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.

YouTube Videos: How to Maintain and Operate a Canon Inkjet Printer

In addition to the Nozzle Check video uploaded to YouTube yesterday, LexJet recently released a series of instructional videos covering other maintenance and operational procedures for Canon inkjet printers.

Go to www.youtube.com/lexjet to access the LexJet channel, then click on Education at the top right of the page to access all the Canon printer videos. Or, you can click here to go directly to the full menu.

The new slate of videos includes:

  • Loading media on a Canon inkjet printer (Canon Loading Media)
  • Using Canon’s feed and cut features (Canon Feed and Cut)
  • Removing and replacing ink on a Canon inkjet printer (Canon removing and replacing ink)
  • Replacing the maintenance tank on a Canon inkjet printer (Canon Replacing Maintenance tank)
  • Unloading a roll of media from a Canon inkjet printer (Canon Unloading a roll)

Check back regularly for more educational videos from LexJet, including instructions for other inkjet printers as well as production tips and tricks. If you have any suggestions or need help with a particular topic, let us know so we can include it in our expanding library.

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.