says print head is obstructed but no evidence for this orange lights at top of control panel flashing along with colour print yellow light power down with cover lid open or closed ends with same result have tried removing and reseating both cartridges yes i have removed the protective tape fromthe new cartridge!

It may mean the print head alignment rather than the cartridge
Check properties on printer in control panel and see if there is a head alignment option.
If there is it will print out an alignment page that you can compare to see if alignment is out on the print head.
Try also Google search engine
printer model and print head alignment

Cannon pixma 3500 Flashing orange light count the blinks for the error,

Important thing: HP inkjet printers having self align technology & its aligns automatically after replacing the ink cartridge/s.In the process of align it will prints align page &it will read it on the model.
Suppose if you replaced yellow cartridge, as usually it will print align page, but if one or more cartridges not printing properly align will not completes. Results every time it will prints the align page when its switching on. Align will completes only when all cartridges/print heads are in healthy condition.. Check the alignpage find out which colors are not printing properly, replace it to over come from this issue. Now you decide what to do?..

Try with another cartridge, If the same error, the printer head is bad.

Lift the entire top including the scanner portion until it clicks to stay open by itself (like some vehicle hoods). You should see the print head containing all the ink. It will slide back and forth for a moment, this is normal. Wait until it comes to a stop. Notice any blinking lights below the ink cartridges. If the light is solid, there is enough ink. If the light is blinking you'll need to replace that cartridge for the best print quality. Remove the ink by carefully but forcefully pushing on the tab with one finger and holding the back of the cartridge with other. It should simply slide out. Note the EXACT #'s on the ink cartridges. Right down all the information and the type of printer you have and take it to your local best buy or equivalent store, they will give you the replacement cartridges you need. Unwrap the package and carefully remove the orange tab on the bottom by twisting in the direction shown. (You may want to wear rubber gloves because the ink stains fingers badly.) Carefully but forcefully slide the new cartridge in place of the old and push down until you hear a click. The light under the cartridge should now be solid. Once all carts have been replaced close the lid of the printer and give it a moment to situate. Run a print head alignment to manually align all nozzles for best printing quality. Simply click the head align software button and follow the instructions, quite easy. You should be all set and ready to print!

Your printer uses 4 cartridges: PGI-5 Black and CLI-8 (Cyan/Magenta/Yellow). Unless you have a slot for a fifth cartridge, CLI-8BK cannot be used in your printer.


As for installing new cartridges:

1. Turn your printer on.Open the printer's lid. The printer will automatically move the ink cartridges to the center of the opening.
2. Unplug the printer's power supply cord from the electrical outlet to avoid the risk of an electrical shock.
   
3. Remove the printer cartridges by first pressing down on the top of each cartridge housing. Pressing down on the cartridge housings will cause the top of each housing to automatically lift up, thereby exposing the cartridges. Lift the cartridges out of each cartridge housing to remove them.
   
4. Install the replacement ink cartridges by first removing the orange safety tape located on either the top or the bottom of each cartridge, depending on the particular type of cartridge. The safety tape ensures that the cartridges do not leak ink before being installed. To remove the tape, simply pull the orange tab on the end of each piece of tape away from each cartridge. Position each cartridge into its cartridge housing so that the printed words on top of the each cartridge faces towards the front of the printer, then close the tops of the cartridge housings.
   
5. Plug the printer's power cord into an electrical outlet, then close the access panel by pressing down on the panel.
   
6. Turn the printer on and allow the printer a few minutes to recognize the new cartridges, then insert at least three pieces of paper into the paper tray, which the printer will require to align the cartridges.
   
