How to troubleshoot a Canon Pixma MX892 that suddenly stopped printing?

seseeley

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I have a Canon Pixma MX892. It just suddenly stopped printing. When printing a test page or nozzle check page the printer thinks it's printing but its not.

I'm sure the print head is not clogged because it printed fine last week and now when printing a test page there is zero ink on the paper. No streaks of ink, nothing, totally blank. I wouldn't think the print head would totally clog all at once?

I'm assuming that the print head electrically died or the PCB controlling printing died. Which is the most likely broken part? How can I troubleshoot what the problem is?

I have an old MX892 carcass which I believe has a dead power supply. Maybe I can rob parts from it?

Thanks for any help or insight,
Steve
 

stratman

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I feel for you. I have my own printer issue - the wireless stopped working suddenly.

First thing is to only use a USB cable and not wireless when trouble shooting these things.

Second, try printing a nozzle check or test page via the printer's own LCD screen, not from your computer. Any corrupted files on the computer will then be bypassed.

Third, to clarify, the printer ejects a piece of paper when you tried to print. Is the paper ejected quickly, like a failed/canceled print job or does the paper gradually leave the printer as it does while being printed on? Do you hear the print head moving over the paper?

In other words, what specifically do you mean by
the printer thinks it's printing but its not.

Fourth, is the print head locked down (assuming your model has the lock lever at all)? This is a lever or bar than must be moved to hold the print head in place or release to remove the print head.

Fifth, did you receive any error messages? If so, what exactly?

Edit:
 

seseeley

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Thanks stratman for the quick reply. I'll follow your troubleshooting steps and report back once I get home from work in about 6 hours.
 

seseeley

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Here are my answers to stratman's questions:

1st - Don't use WiFi. I'm using LAN cable to router. Never had a problem with LAN ever with several versions of MS Windows.

2nd - Print nozzle check directly from printer's LCD screen. Printer goes through the motions of printing but out comes a blank page.

3rd - What exactly is the printer doing. Printer head moves back and forth making the "printer sound" while slowly advancing the paper in sections just like printing. No quick ejection like a fail/cancel.

4th - The print head looks locked down. I've never missed around with the print head before (but I may need to). I looked very closely with a flashlight and it looks good to me. Do I need to remove all ink carts to verify?

5th - I received no error messages on the printer or computer screen.

Thanks for any help,
Steve
 

stratman

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The "sudden" nature of the failure, and that all cartridges are affected equally, points to an irreparable electrical failure. Whether it is print head, logic assay board or both cannot be said. Usually it is the print head that is the root of the problem (once ink starvation due to cartridge problems is ruled out). I cannot give you any better answer at this point. Maybe someone else can advise on how to check the electronics.

One other tidbit with the Canon printers is that an electrical problem in the print head can rarely spread to the logic assay board and vice versa. So, replacing only one part may not cure the problem and the issue may then spread to the new part and you are back to square one. It is rare but something we mention.

If your printer is under warranty then call Canon Tech Support.

If you want a new print head then see if Canon Sales still has stock. They typically give the best price in the USA.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now for the Hail Mary suggestions. If any ink begins to appear with nozzle checks then you may not have a (completely) dead print head or logic assay board.

Look inside the printer to see if any cables, wires or parts are dislodged or broken.

If the print head is not locked down properly then the electrical contacts between print head and printer may not be aligned properly. Additionally, if the electrical contacts have oxidized or are dirty for some reason then problems may occur. Cleaning the electrical contacts with a lint free cloth and isopropyl alcohol, or use a soft pencil eraser, is suggested.

If the print head developed simultaneous clogs across all nozzles then flushing the print head under tap water followed by soaking the print head in water plus liquid dish washing soap like Dawn or Fairy for at least 24 hours may help. The soaking solution should be just above the ink inlet ports of the print head. Rinse the print head and let dry completely before re-installing in printer.

You can try deep cleanings - no more than 2 in a 24 hour period, followed by a nozzle check to see if anything changes. Sometimes resting the printer overnight after the deep cleanings results in some success.

