IS there a way to unclog a canon print head

Clocker

Golden Member
Sep 17, 2000
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I have a clogged s820

What are some methods to clean the printer. Is there a website i can be reffered to.

Is there a solvent I can use maybe to soak the cartridge.

Thanks
Clocker
 

Calin

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2001
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You might try with alcohol - it might work or it might not. Sometimes it works, and someone who refilled cartridges used the method.

Calin
 

Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
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Absolutely NO alcohol. Take the print head out, let it soak for an hour or so on a wet paper towel. Do that in the sink, it's GOING to be a mess. And leave the ink carts in while you do it, else the head will dry out from the other end.
 

Clocker

Golden Member
Sep 17, 2000
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Peter i tried that method but my photo cyan is still clogged. is there another way to try and fix this???? Thanks for the advice.

clocker
 

Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
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Has it clogged because it went with an absent or empty ink cart for a prolonged time? If so, you might dare to try quite warm water next. I have once revived such a print head by putting it into a bowl of rather hot water, just deep enough to cover the ink inlets as well. Use that as an absolute last resort, and make sure you rinse, shake out and dry the head reasonably well before putting it back into the printer. This might make things worse - you have been warned.

Besides, tried the "intensive cleaning" cycle from the printer's control application yet?

Failing that, Canon print heads can be bought as spare parts, and most of them actually cost less than a new printer. When quoted a price, please mind they come with a full set of inks.
 

Calin

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2001
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Use distilled water - I suppose even in USA the price is close to nothing. The intensive cleaning cycle wasn't as useful as I hoped (it is not a miracle cure).
But buying new print heads might be the cheapest solution for that

Calin
 

Macro2

Diamond Member
May 20, 2000
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I just unclogged a i850 printhead by running water through it under the tap until it was clean (no sign of ink).

I made sure that I blew any excess water out using compressed air to avoid and potential electrical shorts.

Put it back in, ran a deep clean and it works fine.

Like Peter said I'd try the towel trick first.

Mac

PS...seems the Black cloggs most often...
 

JBalls387

Member
Feb 8, 2004
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I also am having problems with my printhead, and its also the photo cyan. You use 3rd party cartridges? I have the i900d and have been using them for awhile without trouble, but now there are lines galore through my photo cyan output. I am trying the towel method right now.
 

SilentRunning

Golden Member
Aug 8, 2001
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Any ambitious person who can't get their printhead unclogged might try soaking the head in some Koh-I-Noor Rapid-O-Eze drafting pen cleaner. I haven't had issues yet (knock on wood) but I figured if a head clogs, as a last resort, I would try it. I have never had a drafting pen so clogged that soaking overnight in the cleaner would not clean it.

It is suppose to be safe for metal and plastic but I make no guarantees it will do harm. But short of purchasing a new print head it might be worth a shot.
 

Homebrew

Member
Jan 11, 2000
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YMMV, but it is my understanding that the Canon print heads are covered under the year warranty.

I experienced clogging 5 months after my I850 purchase and called Canon. They ran me through the usual cleaning cycles and test prints with negative results. Canon mailed out a new print head which arrived in less than a week free of charge.
 

NumbersGuy

Senior member
Sep 16, 2002
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This solution given by hp, has worked for me several times:
0. make sure it's not just out of ink

1. small bowl of water + dishwashing liquid, mixed
2. insert & support cartridge so that nozzles are into the solution
3. leave overnight, remove & dry carefully
4. ck if it works - if not repeat 1-4 once, maybe twice, if it still doesn't work it's gone

hth