7. Align the new cartridges by selecting either the "Clean and Align" or the "Cartridge Alignment" option, depending on the particular printer model. Some Canon models require the user to align the cartridges through the printer's software program. Select the "Print Properties" option in the printer's program, then select the "Clean and Align" option. The printer will produce several printed pages to confirm that the cartridges have been aligned. Other Canon models allow the user to align the cartridges directly from the printer. These printers features a display screen on the printer. Press the "Menu" button on the display, then use the arrow keys to select "Settings." Press the "OK" button, then use the arrow keys to highlight "Maintenance." Press the "OK" button, then use the arrow keys to highlight "Manual Head Align." Press the "OK" button, then use the arrow keys to highlight "Yes." Press the "OK" button one final time, then allow the printer to produce the printed pages confirming that the cartridges have been aligned.
   

Issue: Tinted printing / Colors are not exact
Solution: Resolving ink tank and cartridge issues BJC-6000

Printer attempts to print but no ink is on the paper Printer attempts to print but no ink is on the paper If the print quality is poor or no ink is appearing on the page, it may be because of the following problems:

• The ink in the BJ tanks has run out.
• The print head nozzles may be clogged
• The protective cap or tape may have been reattached to the BJ cartridge
• The BJ cartridge may need to be replaced
• You may be using the wrong side of the media.

To check the level of ink in the BJ tanks
Open the printer's front cover and visually check the level of the ink in all the BJ tanks. If a BJ tank is low or has run out of ink, replace it. Failure to do so may shorten the life of your BJ Cartridge
To check the status of the print head by printing a Nozzle Check Pattern

1. The Nozzle Check Pattern confirms whether the inks are being correctly ejected from the print head nozzles and whether the print head is correctly aligned.
   
   
2. On your printer, press and hold the Resume button until you hear 2 beeps.
   
   
3. When you release the button, the Nozzle Check Pattern will be printed. You can also print the Nozzle Check Pattern by clicking on the Test Print button in the Maintenance tab of the printer properties dialog box.
   
   
4. After the Nozzle Check Pattern is printed, check the results. Look at the Nozzle Check Pattern for each BJ Ink tank. If any colors are missing or if any horizontal lines are broken or missing, perform the print head cleaning procedure.

To perform the print head cleaning procedure

1. On your printer, press and hold the Resume button until you hear 1 beep.
   
   
2. When you release the button, all print heads for all colors will be cleaned.
   
   
3. You can also clean the print heads by clicking the left Print Head Cleaning button in the Maintenance tab of the printer properties dialog box.
   
   
4. When the print head cleaning begins, the POWER light starts flashing. This will continue for about 30 seconds. Wait for the light to stop flashing before you resume normal operation.
   
   
5. Perform the Nozzle Check Pattern test again.
   
   
6. If the results are satisfactory, resume normal printing. If the results are not satisfactory, you may need to execute a print head deep cleaning.
   

To execute a print head deep cleaning

1. Make sure paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and the printer is turned on.
   
   
2. Display the printer properties dialog box and click the Maintenance tab.
   
   
3. Click the right print head Cleaning button.
   
   
4. When the print head cleaning begins, the POWER light starts flashing. Wait for the light to stop flashing before you resume normal operation.
   
   
5. Perform the Nozzle Check Pattern test again.
   
   
6. If the Nozzle Check Pattern is still unsatisfactory, you may need to execute a print head alignment.

To execute a print head alignment
In Windows, display the Maintenance tab of the printer properties dialog box.

1. Click the right Test Print button.
   
   
2. Follow the instructions on the screens to perform an automatic print head alignment.
   
   
3. A confirmation screen will ask you if you want to perform automatic print head alignment. Read the screen and click OK. Another screen warns you not to start any other operation until the alignment is complete. Again, click OK.
   
   
4. The BJ Printer Status Monitor displays the Printer Status. The driver will align the print heads then will print an alignment pattern.
   
   
5. Perform the Nozzle Check Pattern test again.
   
   
6. If the Nozzle Check Pattern is still unsatisfactory, you may need to replace the BJ cartridge.

To replace a BJ Tank in a BJ Cartridge
Leave the BJ cartridge in the printer when replacing a BJ tank. Make sure the printer's power is on. Make sure you insert the BJ tank in the correct slot.

