Canon i550 won't print black

[bevinb]

Greeetings, I have searched the group and can't find the answer.
My Canon i550, which has never been used much, suddenly won't print
black.. Since it had not been used a while I assumed a clogged print
head. I did the head cleaning several times, the deep cleaing -
nothing. I got a new ink cartridge - nothing. It prints in color fine.
What could the problem be?

Thanks, Bevin B.

 

[Adriatic]

As you assumed in the first place, it is clogged



Solution?



Buy a new head, new printer or send inkjet head somewhere for professional
cleaning.

 

[Doc]

Did you recently install an ink cartridge? You might have broken off
the pin that inserts into the cartridge. Carefully remove and check,
you can use the color side of the print head as a reference point.
Other than that, it is a new print head or printer, per Adriatic's
suggestion.

 

[Burt]

If the print head is clogged and you are being advised to buy a new print
head or have it professionally cleaned you will spend more for either of
these remedies than the printer is worth at this point. Go on to the
Nifty-Stuff forum at the following address -
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/ - and look up the threads on cleaning a
print head. Clogs can often be cleaned at home with simple techniques and
it is worthwhile to try if you still want to use the printer. The cleaning
cycles work for some problems buy after running two or three with no results
you need to move on to other techniques.

The most important lesson for preventing clogs in inkjet printers is to use
them often. You might like to read Neil Slade's info at
http://www.neilslade.com/papers/inkjetstuff.html . Mostly directed to
Canon owners and aftermarket inks.

 

[measekite]

If the print head is clogged and you are being advised to buy a new print
head or have it professionally cleaned you will spend more for either of
these remedies than the printer is worth at this point. Go on to the
Nifty-Stuff forum at the following address -
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/ - and look up the threads on cleaning a
print head. Clogs can often be cleaned at home with simple techniques and
it is worthwhile to try if you still want to use the printer. The cleaning
cycles work for some problems buy after running two or three with no results
you need to move on to other techniques.

The most important lesson for preventing clogs in inkjet printers is to use
them often with OEM. You might like to read Neil Slade's info at
http://www.neilslade.com/papers/inkjetstuff.html . Mostly directed to
Canon owners and aftermarket inks.

 

[Burt]

 

[measekite]

 

[Larry]

If the print head is clogged and you are being advised to buy a new print
head or have it professionally cleaned you will spend more for either of
these remedies than the printer is worth at this point. Go on to the
Nifty-Stuff forum at the following address -
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/ - and look up the threads on cleaning a
print head. Clogs can often be cleaned at home with simple techniques and
it is worthwhile to try if you still want to use the printer. The cleaning
cycles work for some problems buy after running two or three with no results
you need to move on to other techniques.

The most important lesson for preventing clogs in inkjet printers is to use
them often. You might like to read Neil Slade's info at
http://www.neilslade.com/papers/inkjetstuff.html . Mostly directed to
Canon owners and aftermarket inks.

When the print head clogs on any of my Canon printers:

2 i960
1 i950
2 ip4000

I use the following technique.

Mix a solution of 20% household Ammonia (non detergent) and 80% distilled
water.

Fill an eye dropper with the solution.

Remove the cartridge or cartridges for the color that is clogged.

Drip a drop or two of the solution onto the intake for the printhead DO NOT
ALLOW THE DROPPER TO TOUCH THE INTAKE SCREEN!

Right away, replace the cartridges and run a deep cleaning cycle on the
printer.

Do it a second time if needed. In two years time I have only needed a second
application once.

 

[Bill]

Greeetings, I have searched the group and can't find the answer.
My Canon i550, which has never been used much, suddenly won't print
black.. Since it had not been used a while I assumed a clogged print
head. I did the head cleaning several times, the deep cleaing -
nothing. I got a new ink cartridge - nothing. It prints in color fine.
What could the problem be?

My Canon i850 did the same thing...all of the black nozzles apparently
"clogged" at the same time, which is highly improbable. When I contacted
Canon, they told me the black portion of the printhead was dead. It
seems there are two circuits for the colour and black portions of the
printhead.

Normally, you will get a few nozzles that clog, and a head cleaning will
usually clear it. If a lot of them clog, a more intensive cleaning may
be needed. But if ALL of them clog at once, the head is likely dead.

 

[Michael Grey]

I have a brand new Canon I550 printhead if needed.
Try the cleaning first and if not email me.

 

[Taliesyn]

Greeetings, I have searched the group and can't find the answer.
My Canon i550, which has never been used much, suddenly won't print
black.. Since it had not been used a while I assumed a clogged print
head. I did the head cleaning several times, the deep cleaing -
nothing. I got a new ink cartridge - nothing. It prints in color fine.
What could the problem be?

A friend of mine had a similar problem just recently. Cleanings and
deep cleanings did nothing. As a last resort we removed the printhead
assembly and soaked the bottom of the printhead (only) in about 1/4 inch
of window cleaner (Windex) in a saucer, changing the liquid frequently
as the ink ran out. And LOTS of ink flowed out. Then we ran more Windex
through the intake screens until no trace of ink remained in the system
and the Window cleaner remained clean. We lightly dried it, wrapped a
paper towel around it and swung it hard to remove any remaining liquid.
5 minutes later we reinstalled it and did a couple of primes (clean
printhead function). A nozzle check revealed we could celebrate with
a High Five, the mark of success.

How come it clogged? Like you mentioned with yours, it hadn't been used
in a while. Naturally, I can't guarantee a High Five, but the cleaning
worked on this particular printhead.

-Taliesyn