Cappuccino
Newbie to Printing
- Joined
- May 26, 2019
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 7
- Printer Model
- Canon MG8220
Hi all,
As the title of this post implies, my family’s Canon MG8220 currently will not print in color (See the attached image for the faulty nozzle check pattern). That being said, since last summer, this printer has been problematic. For transparency’s sake, I will explain as thoroughly as possible its history throughout the past year. Although I am a college student and have not personally witnessed some of the events discussed below, my mom—the primary user of our Canon—has described to me her issues with the device. I am writing here as a last resort after perusing posts from the numerous experts within this forum. Hopefully, your helpful advice can salvage yet another printer.
Sometime last summer, our Canon displayed the infamous, ink absorber pad error upon startup. After researching online, my mom found instructions for cleaning the pads, but was unable to dismiss the error message on the screen, preventing usage of the printer. (Unbeknownst to us at the time, the printer refused to operate until the AI’s counter was reset as well.) Because our computer was simultaneously acting erratically, we decided to take both devices to a local repair shop. However, even their supposed “Canon expert” failed to fix the error message. Consequently, my mom surmised our printer was out of commission. Given that I had to return to school, the printer was a paperweight for several months until my winter break.
At that time, after discovering YouTube videos and posts on forums like PK explaining how to enter service mode and reset the waste ink counter, I managed to eliminate the error message on the screen, allowing us to print again. Since the printer was dormant for over five months, I executed several tasks listed under the “Maintenance” tab, beginning with a nozzle check pattern. While the results from January were discarded, I distinctly remember seeing a single, thin, white line through the darkest magenta section. Assuming the printhead may have been clogged, I then selected the “cleaning” and “deep cleaning” options. Yet, I THINK the white line remained. Unfortunately, I erroneously concluded that such a minor imperfection in the nozzle check pattern was benign, so we disregarded it. I now realize my ignorance.
In the middle of February, I began receiving texts from my mom chronicling additional issues with the printer. Initially, edges of papers were slightly streaked with black ink, but I believe a bottom plate cleaning solved the problem. On March 13th, she informed me that PGBK was the sole “color” to appear on a nozzle check; multiple printhead cleanings were futile. Suspecting that the latter necessitated replacement, I found an eBay listing from a reputable seller in the United States for a new, genuine, QY6-0078 printhead. Prior to purchasing the part, I recommended that she perform all maintenance options and manually clean the printhead. According to her, she utilized warm, distilled water—apparently, the printhead was “really dirty,” requiring three cups of spooned water before flowing properly—and subsequently soaked it in the solution. Nevertheless, she stated that only a “very light [black and white] copy on ‘high’” could be printed following this procedure. Inserting the new printhead precipitated the same outcome.
In addition, replacing the ink cartridges with new ones was ineffective. Colors were still absent from pages, including the nozzle check pattern. By the way, we only have used OEM cartridges.
Characteristic of some users’ experiences, I hope that the eBay printhead is not defective, considering we spent over $80 on it. Although the box was unsealed, my mom claims that the printhead was sealed inside its packaging, and it seemed to be in “pristine” condition. Regardless, we have both printheads.
Since I have recently returned home from college, I would like to help my family restore our MG8220 to working order, if at all possible. It was an excellent printer for many years and likely superior to today’s models. I am relatively unfamiliar with printer repair, so I need detailed instructions on how to fix this problem. I still have Canon Service Tool v3400, but if a service manual for my model is available online, please let me know. Thank you in advance for any information/suggestions that can be provided.
As the title of this post implies, my family’s Canon MG8220 currently will not print in color (See the attached image for the faulty nozzle check pattern). That being said, since last summer, this printer has been problematic. For transparency’s sake, I will explain as thoroughly as possible its history throughout the past year. Although I am a college student and have not personally witnessed some of the events discussed below, my mom—the primary user of our Canon—has described to me her issues with the device. I am writing here as a last resort after perusing posts from the numerous experts within this forum. Hopefully, your helpful advice can salvage yet another printer.
Sometime last summer, our Canon displayed the infamous, ink absorber pad error upon startup. After researching online, my mom found instructions for cleaning the pads, but was unable to dismiss the error message on the screen, preventing usage of the printer. (Unbeknownst to us at the time, the printer refused to operate until the AI’s counter was reset as well.) Because our computer was simultaneously acting erratically, we decided to take both devices to a local repair shop. However, even their supposed “Canon expert” failed to fix the error message. Consequently, my mom surmised our printer was out of commission. Given that I had to return to school, the printer was a paperweight for several months until my winter break.
At that time, after discovering YouTube videos and posts on forums like PK explaining how to enter service mode and reset the waste ink counter, I managed to eliminate the error message on the screen, allowing us to print again. Since the printer was dormant for over five months, I executed several tasks listed under the “Maintenance” tab, beginning with a nozzle check pattern. While the results from January were discarded, I distinctly remember seeing a single, thin, white line through the darkest magenta section. Assuming the printhead may have been clogged, I then selected the “cleaning” and “deep cleaning” options. Yet, I THINK the white line remained. Unfortunately, I erroneously concluded that such a minor imperfection in the nozzle check pattern was benign, so we disregarded it. I now realize my ignorance.
In the middle of February, I began receiving texts from my mom chronicling additional issues with the printer. Initially, edges of papers were slightly streaked with black ink, but I believe a bottom plate cleaning solved the problem. On March 13th, she informed me that PGBK was the sole “color” to appear on a nozzle check; multiple printhead cleanings were futile. Suspecting that the latter necessitated replacement, I found an eBay listing from a reputable seller in the United States for a new, genuine, QY6-0078 printhead. Prior to purchasing the part, I recommended that she perform all maintenance options and manually clean the printhead. According to her, she utilized warm, distilled water—apparently, the printhead was “really dirty,” requiring three cups of spooned water before flowing properly—and subsequently soaked it in the solution. Nevertheless, she stated that only a “very light [black and white] copy on ‘high’” could be printed following this procedure. Inserting the new printhead precipitated the same outcome.
In addition, replacing the ink cartridges with new ones was ineffective. Colors were still absent from pages, including the nozzle check pattern. By the way, we only have used OEM cartridges.Characteristic of some users’ experiences, I hope that the eBay printhead is not defective, considering we spent over $80 on it. Although the box was unsealed, my mom claims that the printhead was sealed inside its packaging, and it seemed to be in “pristine” condition. Regardless, we have both printheads.
Since I have recently returned home from college, I would like to help my family restore our MG8220 to working order, if at all possible. It was an excellent printer for many years and likely superior to today’s models. I am relatively unfamiliar with printer repair, so I need detailed instructions on how to fix this problem. I still have Canon Service Tool v3400, but if a service manual for my model is available online, please let me know. Thank you in advance for any information/suggestions that can be provided.