1. Open the front cover.
   
   
2. The power light blinks while the cartridge holder is positioned to the center of the printer.
   
   
3. Remove the empty BJ tank by pressing in on the release tab and then lifting the BJ tank up and out of its slot.
   
   
4. Dispose of the tank properly, taking care to avoid spilling ink on your hands, floor, furniture, or clothing.
   
   
5. Remove the new BJ tank from its package and pull the orange tape up and against the perforations to open the package film. Be careful not to remove the label from the tank. You will need it to match the tank to the correct slot in the BJ cartridge.
   
   
6. Twist the orange protective cap to remove it. Do not attempt to reattach the protective cap; instead, discard it along with the protective tape.
   
   
7. Insert the BJ tank by holding it at a slight angle, aligning it with the correct slot. Press down gently on the top of the tank until it locks into place.
   
   
8. Lock the ink tank in place by pressing down on the circle mark on the top of the tank.
   Close the printer cover.
   
   
9. The printer will automatically start cleaning the print heads. When the print heads are clean, the POWER light will stay on, indicating that the printer is ready for operation.
   
   
10. Perform another test print to make sure the new ink tanks are performing correctly.

To remove the protective cap and tape from the BJ cartridge

1. Open the printer's front cover.
   
   
2. Unlock the BJ cartridge by raising the cartridge lock lever. Make sure you raise it all the way up.
   
   
3. Remove the BJ cartridge by holding it by the circles on the left and right sides.
   
   
4. Make sure that the orange protective cap has been removed.
   
   
5. Make sure that the protective tape has also been removed.
   
   
6. Replace the BJ cartridge and move the blue cartridge lock lever until it locks in place.

To check the media
Make sure that you are printing to the correct side of the media that you are using, and that the Media Type setting in the printer driver properties correctly reflects the type of paper you are using.
Be sure to read any instructions that come with your Canon specialty paper. These instructions provide important information regarding how to achieve the highest print quality with these papers.

You say it stopped working mid-print... possible paper jam? Ink cartridge not clicked in all the way? (they should all line up evenly across the tops).
In control panel->printers and faxes, right click on Canoni960 and choose properties. In maintenance tab try to do nozzle check and print head alignment. In lower right corner is status monitor, click to see if any useful information in there.

Printer attempts to print but no ink is on the paper Printer attempts to print but no ink is on the paper If the print quality is poor or no ink is appearing on the page, it may be because of the following problems:

• The ink in the BJ tanks has run out.
• The print head nozzles may be clogged.
• The protective cap or tape may have been reattached to the BJ cartridge.
• The BJ cartridge may need to be replaced.
• You may be using the wrong side of the media.

To check the level of ink in the BJ tanks
Open the printer's front cover and visually check the level of the ink in all the BJ tanks. If a BJ tank is low or has run out of ink, replace it. Failure to do so may shorten the life of your BJ Cartridge
Check the status of the print heads by printing a Nozzle Check Pattern
The Nozzle Check Pattern confirms whether the inks are being correctly ejected from the print head nozzles and whether the print head is correctly aligned.

1. On your printer, press and hold the Resume button until the printer light flashes two times.
   
   
2. When you release the button, the Nozzle Check Pattern will be printed.
   
   You can also print the Nozzle Check Pattern by clicking on the Test Print button in the Maintenance tab of the printer properties dialog box.
   
   
3. After the Nozzle Check Pattern is printed, check the results.
   
   
4. Look at the Nozzle Check Pattern for each BJ cartridge. If any colors are missing or if any horizontal lines are broken or missing, perform the print head cleaning procedure.
   
   
   
   
5. In the alignment head pattern, if the lines are not perfectly overlapped, align the print heads.
   

To perform the print head cleaning procedure

1. On your printer, press and hold the Resume button until the printer light flashes one time.
   
   
2. When you release the button, the print head will be cleaned.
   
   You can also clean the print head by clicking the left Print Head Cleaning button in the Maintenance tab of the printer properties dialog box.
   
