Prints 1st or 2nd page oK than top of next page prints OK but the last 3/4 of page prints at approx 1/8th strength barely readable. When left for a little while than prints ok for next 1 or 2 pages than problem reappears.

This is a common problem with this model as it gets older the sponge on the feed solonoids becomes sticky and needs to be replaced. Also one or two of the clutches may need cleaning/replacing.

Hi there!
If the test page from pc or the machine test page doesnt show black, what you can do is to clean the printhead. To do that press the Ink Management button on the control panel and select cleaning press ok then press the up or down arrow key to select Black press ok and press Black Start. After the cleaning process print another test page. Compare the 1st and 2nd test page if it's improving, you may need to do this 3-5 times.
Hope this helps Please rate if it worked Thanks!

Most all-in-ones require you to scan an alignment sheet after changing the ink. Make sure the printer is on. Press Menu then use the up and down arrows to navigate to Maintenance. Click OK. Navigate to Auto Head Align and press OK. Select Yes and press OK. Load a sheet of Letter or A4 sized plain white paper in the rear tray, follow the on-screen directions. Open the output tray gently and the output tray extension. Press OK. When the page prints out, do not touch the printed sections. You should see a set of broken lines on the page, among other printing. The first section of columns will have 2 black, 1 blue and 3 black. The next row has 4 columns (blue and pink (to my eye)); the final row is 3 blue and 3 pink. If this prints okay, then select Yes and press OK. Next place the printed page face down on the glass of the scanner unit so that the black triangle at the top left of the page is in the left back corner of the glass. (The triangle is an alignment mark and lines up with the alignment mark on the edge of the scanner unit.) Close the document cover and press OK. The sheet will be scanned and the print heads will be adjusted. Do not open the document cover or move the sheet until the unit has completed the adjustment. Afterwards you can discard the sheet.

If the unit fails to adjust the print head, it will indicate this in the LCD screen. In that case, try manually adjusting the print head from the Canon Toolbox on your computer. If you can't get the printhead to align properly manually, the unit may need service.

For pictures, see the manual or support for the all-in-one here: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/printers_multifunction/photo_all_in_one_inkjet_printers/pixma_mp490#ServiceAndSupport . If you use the Support option, search for align print head.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

I am having this problem too! prints color but not black, brand new cartridge, sorry I am no help, but looking for help myself!

You may have to change the communication format called the "Spool format."

Please follow the steps given below to change the spool data format:
1. Click on "Start," "Control Panel," "Hardware and Sound" and "Printers."
2. Then, right click on the Lexmark printer icon and left click "Properties."
3. Either on the "Advanced" tab or the "General" tab for some models, there is a "Print Processor" button, left click it.
4. This is the spool format setting. Under "Print processor" it should be set to "Lexmark 2400 series print processor." Next, under "Default datatype," select "NT EMF 1.008."
5. Click "OK" and exit back out to your desktop.
6. Please try printing again.
If this does not help the situation, please describe any differences it does make.

I would try a cold reset. Turn the printer off; hold down the green "GO" button, continue to hold while you power the printer "ON". Hold the green "GO" button until the printer shows al " ********** " across the screen; now let go. It should soon say " Restoring Factory Settings ".

Change the paper settings in the driver when you go to print. If you have it set to 10x15 it will only print a 10x15 patch in the corner.

Go to START, PRINTERS AND FAXES then right click on R300 and select PROPERTIES. Click PRINTING PREFERENCES and set the correct paper properties. Click OK all the way to desk top and the settings will be saved.

On the printer panel press ADVANCED, scroll down 3 times to PAPER SIZE and press OK. Select A4 and press OK.

1st page prints perfect but the 2nd page comes out with very light and skipped printing.

1st step - print a self test report Press and hold the OK button. Then press the left arrow key one time. Release the OK button. The test page prints OR Press the OK and Help keys simultaneously. The test page prints print the test pages 4 time minimum 2nd step - reset the printer If the printer is not off, press the Power button to turn it off. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer. Unplug the universal serial bus (USB) cable from the back of the printer, if connected. Wait 30 seconds, then plug the power cord back into the printer. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet. Press the Power button to turn the printer on. Ensure that the memory card has been removed from the memory card slot. Make sure plain paper is loaded in the In Tray. Hold down the OK button and press the Right arrow button four times. If the test page prints, re-connect the USB cable to the printer. OR IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO SO THEN start - printers & faxes - click on the printer icon highlighted with a correct symbol ( ensure the proper printer is highlighted )- right click on the icon - properties - print test page option at the bottom of the properties screen. 3rd step - if the USB is connected to a USB Hub then disconnect it from the HUB and connect it directly to the wall socket.Make sure the USB cord is of the proper measurement as mentioned for the printer in the User Manual. 4th step - visit www.hp.com left side of the screen you shall see an option SOFTWARE & DRIVERS DOWNLOAD click on that in the next screen a tab comes up mentioning FOR PRODUCT enter PHOTOSMART D 5160 and hit enter / click on the arrow beside it choose the OS under DRIVER YOU HAVE OPTIONS LIKE - » HP Basic Driver (recommended) » HP Full Software and Driver (before downloading it uninstall the s/w & then download it )-DO THIS ONLY IF THE 1ST OPTION DOES NOT MAKE THE PRINTER FUNCTION FINE STILL ERROR PERSISTS : - replace if under warranty/service the printer in the service centre