I have a canon iP3500, and its printing off... when i do a nozzle check the black set prints every other line down. I replaced the printer head and that didn't help.

Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent inkdrying out in the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages, thenprint head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer thanreplace the print head.

It sounds to me like your cartridge nozzles are clogged. That's more common with recycled or refilled cartridges, but it can also happen with new cartridges if they are older. If you just purchased the cartridge you could try to return it. Otherwise, I would try to continue deep cleaning and nozzle checks until it starts to print. It takes a lot of ink, but sometimes that's the only way to get it to print. Usually it will work eventually. Do a nozzle check in between each cleaning and deep cleaning.

1. this could be a clogged print head at the black cartridge. the head needs cleaning or the jets have clogged ports and cannot pass ink due to hardened ink.
This may require a print head replacement.
2.If you have recently place a new cartridge in the print slot check to see if you didn't leave the protective tape on the cartridge.

Open the cover and first remove the ink cartridges.Then open the holder and remove the print head.Run hot tap water and put the print head with the nozzles up to stream water.Hold that 5 mins then turn the print head around with the nozzles down.Hold that for every color of 5 mins.Then put the print head in hot water with the nozzles down.Left it water about 15 mins and then you must very nice to dry.When the print head dry put it in printer and start cleaning.If this not help you need to replace the print head.

ANSER #1

Assuming that you are using original Canon cartridges or a brand of Compatibles that you have used before.

If print results are blurred, colors are faded or not printed correctly, the pint head nozzles are probably clogged.

Follow the procedure below to print the nozzle check pattern, check the print head nozzle condition, then clean the Print Head. You may have to do this 2 or 3 times.

If printed ruled lines are misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, aligning the Print Head may improve print quality.

Caution Do not rinse or wipe the Print Head and ink tanks. This can cause trouble with the Print Head and ink
tanks.

Note Before performing maintenance
Open the Top Cover and make sure that all lamps on the ink tanks are lit red.
If not, see Checking the Ink Status and take an appropriate action.
Increasing the print quality in the printer driver settings may improve the print result.

Try wiping the print head with a soft damp cloth - it works for me.

as i can suggest you that it can be the problem of head clogged internally where you insert your black cartridge .and the other main cause is while you give a head cleaning command to get the cartridge cleaned it sucks or pulls  the ink from the cartridge in such a huge quantity that 3-4 cleanings make the cartridge totally empty .due to this the ink gets very low and the printouts come with streaks.many a times setting the print mode in best makes the copy perfect.but the printing gets too slow in that best mode.

Hi there,
The user manual for your Canon Pixma IP3500 is here:

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Canon-iP3500-Printers-manual/id/3124ci168/t/2/

Scroll down from the top of the page to where you see 'product support information'. There is a set-up guide as well as the user manual. The information you need should be there. Good luck!

Print Nozzle Check Pattern

1. Press the Open button to open the output tray.
   
   
   
   
2. Load letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder (ASF) or the cassette.
   
   
3. Display the Maintenance screen on the printer.
   
   
4. Press the up or down cursor to select [Nozzle check], then press the <OK>.
   
   
   
   
5. Press the up or down cursor to select [Yes], then press <OK>. (The nozzle check pattern is printed.)
   
   
6. Confirm the nozzle check pattern.
   

< 1 > The normal nozzle check pattern
< 2 > The abnormal nozzle check pattern

< 3 > Some black ink lines are broken.

< 4 > White lines are present in the color ink pattern.

< 5 > Both black and color inks are not present.
Note:

1. When all patterns are printed normally, press the up / down cursor button to select "All A" and press the OK button.
   
   
2. When any patterns are printed abnormally, press the up / down cursor button to select "Also B" and press the OK button.
   

Print Head Cleaning:

1. Display the Maintenance screen on the printer.
   
   
2. Press the up or down cursor to select [Cleaning], then press <OK>.
   
   
   
   
3. Press the up or down cursor to select [Yes], then press <OK> to start print head cleaning.
   
   Note:
   Do not do any other operations until print head cleaning is completed.
   
   
   
4. Print the nozzle check pattern and check the print head status.
   

Deep (Print Head) cleaning:

1. Display the Maintenance screen.
   
   
2. Press the up or down cursor to select [Deep cleaning], then press <OK>.
   
   
   
   
3. Press the up or down cursor to select [Yes], then press <OK> to start print head deep cleaning.
   
   Note:
   Do not do any other operations until print head deep cleaning is completed.
   
   
   
4. Print the nozzle check pattern and check the print head status.
   
   Note:
   Ifthe printed result does not improve even after doing print head deepcleaning, turn off the printer. Then, after 24 hours or later, do printhead deep cleaning again. (After a given time interval, ink coulddissolve itself, resulting in ink unclogging.
   
