....and I'm not sure how to fix it.


Currently I'm on my MacBook Pro running 10.6.2, and I have a Canon MP520 printer hooked up to the laptop through a USB hub. I've been having problems lately with it

1) Not printing certain colors at all or correctly (at the time I didn't know which one(s) )

and

2) It printing documents out of alignment


When I printed a test page through the printer system preferences, it printed just fine. However when I go to print something from any application (i.e. Word, Safari) it doesn't print black ink despite the black cartridge being full. Also, documents (text, pictures, graphics) typically have alignment issues at least twice throughout each page. Generally more than that though.

I haven't done it today, but I've tried running alignment fixes through system preferences, and it seems to do nothing for me. And I have absolutely no idea why black isn't wanting to print.



Any ideas?

 

Reinstall?

 

Get a PC.

www.hiyoooo.com

Sorry don't know jack about fixin' Macs.

 

Didn't work...

 

Hmm, actually, what happens when you try to make color copies?(Test printer itself)

 

Hmmm....something I didn't notice (or pay attention to)

I'm thinking it may not be printing black at all.


I printed a page from azine, and it printed the top bars as well as all the thread titles and such, but it's the same color as on the test page. It's really dark, but I'm thinking it may not be actual black, rather a combination of the other colors to conform to the exact color it really is?

 

Do you still have the problem when you directly connect the printer to your computer?

 

Very possible. If a black isn't true black, the printer will mix colors to compensate for this.

 

The first thing I'd try, if it turns out that it's not printing black, is another black cartridge. Even though it's full, or you think it's full, it could be clogged or the printer could be lying to you on its ink level.

 

By default, since my printer has separate cartridges for each color, it automatically prints color when there is color unless I go in and tell it not to. And it prints color....just not....black.

 

Just tried it.
Same result.

Well I know for a fact it's not empty. The cartridges this printer takes are clear and you can see whether or not they are empty. I doubt it's clogged either. At least not the cartridge itself. The "outlet" for the cartridge is a foam/sponge like material, and when I took the cartridge out, I could clearly see the foam material saturated, and to make sure, I gently poked it with a head of a retracted pen, and ink seeped.

Only other thing I can think of is it's possibly clogged in the printer itself and not the cartridge?


Still wouldn't solve my alignment problem though.
Lemme see if I can find a cleaning process through preferences....

 

Whoops, that's what I meant to say, try a black and white copy.

 

Well I did find out how to pull out the actual print head unit from the printer, and needless to say, it was pretty nasty. The black was definitely all up everything in it with cake on crap.


After a through wiping/cleaning it with tissue paper though, it's still not printing black. It's running through a "deep cleaning" in the printer right now, but I'm not expecting much afterwards.

 

New driver?

 

This may be a longshot, but could it possibly have to do with the quality of the refill? In the past, I've gotten "new" cartridges from Cartridge World. Maybe I should just buy ones that are truly new from an office supply?

 

I've never had any luck with refills or non OEM stuff for printers.

 

When it comes to inkjet printers, I've always purchased OEM ink.

 

I generally buy my ink of Ebay... I've never had a problem with it (leaks, etc.)

May just be the luck of the draw... but yes, with OEM, you're paying for it, but you can bet it'll do what it's made to.

 

print head may need to be changed/cleaned

 

Buy OEM cartridges, those refill ones aren't very reliable for the most part.

 

Well, just went out and bought an OEM cartridge, and that wasn't the problem.

 

Time to get a new printer?

 

Well....I thought "Oh, I'll just replace the print head"


The f'ing print head is $100....that's how much I paid for the damn printer. And that was only about 2 years ago.


So yea.
Time for a new printer.
I'm getting a laser one.

 

I like laser printers.

 

Me too.
Just picked one up.
Got one that was on sale at Best Buy for $69


Brother HL-2140


I went back and forth between whether or not I wanted scanner/copy capability (which my previous printer did), duplex printing (which would be REALLY nice for school powerpoint printouts), color (...expensive with laser printers though).

Just ended up getting a pretty basic printer, and I'm actually happy. I looked at laser printers at a few different stores last night for about 2-3 hours, and almost every printer I looked at lacked one thing I would've found convenient if had paid a little more. Lacked color capability, or lacked duplex printing, or it lacked a scanner/copier, or it was really slow....

I probably would've had to spend $400-450 to get a laser printer that had all of that. So instead of "compromising" and still spending more, I just went basic. Can't go wrong for $69. It has a small footprint and great reviews, so it should work out.

 

That's a great little laser for the price. I bought a HL-1440 a few years back (geez must be 5 years now) and have been happy with it.

 

My g/f's roommate bought the exact same one. I really like it. Prints out my crosswords fast.

 

"COME ON DAMMIT!!! I NEED MY CROSSWORD!!!"

You're gonna be grumpy when you're old aren't you??

 

My dream is to have a house with a porch that I can yell at kids from while drinking beer.