Print Head Alignment

Sounds like the print head needs alignment. If an "auto" alignment can't or won't be run, somewhere in the maintenance section of your printer driver software should be an operation for running a print head alignment and doing adjustments to get the printer aligned for clear printing. First you should check the maintenance program for "head cleaning" and run a couple of head cleaning cycles to see if a clogged head is the problem...

sounds like you replaced the black cartridge, do you run the "align print head" on the printer. Sounds like the black is not aligned to the printer input.

do the print head alignment... to do this..first switch OFF the printer and then load paper, press the Pause button while switching ON the printer.. the printer will then print the instruction for you to align the print head. Just follow the instruction and select the best printed line.

If when you print text or line, and you notice there is some part missing, this show that you print head have broken pins. If this happen, you will have to replace the print head.

try doing head alignment, this feature is located under the printer properties... goto Start, then Setting, then Printer and faxes, and point to the printer model, right click and select Properties... then select Maintenance and from there, you can clean head and head alignment... print the alignment sheet and select the best straight line.. that should help.

Run the alignment in the maintenance software. Each new print head must be aligned.
Possibly release and remove the print cartridge and reinsert it. Maybe it is skewed.

Hi there, Aligning the Print Head

If ruled lines are misaligned or a printout is unsatisfactory,Print Head Alignment is required.

Steps for Aligning the Print Head.
1) Press [Menu] repeatedly until [Maintenance] appears.
2) Press [Maintenance] repeatedly until <P> appears.

3) Press [Black] or [Color].
The machine print the head alignment sheet.

4) Beginning from column A on the printout, enter checkmarks in the patterns that have the most solid image.

5) Load the checked sheet on the Platen Glass.
When loading the checked sheet, place the front side down, and align the upper left corner of the sheet with the alignment mark on the lower right corner of the Platen Glass.

6) Press [Maintenance] repeatedly until <U> appears,

7) Press [Black] or [Color].
The machine scans the pattern and aligns the Print Head automatically.
Note : If you select <L>in step 2, the machine prints the current Print Head Alignment setting.

Hope this help.
Have a good day.

Here's the solution from Canon USA:

Issue: Banded or streaked prints
Solution: Print Head Alignment MP530

Perform Print Head Alignment Instructions to perform a Print Head Alignment directly from the machine. If diagrams or ruled lines are misaligned, print head alignment is required. The print head alignment can be performed automatically or manually. If the automatic print head alignment does not work, adjust the print head manually. Automatic Print Head Alignment

1. Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.
   
   
2. Load a few sheets of letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder.
   
   
3. Press the Open button to open the Paper Output Tray. Then open up and set the extension by pressing down the hollow on the front side.
   
   
4. Execute automatic print head alignment.
   
5. 1. Press <COPY> button.
      
   2. Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].
      
   3. Press the left or right cursor to select [AUTO HEAD ALIGN], then press the <OK>. (A pattern is printed and the print head is automatically aligned. It takes about five minutes to finish printing the pattern.)
      
      
      
      

Manual print head alignment

1. Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.
   
   
2. Load two sheets of Letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder or cassette.
   
   
3. Ensure that the proper paper source is selected.
   
   
4. Execute manual print head alignment.
   
5. 1. Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].
      
   2. Press the left or right cursor to select [ALIGN PRINT HEAD], then press the <OK>. (The nozzle check pattern is printed.)
      
      
6. Check the printed patterns and use the left or right arrow to input the number of the pattern in column A that has the least noticeable streaks.
   
   
   
   
7. Press <OK> to move the cursor to column B, and then use the left or right arrow to input the number of the pattern that has the least noticeable streaks.
   
   
8. Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column P.
   
   
   
   
9. When you have finished inputting all pattern numbers, press <OK>.
   
   Note: For columns A through N select the patterns with the least visible vertical streaks. For columns O and P select the patterns with the fewest visible horizontal streaks.
   
   
   
   <1> Example of the pattern with the fewest visible vertical streak
   
   <2> Example of the pattern with the most visible vertical streak
   
   
   
   <1> Example of the pattern with the fewest visible horizontal streak
   
   <2> Example of the pattern with the most visible horizontal streak
   

Hope this helps - fotobean

Here's a solution from Canon USA:

Issue: Banded or streaked prints
Solution: Print Head Alignment MP530

Perform Print Head Alignment Instructions to perform a Print Head Alignment directly from the machine. If diagrams or ruled lines are misaligned, print head alignment is required. The print head alignment can be performed automatically or manually. If the automatic print head alignment does not work, adjust the print head manually. Automatic Print Head Alignment

1. Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.
   