   
3. When the print head cleaning begins, the POWER light starts flashing. This will continue for about 30 seconds. Wait for the light to stop flashing before you resume normal operation.
   
4. Perform the Nozzle Check Pattern test again.
   
   
5. If the results are satisfactory, resume normal printing.
   
   
6. If the results are not satisfactory, you may need to execute a print head deep cleaning.
   

To execute a print head deep cleaning

1. Make sure paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and the printer is turned on.
   
   
2. Display the printer properties dialog box and click the Maintenance tab.
   
   
3. Click the right Print Head Cleaning button.
   
   
4. When the print head cleaning begins, the POWER light starts flashing. Wait for the light to stop flashing before you resume normal operation.
   
   
5. Perform the Nozzle Check Pattern test again.

If the Nozzle Check Pattern is still unsatisfactory, you may need to execute a print head alignment.
To execute a print head alignment

1. In Windows, display the Maintenance tab of the printer properties dialog box.
   
   
2. Click the right Test Print button.
   
   
3. Follow the instructions on the screens to perform an automatic print head alignment.
   
   
4. A confirmation screen will ask you if you want to perform automatic print head alignment. Read the screen and click OK.
   
   
5. Another screen warns you not to start any other operation until the alignment is complete. Again, click OK.
   
   
6. The BJ Printer Status Monitor displays the Printer Status. The driver will align the print heads then will print an alignment pattern.
   
   
7. Perform the Nozzle Check Pattern test again.

If the Nozzle Check Pattern is still unsatisfactory, you may need to replace the BJ cartridge.
To replace a BJ Tank in a BJ Cartridge
Leave the BJ cartridge in the printer when replacing a BJ tank. Make sure the printer's power is on. Make sure you insert the BJ tank in the correct slot.

1. Open the front cover.
   
   
2. The power light blinks while the cartridge holder is positioned to the center of the printer.
   
   
3. Remove the empty BJ tank by pressing in on the release tab and then lifting the BJ tank up and out of its slot.
   
   
4. Dispose of the tank properly, taking care to avoid spilling ink on your hands, floor, furniture, or clothing.
   
   
5. Remove the new BJ tank from its package and pull the orange tape up and against the perforations to open the package film.
   
   
6. Be careful not to remove the label from the tank. You will need it to match the tank to the correct slot in the BJ cartridge.
   
   
7. Twist the orange protective cap to remove it.
   
   
8. Do not attempt to reattach the protective cap; instead, discard it along with the protective tape.
   
   
9. Insert the BJ tank by holding it at a slight angle, aligning it with the correct slot. Press down gently on the top of the tank until it locks into place.
   
   
10. Lock the ink tank in place by pressing down on the circle mark on the top of the tank.
    
    
11. Close the printer cover.
    
    
12. The printer will automatically start cleaning the print heads. When the print heads are clean, the POWER light will stay on, indicating that the printer is ready for operation.
    
    
13. Perform another test print to make sure the new ink tanks are performing correctly.

To remove the protective cap and tape from the BJ cartridge

1. Open the printer's front cover.
   
   
2. Unlock the BJ cartridge by raising the cartridge lock lever. Make sure you raise it all the way up.
   
   
3. Remove the BJ cartridge by holding it by the circles on the left and right sides.
   
   
4. Make sure that the orange protective cap has been removed.
   
   
5. Make sure that the protective tape has also been removed.
   
   
6. Replace the BJ cartridge and move the blue cartridge lock lever until it locks in place.

To check the media:

• Make sure that you are printing to the correct side of the media that you are using.
• Be sure to read any instructions that come with your Canon specialty paper. These instructions provide important information regarding how to achieve the highest print quality with these papers.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00309184&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=374568&lang=en