Problem with black ink on Canon printer?
Problem with black ink on Canon printer?
Hi all,
I'm experiencing a strange problem with my Canon TR8600 Series printer. It began about two weeks ago. When I attempt to print from a PDF or scan a Venmo QR code, the black ink appears very faint or completely missing. I've changed both ink tanks twice and they still show as full. However, when I capture the document and right-click the JPG file, it prints correctly. Could anyone suggest what might be causing this issue? I've also updated the driver and run the printer's maintenance options, but the problem persists.
I use Windows 11 Pro with 32 gigabytes of RAM, an RTX 2080ti GPU, and all Gen4 SSD drives. Printing from within any app I'm viewing the file in works fine. I've experimented with various printing methods, including sending print jobs directly from my Samsung S24U phone. However, black ink consistently fails to print. The only successful prints occur when using a JPG screenshot that opens the built-in Windows print option.
I lack access to this printer, so I rely on the features others use. Your notes indicate the printer might not be configured to utilize the deepest black ink. In a previous Canon model with five ink cartridges (which you likely have), there were three standard colours—Cyan, Magenta, Yellow—and one dye-based Black for colour output, plus a bigger pigment-based Black for very dark text. Possibly, at some point the printer identified an issue with the larger Pigment Black tank and switched to a backup mode that only uses the lighter dye-based Black ink. You may need to explore the details of print job configurations and revert to a standard profile. In your present printers, each device offers an option in its job settings to print in full colour or black exclusively, which I frequently choose based on the task. The drive system handles this differently, offering several pre-set profiles for various jobs, with ink selection controlled within each type. Refer to your manual, page 174. Begin by examining the Page Setup tab and the Print Options menu. Remember that the second-last line allows you to specify ink types, and confirm it’s set to “All Colours” for most jobs. Also, check p. 177 for guidance on adjusting individual ink tank usage per profile. Confirm that the PGBK tank is correctly assigned for documents containing black text on the page.**
None of these attempts succeeded. I went further by resetting the printer completely and updating its firmware. The problem isn't limited to Windows settings. When attempting to print a text pattern directly from the printer to check alignment, the pattern still doesn't appear. No black ink from Page Black is being used on any page. I've sent print commands from various devices—desktop, laptop, phone—and none work. The ink hasn't faded and isn't present at all. I've also switched three new ink tanks, but they're not helping. I'm considering giving up and replacing it with something else. It's only been a year.
Attempt this method using only the printer menu system (no computer utilities). Print the Nozzle Check and full-page test pages. You should notice two distinct black groups—one from the basic Black and another from the PGBK cartridges. If both appear, the printer head and ink tanks are functioning properly. The issue likely lies within the printer driver software on your computer.
If the PGBK still fails to print during these tests, the print head is likely blocked by ink. The print head is independent of the ink tanks and can be removed and replaced. You might be able to clean it instead of replacing it. Refer to this support page for removal and replacement instructions: https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?p...=ART180517
Try this approach first. Remove the head as described, rinse it gently with cool water over the jets, then place a wet paper towel on a flat surface. Position the head jets on the towel and let them soak for several hours to a day. After rinsing, dry thoroughly by blotting and air-drying. Avoid heat; simply let it air out. Once fully dry, reinstall the head in your printer, restore all ink tanks, and close the device. Use the Head Clean tool from the printer menu or even the Deep Clean option, then verify nozzle performance. This step might help loosen any dried ink in the nozzles, making it easier to flush them out during cleaning.
If this does not resolve the problem, you’ll need a new print head. I’ve had mixed outcomes with this method on an older Canon printer. It seems you can’t obtain a brand-new head directly from Canon. However, refurbished units are available on sites like eBay or from ink tank sellers. Occasionally, you might find a unit labeled as new and unused. Initially, some worked but later failed. Eventually, no head functioned properly, prompting the decision to replace the printer. Unfortunately, it was still a good machine! But this experience led me to color laser printers that perform reliably without frequent clogs.