   

FYI: This was Canon's reply to me (for my MPS 390) and it worked !
Dear Doug:
Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. We regret that black ink does not print from your MP390.
The issue may be with the print head. The print head holds the ink tanks.
You can print a Nozzle Check Pattern to confirm whether the inks are being correctly ejected from the print head nozzles and whether the print head is correctly aligned. Please follow these steps to do so:
1. On the MultiPASS control panel, press [Additional Functions].
2. Press '<' (left) or '>' (right) arrow to select [MAINTENANCE].
3. Press Set. [NOZZLE CHECK] will appear.
4. Press Set again and a Nozzle Check Pattern will print. If lines are broken or white lines are present, clean the print head nozzles.
Verify if the black grid pattern prints at the top. If not, then the nozzles may be clogged.
Please follow these steps to perform a Print Head Refreshing for the
MP390:
1. On the MultiPASS control panel, press Additional Functions. '1. FAX SETTINGS' will appear on the bottom row of the display.
2. Press '<' (left arrow) or '>' (right arrow) to select '3.
MAINTENANCE.'
3. Press Set. 'Nozzle Check' will appear.
4. Press '>' the right arrow to select '3. HEAD REFRESHING' and then press Set. The print head cleaning takes approximately 1 to 2 minutes to complete.
5. Perform a Nozzle Check Pattern.
Nozzle Check Pattern:
Please follow these steps to print a Nozzle Check Pattern to confirm whether the inks are being correctly ejected from the print head nozzles and whether the print head is correctly aligned:
1. On the MultiPASS control panel, press Additional Functions. '1. FAX SETTINGS' will appear on the bottom row of the display.
2. Press '<' (left arrow) or '>' (right arrow) to select '3.
MAINTENANCE.'
3. Press Set. 'NOZZLE CHECK' will appear.
4. Press Set again and a nozzle check pattern will print.
5. Check the printout for broken, white lines and uniformity.
If the lines are broken, or white lines are present, clean the print head.
Please follow these steps to perform a Print Head Nozzle Cleaning:
1. On the MultiPASS control panel, press Additional Functions. '1. FAX SETTINGS' will appear on the bottom row of the display.
2. Press '<' (left arrow) or '>' (right arrow) arrow to select '3.
MAINTENANCE.'
3. Press Set. 'NOZZLE CHECK' will appear.
4. Press '>' the right arrow to select '2. CLEANING' and then press Set. The print head cleaning takes approximately 30 seconds to complete.
5. Print a Nozzle Check Pattern to see if the print quality is improved.
6. Perform Head Refreshing if lines are still broken or white lines still appear. If nozzle check pattern is missing colors, replace the ink tank.
Once you have completed two deep cleanings, please perform another Nozzle Test. If colors are still missing, turn off the printer.
After 24 hours, turn the printer on and perform one more Deep Print Head Cleaning. Once the cleaning is complete, print another Nozzle Test.
After you have completed the Nozzle Test, please let us know the results.
This may be caused by the ink jets in the cartridge print head (the device that holds the ink tanks) wearing out or the ink nozzles starting to clog up. Remove and reseat the print head. Verify that ink has not built up on the bottom of the print head. Please follow the instructions below to reseat the print head:
1. Power the unit on.
2. Open the cover of the printer to bring the print head holder to the center.
3. Remove the ink tanks and set them on a protective covering, such as a rag.
4. Raise the locking lever to release the print head.
5. Remove the print head and reinstall it.
6. Lock the lever back down, gently.
7. Replace the ink tanks. Make sure they securely snap into place in the proper slots.
8. Lower the cover of the unit.
If you have performed multiple print head cleanings but the issue continues, it is most likely that the cartridge print head (the device that holds the ink tanks) will need to be replaced.
If your MP390 is past the one year warranty period, Canon offers two options to assist you, Canon's Loyalty Program or repair at an Authorized Service Facility (ASF).
You are eligible for Canon's Loyalty Program. This option allows you a one-time opportunity to purchase a new printer that uses Canon's next generation of technology at a discounted price. To help you get up and running quickly, we also offer free next business day shipping (if the order is completed by 12:30PM).
If you would like to take part in this option, please reply back to us within the next 14 days.
Once we receive your reply, you will be registered for the Canon Loyalty Program and provided with a Discount Code. The Discount Code will be emailed to you separately along with further instructions on how to use the Canon Loyalty program.
Another option is to have an Authorized Service Facility repair your product, at standard market rates for parts and labor. Here is the closest Canon Authorized Service Facility to the Zip code you have
provided:
BUSINESS MACHINES
1823 UNIVERSITY AVENUE,
BERKELEY CA 94703
510-841-7100
Please call the ASF first to make arrangements to take the unit in for repair. Take the print head, ink tanks and power cable with you to the ASF. The ASF will need these items to perform proper troubleshooting.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide an estimated time it will take for the unit to be repaired. The speed at which the unit is repaired is based entirely on the ASF and their current work load.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your MultiPASS MP390.
Thank you for choosing Canon.
Sincerely,
David
Technical Support Representative
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