How to Perform a Head Cleaning on a Canon Inkjet Printer

A couple of days ago we posted a video that shows how to do a nozzle check on a Canon large format inkjet printer, which is the same process for the Canon iPF5100, iPF6100, iPF8000S, iPF9000S and iPF9100 printers.

As mentioned in the previous post, we promised a follow-up video showing how to perform a head cleaning on the Canon printers, which is the next step if you identify a problem with the nozzle check. It’s important to note that you should only perform a head cleaning if you find an issue through the nozzle check; a head cleaning should always be preceded by a nozzle check.

After you perform a head cleaning, always follow up with a nozzle check to make sure it worked. If it didn’t, repeat the process. If you go through the nozzle check/head cleaning process about five or six times there’s likely something else wrong. However, this is very unusual and the printer will almost always let you know if the printheads need to be replaced (click here to see the video on how to replace printheads).

Most of the processes detailed in the videos, including the nozzle check and head cleaning, are not quite the same for the latest generation of Canon printers – the iPF6300, iPF6350 and the iPF8300. They use the same menu options, but the path to get there is slightly different. We’re working on these and will let you know when they’re available.

If you have any questions or need help troubleshooting anything, give us a call.

How to do a Nozzle Check on a Canon Inkjet Printer

If you’ve experienced horizontal banding or a color shift in your inkjet prints, it’s likely there’s a clogged printhead nozzle. Here’s a step by step video that shows the quickest way to perform a nozzle check on a Canon large format inkjet printer to determine if you have a clogged nozzle. The nozzle check is the first step in the troubleshooting process for banding and color shift.

The nozzle check will print a grid. Any breaks in the pattern usually indicate a clogged nozzle. If you find that there is one, the next step is to perform a head cleaning (video to come soon). Then, check your results after a head cleaning with another nozzle check just to be sure it worked.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538.