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PIXMA MX420 Support
FAQ and troubleshooting

An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD

Content Id: 8201021900


Issue

If an error message is displayed on the LCD, take the corresponding action described below.

Cause and solution

Print head is not installed. Install the print head. U051 The type of print head is incorrect. Install the correct print head. U052 The following ink cartridge cannot be recognized. U053/U059

The FINE Cartridge may not be installed properly, or the Cartridge may not be compatible with this machine.

Open the Scanning Unit (Cover) and install the appropriate FINE Cartridge. After that, push the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks into place, then close the Scanning Unit (Cover).

If the error is not resolved, the FINE Cartridge may be damaged. Contact the service center.

Cause and solution

Some ink cartridges are not installed in place U075/U076

Make sure that each FINE Cartridge is installed in the correct position.

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

Caution

Handling FINE Cartridges

Do not touch the electrical contacts (A) or print head nozzles (B) on the FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

If you remove a FINE Cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with FINE Cartridges removed.
Use new FINE Cartridges for replacement. Installing used FINE Cartridges may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such cartridges, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the cartridges 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 new FINE Cartridges 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 machine's performance. When ink runs out, replace the FINE Cartridge immediately with a new one.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and open the Paper Output Tray gently.

2. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover), then hold it open with the Scanning Unit Support (C).

The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the replacement position.

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 inside of the machine may be stained with ink. Be careful not to stain your hands or clothing when replacing FINE Cartridges. You can easily wipe off the ink from the inside of the machine with tissue paper or the like.
Do not place any object on the Document Cover. It will fall into the Rear Tray when the Document Cover is opened and cause the machine to malfunction.
If the Document Cover is open, you cannot open the Scanning Unit (Cover). Be sure to lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) with the Document Cover closed.
When opening or closing the Scanning Unit (Cover), do not touch the buttons and LCD on the Operation Panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.
Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.
If the Scanning Unit (Cover) is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the right. In this case, close and reopen the Scanning Unit (Cover).

3.Remove the empty FINE Cartridge.

(1) Pinch the tabs and open the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover.

(2) Remove the FINE Cartridge.

Caution

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

4. Prepare the new FINE Cartridge.

(1) Take a new FINE Cartridge out of its package and remove the orange protective tape (D) 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 nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

5. Install the FINE Cartridge.

(1) Put a new FINE Cartridge in the FINE Cartridge Holder.

The Color FINE Cartridge should be installed into the left slot and the Black FINE Cartridge should be installed into the right slot.

(2) Close the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover to lock the FINE Cartridge into place.

Push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(3) Confirm that the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is closed correctly.

Caution

If the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is not closed correctly, push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(E) Closed correctly

(F) Not closed correctly (the cover is tilted)

Caution

The machine cannot print unless both the Color and Black FINE Cartridges are installed. Be sure to install both the FINE Cartridges.

6. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) slightly to set the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, and gently close the Scanning Unit (Cover).

Caution

When setting the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, be sure to hold the Scanning Unit (Cover) firmly, and be careful not to get your fingers caught.

Caution

When opening or closing the Scanning Unit (Cover), do not touch the buttons and LCD on the Operation Panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.

Caution

If the error message appears after the Scanning Unit (Cover) is closed, refer to [ An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD ]
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 printed ruled lines are misaligned or the print head position is misaligned, adjust the print head position. See [ Aligning the Print Head ]
Replace ink cartridge(s)

Cause and solution

The following ink cartridge cannot be recognized U140

Appropriate FINE Cartridge is not installed.

Printing cannot be executed because the FINE Cartridge is not compatible with this machine.

Install the appropriate FINE Cartridge.

If you want to cancel printing, press the machine's Stop button.

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

Caution

Handling FINE Cartridges

Do not touch the electrical contacts (A) or print head nozzles (B) on the FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

If you remove a FINE Cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with FINE Cartridges removed.
Use new FINE Cartridges for replacement. Installing used FINE Cartridges may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such cartridges, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the cartridges 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 new FINE Cartridges 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 machine's performance. When ink runs out, replace the FINE Cartridge immediately with a new one.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and open the Paper Output Tray gently.

2. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover), then hold it open with the Scanning Unit Support (C).

The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the replacement position.

