INK TANK – The print heads are not integrated into the cartridge, do NOT perform the paper towel method.  The print heads are a separate, replaceable, maintenance item.

The PGI-250XL Black is pigment based ink, the CLI-251XL colors including the photo black and grey are dye based ink.  The PGI-250XL is physically thicker than the color cartridges.

 

These are compatible cartridges so there will be some appearance differences.  These differences will not affect the function of the cartridge.  There are six colors in this series.

 

Not Recognizing

 

Verify you have the correct cartridges for your specific printer model.

 

These cartridges use a smart chip located on the bottom of the cartridge.  You can double check to make sure the chip is present.  If the cartridge is not reading correctly, the best thing to do is remove the cartridge from the printer, disconnect the power cord to the printer for 10-15 seconds, reconnect the power, and then reinstall the cartridge.

 

Verify the correct color is being installed into the correct color slot.

 

To remove and install the cartridges in a Canon iP7220 printer do the following;

–          Make sure the printer is turned on.  Press the open button (A) to open the paper output tray.  Open the top cover.  The printhead holder moves to the replacement position.

 

–          Push the tab (B) and lift the ink tank of the color you are removing.

 

–          Make sure you have the correct color cartridge for the color you are replacing.  Insert the front of the ink tank into the printhead at a slant.

 

–          Press on the top of the ink tank until the ink tank snaps firmly into place.

 

–          When properly installed, a red light will come on.  On the OEM cartridges the red light appears on the cartridge, with the LD cartridges there is no clear plastic optic on the cartridge however you will be able to see the red light at the base of the cartridge.

 

–          Close the top cover.

 

Print Quality Issues

 

There is a pull tape seal on the top of the cartridge which must be removed.  This opens a vent hole on the top of the cartridge to allow the ink to properly drain from the cartridge.

 

To help identify print quality issues the nozzle check pattern should be printed.  To do this, do the following;

–          Make sure that the printer is turned on.

–          Make sure that paper is loaded into the printer.

–          Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the power lamp flashes white twice, then release it immediately.  The nozzle check pattern will print.

–          Look at the printed nozzle check pattern.  Check if there are missing lines in the pattern (1) or horizontal white streaks in the pattern (2).  The check pattern will also tell you how many pages have been printed so far using the ink cartridges (A).

 

Most print quality issues will be resolved by running a printhead cleaning.  To run the printhead cleaning do the following;

–          Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the power lamp flashes white ONCE, then release it immediately.

–          The cleaning process will begin, once finished the power light will stop flashing.

 

It may be necessary to run the cleaning twice.  If after two cleanings the issue still hasn’t been resolved there is a deep clean that can be done only through the computer.  To run this deep cleaning do the following;

–          In Windows 7, select the Start menu then Devices and Printers.

–          Right-click on the printer model icon and then select Printing Preferences from the displayed menu.

–          Click the Maintenance tab.

–          Click Deep Cleaning.  You can select whether to run the deep cleaning on the black, colors, or both.

–          Once you select what is going to be cleaned, click Execute then OK.  The deep cleaning will begin.

 

Sometimes tapping the cartridge on a hard surface can help get the ink flowing.  Using a paper towel, cover the bottom nozzle and tap the cartridge on a hard surface.  There is a sponge on one side of the cartridge which feeds ink into a felt pad on the bottom of the cartridge.  Ink comes from one side of the cartridge through a series of small channels into the sponge.  Try to make it so that there are no bubbles in the small channels visible in the center of the cartridge.

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify you have the correct cartridge for your specific printer model.

 

There is an orange plastic protective clip on the bottom of the cartridge which must be removed prior to installation.

 

Verify the cartridge is being installed into the correct color slot in the print head.  Check the cartridge itself for physical damage.