PIXMA G7020 (3.5 years old) is printing dull colors, with horizontal lines

[jbjorck]

When I purchased this G7020 printer, standard printing of Pdfs with embedded photos were sharp, with vibrant colors. Great printing!

Now the colors look faded, and there are tiny horizontal lines in photos (jpgs). I have done cleaning, deep cleaning, print head alignment, and ink flush.  Even on high-quality printing, the colors look faded. Even black text is dark grey vs. black. I am using brand-name canon ink.

Does this printer really "wear out" in only 3.5 years of modest use? I primarily print B&W text. 

Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Patrick]

Hi jbjorck,

With your G7020 powered on and plain paper loaded in the cassette, please follow these steps:

1.  Please press the wrench and screwdriver button on your PIXMA G7020 one time.

2.  Repeatedly press the right arrow button to select Maintenance and press the OK button.

3.  Press OK on Nozzle check.

A test page will print.

Please take a picture of the page that just printed and then please attach it to your reply of this post.

Did this answer your question? If so, please click the Accept as Solution button below so that others may find the answer as well.

[jbjorck]

It is attached. The photo makes the pattern look a bit brownish, and darker. In real life the pattern has no appreciable browning of the black lines, and the bottom yellow is so light, it is barely visible. 
In the interim since writing this, I tried manually adjusting the color intensity and contrast, and that helped a little, but it still is not great like it used to be.

[Patrick]

Hi jbjorck,

It appears that the cause of the printing issue that you are experiencing is that yellow is not printing as it should.  The bottom yellow bar is too faded.

Because performing multiple cleanings, including ink flush, did not get your G7020 to print correctly, it would appear that it would require service.

The issue could be with the printhead.  If you choose to replace the color printhead, they can be purchased using THIS LINK.  Please note, there are no returns on parts purchased and no guarantee that replacing the printhead would resolve this issue.

The replacment procedure can be found in the manual, here:

G7000 series > Replacing the Print Head

You are eligible for Canon's Upgrade Program. This is for out of warranty units which have been diagnosed to require service, or for some reason are incompatible with a new or upgraded system. This option allows you a one-time opportunity to purchase a replacement product, discounted from the list price.

If you would like to take part in this option, please call our Sales Department at (866) 443-8002 Monday through Saturday, 9am to 9pm. Let them know you have been working with technical support and the Canon Upgrade Program was offered.

Did this answer your question? If so, please click the Accept as Solution button below so that others may find the answer as well.

[jbjorck]

Thanks. The link you sent for a new print head is "out of stock," and other comments on the site suggest that this has been the case for some time.  I appreciate your diagnostic help, but I am discouraged that a printer that has only experienced modest use (and mostly B&W) would be dead after only 4 years when it cost $385. I have been buying Canon printers for a long time, and to the best of my memory, I have never had a printer die so quickly. I will consider checking out the "upgrade" you suggest. Thanks again.

[jbjorck]

I sent you the picture you requested but I am still waiting for a reply since 12/26. I just got an email saying there was a reply but the link does not work, and it does not show up in this thread. Help!

[Stephen]

Welcome to the Canon Community!

The Community isn't intended for immediate assistance. If your question is urgent, click HERE to visit your My Canon Account to discover your personalized support options.

If you're outside the USA, please click HERE for support options. 

[jbjorck]

I am aware that it is not for immediate response. However, I would not call 8 days since my initial inquiry "immediate." Moreover, I just let you know that I got an email saying there WAS a response, but the link did not work. That is why I wrote again. I thought perhaps an answer had been sent but I could no see it.
(Now, I got an email about your response to which I am now replying, and it did work). 

Still waiting since 12/23.....