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 inside of the machine may be stained with ink. Be careful not to stain your hands or clothing when replacing FINE Cartridges. You can easily wipe off the ink from the inside of the machine with tissue paper or the like.
Do not place any object on the Document Cover. It will fall into the Rear Tray when the Document Cover is opened and cause the machine to malfunction.
If the Document Cover is open, you cannot open the Scanning Unit (Cover). Be sure to lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) with the Document Cover closed.
When opening or closing the Scanning Unit (Cover), do not touch the buttons and LCD on the Operation Panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.
Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.
If the Scanning Unit (Cover) is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the right. In this case, close and reopen the Scanning Unit (Cover).

3.Remove the empty FINE Cartridge.

(1) Pinch the tabs and open the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover.

(2) Remove the FINE Cartridge.

Caution

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

4. Prepare the new FINE Cartridge.

(1) Take a new FINE Cartridge out of its package and remove the orange protective tape (D) 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 nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

5. Install the FINE Cartridge.

(1) Put a new FINE Cartridge in the FINE Cartridge Holder.

The Color FINE Cartridge should be installed into the left slot and the Black FINE Cartridge should be installed into the right slot.

(2) Close the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover to lock the FINE Cartridge into place.

Push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(3) Confirm that the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is closed correctly.

Caution

If the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is not closed correctly, push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(E) Closed correctly

(F) Not closed correctly (the cover is tilted)

Caution

The machine cannot print unless both the Color and Black FINE Cartridges are installed. Be sure to install both the FINE Cartridges.

6. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) slightly to set the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, and gently close the Scanning Unit (Cover).

Caution

When setting the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, be sure to hold the Scanning Unit (Cover) firmly, and be careful not to get your fingers caught.

Caution

When opening or closing the Scanning Unit (Cover), do not touch the buttons and LCD on the Operation Panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.

Caution

If the error message appears after the Scanning Unit (Cover) is closed, refer to [ An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD ]
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 printed ruled lines are misaligned or the print head position is misaligned, adjust the print head position. See [ Aligning the Print Head ]
Replace ink cartridge(s)

Cause and solution

The following ink cartridge cannot be recognized U150

The FINE Cartridge cannot be recognized.

Replace the FINE Cartridge.

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

Caution

Handling FINE Cartridges

Do not touch the electrical contacts (A) or print head nozzles (B) on the FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

If you remove a FINE Cartridge, replace it immediately. Do not leave the machine with FINE Cartridges removed.
Use new FINE Cartridges for replacement. Installing used FINE Cartridges may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such cartridges, the machine will not be able to inform you when to replace the cartridges 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 new FINE Cartridges 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 machine's performance. When ink runs out, replace the FINE Cartridge immediately with a new one.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and open the Paper Output Tray gently.

2. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover), then hold it open with the Scanning Unit Support (C).

The FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the replacement position.

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 inside of the machine may be stained with ink. Be careful not to stain your hands or clothing when replacing FINE Cartridges. You can easily wipe off the ink from the inside of the machine with tissue paper or the like.
Do not place any object on the Document Cover. It will fall into the Rear Tray when the Document Cover is opened and cause the machine to malfunction.
If the Document Cover is open, you cannot open the Scanning Unit (Cover). Be sure to lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) with the Document Cover closed.
When opening or closing the Scanning Unit (Cover), do not touch the buttons and LCD on the Operation Panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.
Do not touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the machine.
If the Scanning Unit (Cover) is left open for more than 10 minutes, the FINE Cartridge Holder moves to the right. In this case, close and reopen the Scanning Unit (Cover).

3.Remove the empty FINE Cartridge.

(1) Pinch the tabs and open the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover.

(2) Remove the FINE Cartridge.

Caution

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

4. Prepare the new FINE Cartridge.

(1) Take a new FINE Cartridge out of its package and remove the orange protective tape (D) 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 nozzles on a FINE Cartridge. The machine may not print properly if you touch it.

5. Install the FINE Cartridge.

(1) Put a new FINE Cartridge in the FINE Cartridge Holder.

The Color FINE Cartridge should be installed into the left slot and the Black FINE Cartridge should be installed into the right slot.

(2) Close the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover to lock the FINE Cartridge into place.

Push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(3) Confirm that the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is closed correctly.

Caution

If the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover is not closed correctly, push down the Ink Cartridge Locking Cover until it clicks.

(E) Closed correctly

(F) Not closed correctly (the cover is tilted)

Caution

The machine cannot print unless both the Color and Black FINE Cartridges are installed. Be sure to install both the FINE Cartridges.