Make sure the air vents of the cartridges are not blocked by plastic wrapping that is present in new cartridges. This would block entry of air into the cartridge as ink is used. Without this equilibration of pressure in the cartridge there will be negative pressure in the cartridge and ink will not be able to flow during printing.

You did not say whether you use OEM new cartridges, aftermarket cartridges, or refill and the manufacturer of that refill cartridges. While doubtful these are the root of your issue. given the sudden and complete nature of the issue, make sure all cartridges are dispensing ink. Some will squeeze the cartridge over a sink to see it it drips, others will press it against a wadded up paper towel to see if ink is left on the paper.

Check the purge system to see if it is malfunctioning. If the purge system malfunctions then clogs occur over time. This also demonstrates ink is flowing from the cartridges.

Use a syringe/needle, soda straw, long eye dropper or some other implement FLOOD water or isopropyl alcohol on top of the purge pads. Water should POOL on top of the 2 pads. It takes more than a couple of drops to FLOOD the purge pads. The purge pads are located to the extreme right as you look into the inside of the printer. When the printer is idle or powered off, the print head rests above the purge pads. Open the lid and you will see the print head come to and stop in the middle, like when you change cartridges. Now use a flashlight to see the pads to the right. FLOOD the purge pads making sure you see a pool of water above them then close the lid and perform a simple cleaning. Open the lid and look to see if the water is now gone (the pads may even look a little less blackish). Report if you are unable to FLOOD the pads, if the POOLED water doesn't go away. Report your experience - if it worked as expected or not.


Let us know what happens.
 

seseeley

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Thanks again stratman for you help.

I use OEM (Canon) PGI-220 & CLI-221 carts that I've replaced their chips with PGI-225 & CLI-226 chips. I've got 2 sets that I've refilled over and over again since Feb. 2013 using Precision Colors inks. I've saved "a lot" of money, enough for me to buy a used printer a couple of years back and wellingness to buy a new print head now if needed.

This weekend I'll:
Bird dog the printer looking for any cables, wires or parts that are dislodged or broken, ensure head is locked down, etc.
Check the purge system per your instructions ... thanks for that.
Pull the old head out of the carcass and clean it as per your instructions. If I have too I'll try:
Canon MP540 saved by pharmacist's cleaning solution

Even if the old head isn't 100% and only partially prints, that would confirm my problem is my current head. Who knows maybe I can get the old head working 100%?

Best regards,
Steve
 

seseeley

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Question, when flushing the print head under tap water, should I be able to dribble water on the input ports and then see water dripping from the printing surface?

Another question, I've been soaking the head for a few days now and can see very tiny silver colored flakes coming from the input ports of the head. What is this? Some kind of ink filter which is falling apart?
 

stratman

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Question, when flushing the print head under tap water, should I be able to dribble water on the input ports and then see water dripping from the printing surface?
Only if the pressure of the water in the channel of the nozzles is sufficient. Not sure why you would "dribble" water when flushing the print head.

Another question, I've been soaking the head for a few days now and can see very tiny silver colored flakes coming from the input ports of the head. What is this? Some kind of ink filter which is falling apart?
Maybe so. There are mesh screens in the ink inlet ports of the print head. An example is below.

carriageE.jpg


What chemicals have you been using? Also, you should use no aggressive methods of heat or physical interaction (rubbing/drying) with the print head.
 

seseeley

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I'm using a strong solution of Dawn and tap water. I'm setting the print head on a stack of paper towels and pouring this Dawn solution a little at a time on the input ports and letting it sit, allowing the paper towels to wick out the solution. But I don't think this is working. How should I flush a print head? Thanks for your help stratman.
 

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How should I flush a print head?
Flushing is done under the tap of your sink. Soaking is done as I said in post #5. You can crumple a paper towel or two and place in the Dawn/water solution and rest the print head nozzle-side down on the paper towels, every once in a while pumping the print head up and down on the paper towels to helps move solution inside. Change the Dawn/water solution if dirty or every 12 hours. The water can be lukewarm. The Dawn/water solution does not need be "strong", whatever that means, but similar to how you would use it to wash dishes, whatever that means. Basically enough Dawn so it make a little bit of suds when mixed with a utensil or your hand.
 

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