Canon MX397 - Print problems (white lines!)

Bob Thompson

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Hi all,

Sooo I recently very foolishly purchased this printer 2nd hand.

When I print or scan, there are several white lines through the document. I have attached pics to show this and also the inside of the printer.

I have tried every clean and check available on the printer, although when I attempt a deep clean, I receive an error message and have to unplug at the wall (pic also attached). However, I was able to run deep clean via commands on the laptop when it was attached, but the problem remains.

The black ink cartridge is new, I installed it as soon as I got home, and the color cartridge is empty and belonged to the previous owner.

Has anyone got any suggestions? Or should I try dragging it to a print store where I live? I'm new in Taiwan, so hoping to avoid the latter if possible.

Cheers!
Bob
 

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PeterBJ

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I think the white line in the black print is caused by a clogged nozzle. Was the black cartridge a new and unused genuine Canon cartridge, not a refilled/remanufactured cartridge? If it is a genuine Canon OEM cartridge, you might get it replaced as it is most likely defective.

I don't have the service manual for the MX397, but in other service manuals for two cartridge printers error/support code 5200 means print head overheating or defective logic board. Canon print heads need a steady supply of ink to keep the nozzles cooled, so this error message is probably caused by the empty colour cartridge. Here is a clip from another two cartridge printer service manual:

iP2700 error 5200.jpg


Even if it is expensive I suggest to try two new original Canon cartridges. In many parts of the world the XL versions of the cartridges are 50% more expensive but lasts for the double number of printed pages compared to the standard cartridges.
 

Bob Thompson

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I think the white line in the black print is caused by a clogged nozzle. Was the black cartridge a new and unused genuine Canon cartridge, not a refilled/remanufactured cartridge? If it is a genuine Canon OEM cartridge, you might get it replaced as it is most likely defective.

I don't have the service manual for the MX397, but in other service manuals for two cartridge printers error/support code 5200 means print head overheating or defective logic board. Canon print heads need a steady supply of ink to keep the nozzles cooled, so this error message is probably caused by the empty colour cartridge. Here is a clip from another two cartridge printer service manual:

View attachment 4456

Even if it is expensive I suggest to try two new original Canon cartridges. In many parts of the world the XL versions of the cartridges are 50% more expensive but lasts for the double number of printed pages compared to the standard cartridges.

Thanks for this. Yes, but I bought the black cartridge new but not from a particularly official place. It was sealed, however. Do you think it could possibly be anything else causing it? I am worried about spending even more in case it doesn't resolve it but I guess perhaps it is my best option.

That makes sense about the error, however, I guess a deep cleaning would not assist in this situation anyhow?

Many thanks!
 

PeterBJ

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Some Canon two cartridge printers have a setting that will allow them printing with only one cartridge. You can chose between printing with either the black or the coloured cartridge or both. Maybe selecting black only will allow you to do a deep cleaning of the black cartridge without error messages?

This is the driver tab for the two cartridge MP270, my Windows language is Danish, but the images should be independent of language:

MP270 properties.jpg


Clicking the button marked with the arrow opens this window, which lets you select which ink cartridges should be used, black and colour, colour only or black only:

MP270 properties1.jpg


I tried selecting black cartridge only for a Canon MP270 and removed the colour cartridge for printing with the black cartridge only. This caused an error message, both cartridges must be installed. But you could give this a try with the colour cartridge left in place.

A deep cleaning might bring the missing black nozzle(s) back, but will not clear the Error 5200. only a new colour cartridge might eliminate this error.
 

Bob Thompson

Newbie to Printing
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Canon MX397
Some Canon two cartridge printers have a setting that will allow them printing with only one cartridge. You can chose between printing with either the black or the coloured cartridge or both. Maybe selecting black only will allow you to do a deep cleaning of the black cartridge without error messages?

This is the driver tab for the two cartridge MP270, my Windows language is Danish, but the images should be independent of language:

View attachment 4457

Clicking the button marked with the arrow opens this window, which lets you select which ink cartridges should be used, black and colour, colour only or black only:

View attachment 4458

I tried selecting black cartridge only for a Canon MP270 and removed the colour cartridge for printing with the black cartridge only. This caused an error message, both cartridges must be installed. But you could give this a try with the colour cartridge left in place.

A deep cleaning might bring the missing black nozzle(s) back, but will not clear the Error 5200. only a new colour cartridge might eliminate this error.

Thanks again! Unfortunately deep cleaning (which was surprisingly brief), doesn't seem to have fixed the problem. You think a replacement cartridge could still help? Or does this mean the printer is dead?
 

PeterBJ

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I admit that I am guessing, but I think that a set of new genuine cartridges from an official seller of Canon cartridges will bring the printer back to good working order. Some refilled/remanufactured cartridges also come in sealed packages.
 
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