6. Lift the Scanning Unit (Cover) slightly to set the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, and gently close the Scanning Unit (Cover).

Caution

When setting the Scanning Unit Support back to its original position, be sure to hold the Scanning Unit (Cover) firmly, and be careful not to get your fingers caught.

Caution

When opening or closing the Scanning Unit (Cover), do not touch the buttons and LCD on the Operation Panel. Doing so may result in an unexpected operation.

Caution

If the error message appears after the Scanning Unit (Cover) is closed, refer to [ An Error Message Is Displayed on the LCD ]
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 printed ruled lines are misaligned or the print head position is misaligned, adjust the print head position. See [ Aligning the Print Head ]
Replace ink cartridge(s)

Cause and solution

The ink may have run out. Replacing the ink cartridge is recommended U162

The ink may have run out.

The function for detecting the remaining ink level will be disabled since the ink level cannot be correctly detected.

If you want to continue printing without this function, press the machine's Stop button for at least 5 seconds.

Canon recommends to use new genuine Canon cartridges in order to obtain optimum qualities.

Please be advised that Canon shall not be liable for any malfunction or trouble caused by continuation of printing under the ink out condition.

Caution

If the function for detecting the remaining ink level is disabled, the ink cartridge in grey is displayed in the remaining ink volume screen on the LCD.

-⋗ [ Checking the Ink Status ]

Since the information contained in the fax may be lost if it is printed in this condition, the received fax will not be printed and will be stored in the machine's memory until the ink cartridge is replaced. You must manually print out faxes that were stored in the memory. You can change the setting so that the received fax is forcibly printed out instead of being stored in the memory, but all or part of the fax information may not be printed because of the ink out condition.

Cause and solution

The Ink has run out. Replace the ink cartridge U163

The ink has run out.

Replace the ink cartridge and close the Scanning Unit (Cover).

If printing is in progress and you want to continue printing, press the machine's Stop button for at least 5 seconds with the ink cartridge installed. Then printing can continue under the ink out condition.

The function for detecting the remaining ink level will be disabled.

Replace the empty ink cartridge immediately after the printing. The resulting print quality is not satisfactory, if printing is continued under the ink out condition.

Caution

If the function for detecting the remaining ink level is disabled, the ink cartridge in grey is displayed in the remaining ink volume screen on the LCD.

-⋗ [ Checking the Ink Status ]

Since the information contained in the fax may be lost if it is printed in this condition, the received fax will not be printed and will be stored in the machine's memory until the ink cartridge is replaced. You must manually print out faxes that were stored in the memory. You can change the setting so that the received fax is forcibly printed out instead of being stored in the memory, but all or part of the fax information may not be printed because of the ink out condition.

Cause and solution

Data of supported types are not saved

There is no image data or document saved on the memory card or USB flash drive that can be read by this machine.
The machine may not recognize the file if the file name or folder path contain certain characters. Use only alphanumeric characters.
Photo data edited or processed on a computer must be printed from the computer.

Caution

When a photo which has been processed on a computer is selected, "?" is displayed on the LCD.

Cause and solution

Cannot print the specified PDF file. The format is not supported or the file is too large

Make sure the PDF file is printable from a memory card or USB flash drive. See [ Printing Documents Saved on a Memory Card/USB Flash Drive ] for more information.

Caution

The names of the PDF files are displayed even though they cannot be printed from the memory card or USB flash drive. It is recommended you confirm whether they are printable. If one of the following conditions applies to the PDF files, they are not printable.

- The [ Details ] screen is not displayed for the PDF file you want to print.

- Characters other than machine name or [ MP Navigator EX ] are displayed on [ Created with ] on the [ Details ] screen.

- "?" is displayed on the preview screen.

Cause and solution

Data edited or processed on a computer must be printed from the computer.

Cause and solution

The specified PDF file contains unprintable data. Some portions may not be printed

PDF file which contain lot of graphics or hi-resolution images may lose that data or stop before printing is completed. In this case, print from the computer.

Cause and solution

The ink absorber is almost full. Press OK to continue printing. Contact the service center

The ink absorber is almost full.

Press the machine's OK button to continue printing. Contact the service center.

Cause and solution

Printer error has occurred. Contact the service center

The machine error has occurred.

Contact the service center.

Cause and solution

Timeout error has occurred. Press OK

Some errors occurred while copying and a certain time passed.

Press the OK button to dismiss the error, and try to copy again.

