A Print Head Alignment Error in an iP3000
On printers such as the Canon Pixma iP3000, you may need to align the print head periodically to keep documents looking as they should. If the print head of the Pixma iP3000 is out of alignment, you may notice a decrease in print quality. The LED at the top of the printer may also flash to indicate an error.
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When to Align the Head
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You can determine whether the print head of the Pixma iP3000 needs alignment by examining the quality of printed pages. If you perform a head cleaning operation or print a document with straight lines, you may find that the lines have sections that appear broken or torn. This indicates that the print head needs alignment.
Print Head Alignment Without Software
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The print head alignment operation for the Pixma iP3000 requires A4 or letter-sized paper. You can execute the alignment operation from the printer without using the software on your computer. With a sheet of blank paper inserted, open the front panel of the printer and hold the "Resume/Cancel" button on the right side until the LED next to the Power button begins to blink. The head alignment operation begins.
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Print Head Alignment With Software
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You can run a head alignment operation using the Canon printer software on Windows-based and Mac computers. In Windows, open the "Printer Properties" section of the Canon software, select the "Maintenance" tab at the top of the window and click the "Print Head Alignment" button. On a Mac, you can find the head alignment function in the "BJ Printer Utility" application. Click the drop-down menu at the top of the window and choose "Test Print." Click the "Print Head Alignment" button below to begin the head alignment operation.
Head Alignment Failure
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The light next to the power button on the top of the Pixma iP3000 blinks in the event of an error. The number of blinks indicates the nature of the error; if the light blinks 11 times, it indicates the printer was unable to complete a head alignment operation. This may indicate that the printer does not have the correct paper size loaded. It may also indicate that the printer's ink nozzles are clogged or that one or more cartridges are empty. In addition, you should not attempt a head alignment operation while the Pixma iP3000 is in direct sunlight; this prevents the printer from being able to scan the alignment sheet.
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