Canon Group
Close Close
Menu Menu Close Close Search
PIXMA MG3260 Support
FAQ and troubleshooting

No Printing Results/Printing Is Blurred/Colors Are Wrong/White Streaks

Content Id: 8201542900


Issue

No Printing Results
Printing Is Blurred

Colors Are Wrong

White Streaks

Cause and solution

Check 1: Print the Nozzle Check Pattern and perform any necessary maintenance operations such as Print Head Cleaning

Print the Nozzle Check Pattern to determine whether the ink ejects properly from the print head nozzles.

If the Nozzle Check Pattern is not printed correctly:

After performing the Print Head Cleaning, print the Nozzle Check Pattern and examine the pattern.

If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Cleaning twice:

Perform the Print Head Deep Cleaning.

If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Deep Cleaning, turn off the machine and perform another Print Head Deep Cleaning after 24 hours.

If the problem is not resolved after performing the Print Head Deep Cleaning twice:

Ink may have run out. Replace the FINE cartridge.

Cause and solution

Check 2: Did you confirm the paper and print quality settings?

Cause and solution

Check 3: When a FINE cartridge runs out of ink, replace it with a new one

When you need to replace a FINE cartridge, follow the procedure below.

Caution

- Handling FINE cartridge -

Do not touch the electrical contacts (A) or print head nozzle (B) on a FINE cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch them.

If you remove a FINE cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with the FINE cartridge removed.
Use a new FINE cartridge for replacement. Installing a used FINE cartridge may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such a FINE cartridge, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the FINE cartridge properly.
Once a FINE cartridge has been installed, do not remove it from the machine and leave it out in the open. This will cause the FINE cartridge to dry out, and the machine may not operate properly when it is reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use a FINE cartridge within six months of first use.

Caution

If a FINE cartridge runs out of ink, you can print with either color or black FINE cartridge, in whichever ink remains, only for a while. However the print quality may be reduced compared to when printing with both cartridges. We recommend to use a new FINE cartridge in order to obtain optimum qualities. Even when printing with one ink only, print with leaving the empty FINE cartridge installed. If either of the color FINE cartridge or black FINE cartridge is not installed, an error occurs and the machine cannot print.
Color ink may be consumed even when printing a black-and-white document or when black-and-white printing is specified. Both color ink and black ink are also consumed in the standard cleaning and deep cleaning of the print head, which may be necessary to maintain the performance of the machine. When ink runs out, replace the FINE cartridge immediately with a new one.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, open the front cover (C), then open the paper output tray (D).

2. Open the paper output cover (E).

When the FINE cartridge holder moves to the replacement position, the head cover (F) OPENS AUTOMATICALLY.

Caution

Do not hold the FINE cartridge holder to stop or move it forcibly. Do not touch the FINE cartridge holder until it stops completely.

Caution

The head cover will open automatically after you open the paper output cover. If you have closed the head cover while replacing a FINE cartridge, close the paper output cover, then open it again. Trying to force open the head cover with your hand may cause the machine to malfunction.
Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.
If the paper output cover is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE cartridge holder moves to the far right and the Alarm lamp lights. In this case, close the paper output cover, then open it again.

3. Remove the empty FINE cartridge.

(1) Push down the ink cartridge lock lever until it clicks.

(2) Remove the FINE cartridge.

Caution

Handle the FINE cartridge carefully to avoid staining of clothing or the surrounding area.
Discard the empty FINE cartridge according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.

4. Prepare a new FINE cartridge.

(1) Take a new FINE cartridge out of its package and remove the protective tape (G) gently.

Caution

If you shake a FINE cartridge, ink may spill out and stain your hands and the surrounding area. Handle a FINE cartridge carefully.
Be careful not to stain your hands and the surrounding area with ink on the removed protective tape.
Do not reattach the protective tape once you have removed it. Discard it according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
Do not touch the electrical contacts or print head nozzle on a FINE cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch them.

5. Install the FINE cartridge.

(1) Insert the new FINE cartridge straight into the FINE cartridge holder all the way until it touches the back.

The color FINE cartridge should be installed into the left slot and the black FINE cartridge should be installed into the right slot.

Caution

Insert the FINE cartridge gently so that it does not hit the electrical contacts on the FINE cartridge holder.

(2) Push up the ink cartridge lock lever to lock the FINE cartridge into place.

The FINE cartridge is locked into place when the ink cartridge lock lever clicks.

Caution

Check if the FINE cartridge is installed correctly.

The machine cannot print unless both the color FINE cartridge and black FINE cartridge are installed. Be sure to install both cartridges.

6. Close the paper output cover (H).

Caution

If the Alarm lamp lights or flashes orange after the paper output cover is closed, take appropriate action.

-⋗ [ An Error Code Is Displayed on the LED ]

When you start printing after replacing the FINE cartridge, the machine starts cleaning the print head automatically. Do not perform any other operations until the machine completes the cleaning of the print head.
If the print head is out of alignment, as indicated by misaligned printed ruled lines or similar symptoms, adjust the print head position.
The machine may make noise during operation.
Replacing a FINE Cartridge

Cause and solution

Check 4: When using paper with one printable surface, make sure that the paper is loaded with the printable side facing up/down

Load paper with the printable side facing down.

Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the paper for detailed information on the printable side.

Cause and solution

Check 5: Is the FINE cartridge installed properly?

If the FINE cartridge is not installed securely, ink may not be ejected correctly.

Open the paper output cover, then the head cover opens.

Push up the ink cartridge lock lever to confirm that the FINE cartridge is installed properly.

After confirming that the FINE cartridge is installed properly, close the paper output cover.

If the problem is not resolved, remove the FINE cartridges, then install them again.

When you need to replace a FINE cartridge, follow the procedure below.

Caution

- Handling FINE cartridge -

Do not touch the electrical contacts (A) or print head nozzle (B) on a FINE cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch them.

If you remove a FINE cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with the FINE cartridge removed.
Use a new FINE cartridge for replacement. Installing a used FINE cartridge may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such a FINE cartridge, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the FINE cartridge properly.
Once a FINE cartridge has been installed, do not remove it from the machine and leave it out in the open. This will cause the FINE cartridge to dry out, and the machine may not operate properly when it is reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use a FINE cartridge within six months of first use.

Caution

If a FINE cartridge runs out of ink, you can print with either color or black FINE cartridge, in whichever ink remains, only for a while. However the print quality may be reduced compared to when printing with both cartridges. We recommend to use a new FINE cartridge in order to obtain optimum qualities. Even when printing with one ink only, print with leaving the empty FINE cartridge installed. If either of the color FINE cartridge or black FINE cartridge is not installed, an error occurs and the machine cannot print.
Color ink may be consumed even when printing a black-and-white document or when black-and-white printing is specified. Both color ink and black ink are also consumed in the standard cleaning and deep cleaning of the print head, which may be necessary to maintain the performance of the machine. When ink runs out, replace the FINE cartridge immediately with a new one.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, open the front cover (C), then open the paper output tray (D).

2. Open the paper output cover (E).

When the FINE cartridge holder moves to the replacement position, the head cover (F) OPENS AUTOMATICALLY.

Caution

Do not hold the FINE cartridge holder to stop or move it forcibly. Do not touch the FINE cartridge holder until it stops completely.

Caution

The head cover will open automatically after you open the paper output cover. If you have closed the head cover while replacing a FINE cartridge, close the paper output cover, then open it again. Trying to force open the head cover with your hand may cause the machine to malfunction.
Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.
If the paper output cover is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE cartridge holder moves to the far right and the Alarm lamp lights. In this case, close the paper output cover, then open it again.

3. Remove the empty FINE cartridge.

(1) Push down the ink cartridge lock lever until it clicks.

(2) Remove the FINE cartridge.

Caution

Handle the FINE cartridge carefully to avoid staining of clothing or the surrounding area.
Discard the empty FINE cartridge according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.

4. Prepare a new FINE cartridge.

(1) Take a new FINE cartridge out of its package and remove the protective tape (G) gently.

Caution

If you shake a FINE cartridge, ink may spill out and stain your hands and the surrounding area. Handle a FINE cartridge carefully.
Be careful not to stain your hands and the surrounding area with ink on the removed protective tape.
Do not reattach the protective tape once you have removed it. Discard it according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
Do not touch the electrical contacts or print head nozzle on a FINE cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch them.

5. Install the FINE cartridge.

(1) Insert the new FINE cartridge straight into the FINE cartridge holder all the way until it touches the back.

The color FINE cartridge should be installed into the left slot and the black FINE cartridge should be installed into the right slot.

Caution

Insert the FINE cartridge gently so that it does not hit the electrical contacts on the FINE cartridge holder.

(2) Push up the ink cartridge lock lever to lock the FINE cartridge into place.

The FINE cartridge is locked into place when the ink cartridge lock lever clicks.

Caution

Check if the FINE cartridge is installed correctly.

The machine cannot print unless both the color FINE cartridge and black FINE cartridge are installed. Be sure to install both cartridges.

6. Close the paper output cover (H).

Caution

If the Alarm lamp lights or flashes orange after the paper output cover is closed, take appropriate action.

-⋗ [ An Error Code Is Displayed on the LED ]

When you start printing after replacing the FINE cartridge, the machine starts cleaning the print head automatically. Do not perform any other operations until the machine completes the cleaning of the print head.
If the print head is out of alignment, as indicated by misaligned printed ruled lines or similar symptoms, adjust the print head position.
The machine may make noise during operation.
Replacing a FINE Cartridge

Cause and solution

When copying, see also the sections below:

Cause and solution

Check 6: Is the platen glass dirty?

Clean the Platen Glass.

Cause and solution

Check 7: Make sure that the original is properly loaded on the platen glass

Cause and solution

Check 8: Is the original loaded with the side to be copied facing down on the platen glass?

Cause and solution

Check 9: Did you copy a printout done by this machine?

If you use a printout done by this machine as the original, print quality may be reduced depending on the condition of the original.

Print from the machine directly, or reprint from the computer.

"Was this helpful?"