INK TANK – THESE CARTRIDGES DO NOT HAVE THE PRINT HEADS INTEGRATED.  DO NOT DO THE PAPER TOWEL METHOD ON THESE.  THESE ARE DYE BASED INK.

These are compatible cartridges and may differ greatly in appearance to the OEM versions.  This will not affect the function.

 

Not Recognizing

 

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

 

There is an orange clip that must be removed prior to installation.  If it is not removed the cartridge will not fit properly and the smart chip will not make proper contact with the printer sensor.  Be careful not to squeeze the sides of the cartridge while removing the orange clip.

 

There is a smart chip on the tab side of the cartridge.  Check the chip for damage or debris.  A Q-tip can be used to gently clean the gold contacts.

 

The smart chip is located on what looks like a removable clear plastic clip.  Make sure that this clear clip is NOT removed from the cartridge.  If the clear clip which contains the chip is separated, clip it back onto the cartridge.

 

Verify they are installing the correct color cartridge into the correct color slot.  The color order will vary in the printers that use these cartridges so you can confirm with the User’s Manual for the specific printer. Make sure the cartridge is fully clicked down.  Push on the top of the cartridge to verify it is fully down.

 

To remove and install the cartridges into a Canon MX860 printer do the following;

NOTE:  Other Canon printers that use this cartridge series will be a similar process.  For detailed instructions for a specific printer model refer to the User’s Guide for the printer which is available on Canon’s website.

–          Lift the printer cover, then hold it open using the built in stand.

 

–          Replace the ink tank with the red lamp that’s flashing fast.  Push the tab and lift the ink tank to remove it.

 

–          Insert the front end of the new ink tank into the print head at a slant.  Make sure the correct color is being installed into the correct color slot.

 

–          Push on the top of the ink tank until the ink tank snaps firmly into place.  Our cartridges will NOT light up.  On OEM cartridges a solid red light shows when the cartridge is installed, this will NOT happen with our cartridges.  This will not affect the ink level being displayed properly or the function of the cartridge.

 

–          Lift the printer cover slightly to set the stand back into its original position, and gently close the printer cover.  The printer will then charge the new ink.

 

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 determine which color(s) may not printing correctly run a nozzle check pattern.  To this on the MX860 do the following;

NOTE:  The process to access the nozzle check pattern may be different for other Canon printer models that use these cartridges.  Refer to the User’s Guide for the particular printer model available on Canon’s website for detailed instructions.

–          Be sure plain white paper is loaded into the printer.

–          Press the Menu button.

–          Use the ◄ or ► button to select Settings, then press the OK button.

–          Use the ◄ or ► button to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.

–          Use the ▲ or ▼ button to select Nozzle Check, then press the OK button.

 

–          Use the ▲ or ▼ button to select Yes, then press the  OK button.  The nozzle check pattern page will print.

–          Look at the printed nozzle check pattern page.  The left column will list the color that the corresponding pattern goes with.  Check the patterns for missing lines or faded prints and try to narrow it down to which color cartridge is particular is causing the issue.

 

–          If print quality issues are noticed in the patterns then a print head cleaning will need to be performed.

 

To perform a print head cleaning on the Canon MX860 printer do the following;

NOTE:  The process to access the print head cleaning may be different for other Canon printer models that use these cartridges.  Refer to the User’s Guide for the particular printer model available on Canon’s website for detailed instructions.

–          Make sure there is plain white paper loaded into the printer.

–          Press the Menu button.

–          Use the ◄ or ► button to select Settings, then press the OK button.

–          Use the ◄ or ► button to select Maintenance, then press the OK button.

–          Use the ▲ or ▼ button to select Deep Cleaning, then press the OK button.

 

–          Use the ▲ or ▼ button to select Yes, then press the OK button.  The cleaning will begin and will take about 2 minutes to complete.

 

If the first cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue, run a second deep cycle cleaning but allow the printer to sit for 5 minutes after the cleaning finishes before printing to allow the ink to soak and soften any dried ink on the print head.  Print head cleaning does consume ink so it should be done sparingly.

 

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.  Be sure that the orange protective clip has been removed, however the clear clip on the bottom of the cartridge is NOT removed.  Verify the cartridge is being installed into the correct color slot in the print head.  Check the cartridge itself for physical damage.