Aligning the Print Head
20-May-2008
8200183100
Solution
If ruled lines are printed misaligned, adjust the Print Head position.
Print head alignment is performed automatically. However, you can align the Print Head manually, if the results of automatic print head alignment are not satisfactory.
For automatic print head alignment, follow the procedure below.
NOTE
- Automatic print head alignment cannot be performed from the Front Tray. Always load paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
- Ensure that the Inner Cover is closed.
Aligning the Print Head Without a Computer
- The Print Head can also be aligned from the printer itself. If the printer driver is not installed in the computer, align the print head in this way.
in the computer, align the print head in this way.
1. With the printer on, load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
2. Gently press the 
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.3. Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the POWER lamp flashes blue four times, and then release it immediately. Two pattern sheets are printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
1. With the printer on, load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto
Sheet Feeder.
IMPORTANT
If other than A4 or Letter-sized paper is loaded, you cannot print the print head alignment patterns. Be sure to use A4 or Letter-sized plain paper.
2. Gently press the 
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.3. Open the printer properties dialog box.
4. Print the pattern.
(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click Print Head Alignment.
Two pattern sheets are printed. It takes about seven minutes to finish printing. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
Print head alignment is automatically adjusted by printing the patterns. The printer is now ready to use.
NOTE
- If the patterns are not printed successfully, see “The ALARM Lamp Flashes Orange”.
- If results of Automatic Print Head Alignment are not satisfactory, see "Manual Print Head Alignment" and align the Print Head manually.
- Clicking Check Setting prints the current settings and finishes the print head alignment.
- Two different patterns other than the ones shown above may be printed if you align the Print Head automatically for the first time after installing the printer driver.
1. With the printer on, load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto
Sheet Feeder.
IMPORTANT
If other than A4 or Letter-sized paper is loaded, you cannot print the print head alignment patterns. Be sure to use A4 or Letter-sized plain paper.
2. Gently press the 
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.3. Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility dialog box.
4. Print the pattern.
(1) Select Test Print from the pop-up menu.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click Print Head Alignment.
Two pattern sheets are printed. It takes about seven minutes to finish printing. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
Print head alignment is automatically adjusted by printing the patterns. The printer is now ready to use.
NOTE
- If the patterns are not printed successfully, see "The ALARM Lamp Flashes Orange".
- Clicking Check Setting prints the current settings and finishes the print head alignment.
- Two different patterns other than the ones shown above may be printed if you align the Print Head automatically for the first time after installing the printer driver.
If the results of automatic print head alignment are not satisfactory, follow the procedure below to perform manual print head alignment to precisely align the Print Head.
NOTE
- Print head alignment cannot be performed from the Front Tray. Always load paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
- Ensure that the Inner Cover is closed.
1. With the printer on, load three sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
NOTE
If other than A4 or Letter-sized paper is loaded, you cannot print the print head alignment patterns. Be sure to use A4 or Letter-sized plain paper.
2. Gently press the 
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.3. Open the printer properties dialog box.
4. Click the Maintenance tab and click Custom Settings.
5. Select the Align heads manually check box, and then click Send.
6. When the confirmation message is displayed, click OK.
7. Print the pattern.
(1) Click Print Head Alignment in the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.
A pattern sheet is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
NOTE
Clicking Check Setting prints the current settings and finishes the print head alignment.
(3) After the pattern is printed, click Yes.
8. Align the Print Head.
(1) Look at the printout. From the patterns, select the patterns with the least amount of streaking and enter their numbers.
NOTE
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern each from Columns 1J and 1K, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white stripes.
(2) Click OK.
(3) Ensure that paper is loaded in the Auto Sheet Feeder, and then click OK.
A pattern sheet is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
(4) In the same way, select the best patterns for each column, enter their numbers, then click OK.
(5) Ensure that paper is loaded in the Auto Sheet Feeder, and then click OK.
A pattern sheet is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
(6) In the same way, select the best patterns for each column, enter their numbers, then click OK.
9. When the confirmation message is displayed, click OK.
NOTE
When turning off the power to the printer, be sure to press the POWER button on the printer. Otherwise, the settings made here will not be saved.
1. With the printer on, load three sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
IMPORTANT
If other than A4 or Letter-sized paper is loaded, you cannot print the print head alignment patterns. Be sure to use A4 or Letter-sized plain paper.
2. Gently press the 
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.
mark on the Front Tray to open the Front Tray, then pull out the Front Tray Extension.3. Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility dialog box.
4. Print the pattern.
(1) Select Custom Settings from the pop-up menu.
(2) Select the Align heads manually check box, and then click Send.
(3) When the confirmation message is displayed, click OK.
(4) Select Test Print from the pop-up menu.
(5) Click Print Head Alignment.
5. When the confirmation message is displayed, click Print Head Alignment.
A pattern sheet is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
Clicking Check Setting prints the current settings and finishes the print head alignment.
6. Align the Print Head.
(1) Look at the printout. From the patterns, select the patterns with the least amount of streaking and enter their numbers.
NOTE
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern each from Columns 1J and 1K, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white stripes.
(2) Click Send.
(3) Ensure that paper is loaded in the Auto Sheet Feeder, and then click OK.
A pattern sheet is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
(4) In the same way, select the best patterns for each column and enter their numbers.
(5) Click Send.
(6) Ensure that paper is loaded in the Auto Sheet Feeder, and then click OK.
A pattern sheet is printed. Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
(7) In the same way, select the best patterns for each column and enter their numbers.
(8) Click Send.
NOTE
When turning off the power to the printer, be sure to press the POWER button on the printer. Otherwise, the settings made here will not be saved.