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General discussion

How do I get a Canon Printer to print black ink?

Sep 23, 2004 11:13AM PDT

A friend has a Canon Printer C50I and it prints all but black. She just bought a new black ink cartridge and it still does not print. We have run the alignment checks and everything prints except black.

I'm unable to find anything in the options where I must turn on the black ink ---- any ideas?

Does someone have a link to a forum on Canon printers? I've been looking under google and find everything but printers.

I would appreciate any help you could give me please.

Thank you - Julea

Discussion is locked

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Try this...
Sep 23, 2004 12:10PM PDT

Look in the manual and see if the printer has a SELF TEST FUNCTION. Many printers can do this without a PC attached and it answers if the printer is working... or needs replacement.

Bob

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(NT) (NT) Thanks Bob -- I'll give that a try.
Sep 23, 2004 1:52PM PDT
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Tape, perhaps?
Sep 24, 2004 4:10AM PDT

Now this is something I am sure you already checked for, but on the small chance you didn't, and I admit I have missed it at least once myself,...

Is there perhaps some small tape, or some "shipping" covering over the ink supply holes or jets of the cartridge?

Just a possibility, and easy to forget to check for. Wink

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Re: How do I get a Canon Printer to print black ink?
Sep 30, 2004 9:36PM PDT

Go to usa.canon.com. Click on Support. Click on Customer. Send them a message.

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Re: How do I get a Canon Printer to print black ink?
Oct 1, 2004 12:25PM PDT

I have trouble with black ink and Cannon printers also. I was told by the vendor to take black cartridge out of the printer and soak it for 10 minutes in a bowl of warm water. Dry off, reinsert, and you should have no trouble henceforth. Sometimes the ink gets jammed in shipping or whatever.

It really works!

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Re: "Dead Head"
Oct 19, 2004 9:59AM PDT

That happened to my Canon S520. They told me the black printer head burned out and I ended up buying a new printer.

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Re:
Oct 22, 2004 4:24AM PDT

Indeed, it can be:
The print head needing cleaning or replacing.
The ink cartridge not good or not installed correctly (tape, no click).
The printer electronics.

Buying a new print head is cheaper than buying a new printer.

Kees