Cause and solution

Incompatible device detected. Remove the device

Check the device connected to the Direct Print Port. Printing photos directly is possible with a PictBridge compliant device or the optional Bluetooth Unit BU-30, or a USB flash drive.
A communication time out occurs if an operation takes too long or if it takes too much time to send data. This may cancel printing. In such cases, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable. When printing from a PictBridge compliant device, depending on the model or brand of your device, you may have to select a PictBridge compliant print mode on the device before connecting it to the machine. You may also have to turn on your device or select Play mode manually after connecting the device to the machine. Perform necessary operations before connecting your device referring to its instruction manual. If the error is still not resolved, check if you can print another photograph.

Cause and solution

Failed to scan head alignment sheet. Check orientation/position and check that platen/sheet is clean

Scanning the print head alignment sheet has failed.

Press the OK button to dismiss the error, then take the actions described below.

Make sure that the print head alignment sheet is set in the correct position and orientation on the Platen Glass.
Make sure the Platen Glass and the print head alignment sheet are not dirty.
Make sure the type and size of loaded paper is suitable for Automatic Print Head Alignment. For Automatic Print Head Alignment, always load one sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper.
Make sure if Print Head nozzles are clogged. Print the nozzle check pattern to check the status of the Print Head.

-⋗ [ Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern ]

If the error is not resolved, connect the machine to the computer and align the Print Head on the printer driver.

-⋗ [ Manual Print Head Alignment ]

Cause and solution

An unsupported USB hub is connected. Remove the hub

If a PictBridge compliant device is connected via a USB hub, remove the hub and connect it directly to the machine.

Cause and solution

B200 Printer error has occurred. Unplug the power cord and contact the service center

Turn off the machine, and unplug the power cord of the machine from the power supply.

Contact the service center.

Caution

If you disconnect the power plug, all the documents stored in memory are deleted.

Cause and solution

**** Printer error has occurred. Turn off power then back on again. If problem persists, see the manual

"****" is displayed in the alphanumeric character and depends on the error occurred.

5100 is displayed:

Cancel printing, turn off the machine. Then clear the jammed paper or protective material that is preventing the FINE Cartridge Holder from moving, and turn on the machine again.

Caution

Be careful not to touch the components inside the machine. The machine may not print out properly if you touch it.
If the problem is not resolved, contact the service center.

Cause and solution

In other cases:

Turn off the machine, and unplug the power cord of the machine from the power supply.

Plug the machine back in and turn the machine back on.

If the problem is not resolved, contact the service center.

Caution

If you disconnect the power plug, all the faxes stored in the machine's memory are deleted.

Cause and solution

Document in ADF. Check document in ADF, then press OK and redo operation

The document is jammed in the ADF. Remove the document page jammed in the ADF, then press the OK button. Operate again after resolving the error.

Cause and solution

Document size is too long. Check document in ADF, then press OK and redo operation

The document is too long or is jammed in the ADF.

Remove the document page jammed in the ADF, then press the OK button. After resolving the error, make sure that the document you are loading meets the machine's requirements before redoing the operation.

Cause and solution

Check the page size and press OK

Paper other than A4, Letter, or Legal-sized paper or 8.5 x 14 inches paper is loaded.

Load A4, Letter, or Legal-sized paper or 8.5 x 14 inches paper.

Cause and solution

Paper output tray is closed. Open the paper output tray and press OK

Open the Paper Output Tray, then press the OK button.

Cause and solution

The card is currently writable from PC. Set to [Not writable from PC]

The Card Slot is set to [ Writable from USB PC ] or [ Writable from LAN PC ].

You cannot print from the memory card or save the scanned data to the memory card when the Card Slot is set to [ Writable from USB PC ] or [ Writable from LAN PC ]. After writing on the memory card, select [ Not writable from PC ] in [ Read/write attribute ] under [ Device user settings ].

Cause and solution

Power was not turned off correctly the last time. Press the ON button when turning power off

The power cord may have been unplugged last while the machine was still on.

Press the OK button to dismiss the error.

Cause and solution

The power cord has been unplugged and unsent/received docs in memory has been lost. Load paper and press the OK to print a list of the lost docs

A power failure has occurred or the power cord has been unplugged when the faxes are stored in the machine's memory.

Caution

If a power failure occurs or you unplug the power cord, all faxes stored in the machine's memory are deleted.

Cause and solution

Press the OK button.

After pressing the OK button, the list of the faxes deleted from the machine's memory will be printed.

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