Print Head Clog
Canon Printer
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
A clogged Canon print head is caused by dried ink in the nozzles. Run a print head cleaning cycle from the Canon printer software first — this clears most clogs without disassembly.
Affected Models
- Canon PIXMA MG Series
- Canon PIXMA MX Series
- Canon PIXMA TS Series
- Canon PIXMA iP Series
- Canon PIXMA G Series
Common Causes
- Printer left unused for weeks or months — ink dries in the nozzles
- Running the printer until cartridges are completely empty — dried residue blocks nozzles
- Printing infrequently — the automatic maintenance cycle does not prevent long-term drying
- Air entering the ink system after running empty
How to Fix It
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Run a standard print head cleaning cycle.
Open the Canon printer software → Maintenance → Cleaning. Select All Colours and run the cleaning cycle. Print a nozzle check pattern afterwards to check if the clog has cleared.
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Run a Deep Cleaning cycle if standard cleaning fails.
From the Canon maintenance utility, select Deep Cleaning. This uses more ink but pushes harder on stubborn clogs. Wait 1 hour between deep cleans — running them back-to-back wastes ink without improving results.
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Soak the print head manually (severe clogs).
If software cleaning fails, remove the print head from the carriage. Place it nozzle-side down on a few layers of kitchen towel dampened with warm distilled water. Leave it to soak for 30–60 minutes. Pat the nozzles gently on a fresh damp cloth and reinstall. Run a cleaning cycle after reinstalling.
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Print a nozzle check to confirm recovery.
From the Canon maintenance utility, print a Nozzle Check Pattern. A complete, unbroken pattern across all colours confirms the clog has cleared.
When to Call a Professional
If multiple deep cleaning cycles do not restore print quality and the nozzle check pattern remains broken, the print head has dried out permanently and needs replacement.