   
2. Load a few sheets of letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder.
   
   
3. Press the Open button to open the Paper Output Tray. Then open up and set the extension by pressing down the hollow on the front side.
   
   
4. Execute automatic print head alignment.
   
5. 1. Press <COPY> button.
      
   2. Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].
      
   3. Press the left or right cursor to select [AUTO HEAD ALIGN], then press the <OK>. (A pattern is printed and the print head is automatically aligned. It takes about five minutes to finish printing the pattern.)
      
      
      
      

Manual print head alignment

1. Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.
   
   
2. Load two sheets of Letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder or cassette.
   
   
3. Ensure that the proper paper source is selected.
   
   
4. Execute manual print head alignment.
   
5. 1. Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].
      
   2. Press the left or right cursor to select [ALIGN PRINT HEAD], then press the <OK>. (The nozzle check pattern is printed.)
      
      
6. Check the printed patterns and use the left or right arrow to input the number of the pattern in column A that has the least noticeable streaks.
   
   
   
   
7. Press <OK> to move the cursor to column B, and then use the left or right arrow to input the number of the pattern that has the least noticeable streaks.
   
   
8. Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column P.
   
   
   
   
9. When you have finished inputting all pattern numbers, press <OK>.
   
   Note: For columns A through N select the patterns with the least visible vertical streaks. For columns O and P select the patterns with the fewest visible horizontal streaks.
   
   
   
   <1> Example of the pattern with the fewest visible vertical streak
   
   <2> Example of the pattern with the most visible vertical streak
   
   
   
   <1> Example of the pattern with the fewest visible horizontal streak
   
   <2> Example of the pattern with the most visible horizontal streak
   

Hope this helps - fotobean.

Perform Print Head Alignment Instructions to perform a Print Head Alignment directly from the machine. If diagrams or ruled lines are misaligned, print head alignment is required. The print head alignment can be performed automatically or manually. If the automatic print head alignment does not work, adjust the print head manually. Automatic Print Head Alignment

1. Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.
   
   
2. Load a few sheets of letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder.
   
   
3. Press the Open button to open the Paper Output Tray. Then open up and set the extension by pressing down the hollow on the front side.
   
   
4. Execute automatic print head alignment.
   
5. 1. Press <COPY> button.
      
   2. Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].
      
   3. Press the left or right cursor to select [AUTO HEAD ALIGN], then press the <OK>. (A pattern is printed and the print head is automatically aligned. It takes about five minutes to finish printing the pattern.)
      
      
      
      

Manual print head alignment

1. Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.
   
   
2. Load two sheets of Letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder or cassette.
   
   
3. Ensure that the proper paper source is selected.
   
   
4. Execute manual print head alignment.
   
5. 1. Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].
      
   2. Press the left or right cursor to select [ALIGN PRINT HEAD], then press the <OK>. (The nozzle check pattern is printed.)
      
      
6. Check the printed patterns and use the left or right arrow to input the number of the pattern in column A that has the least noticeable streaks.
   
   
   
   
7. Press <OK> to move the cursor to column B, and then use the left or right arrow to input the number of the pattern that has the least noticeable streaks.
   
   
8. Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column P.
   
   
   
   
9. When you have finished inputting all pattern numbers, press <OK>.
   
   Note: For columns A through N select the patterns with the least visible vertical streaks. For columns O and P select the patterns with the fewest visible horizontal streaks.
   
   
   
   <1> Example of the pattern with the fewest visible vertical streak
   
   <2> Example of the pattern with the most visible vertical streak
   
   
   
   <1> Example of the pattern with the fewest visible horizontal streak
   
   <2> Example of the pattern with the most visible horizontal streak
   

I hope it helps!!!

I have an Epson w/c had this problem a # of times. Go to the printer PROPERTIES tab (right click printer icon might work). Click on UTILITIES & you should see options for NOZZLE CHECK, HEAD CLEANING & PRINT HEAD ALIGNMENT. Follow instructions on all 3 until your Print Head Alignment printout is perfect. It might take a few head cleaning procedures
before you get it right. Good luck.