MP640 no longer can do a stand-alone copy

[bigdud]

My MP640 will not do a stand-alone copy in black & white.  Color option yields a washed-out, weak image.  Seems to work OK when run via the computer.  The scanner light seems to be less bright than I remember, but I can't be sure of this.

Any ideas?

[Ramona]

Hello bigdud,

To begin troubleshooting the issue, we will want to perform a nozzle check on the printer to see if the inkjet nozzles are dispensing the ink correctly.  To perform a nozzle check, please follow these steps:

You need to prepare: a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper

NOTE

If the remaining ink level is low, the nozzle check pattern will not be printed correctly. Replace the ink tank whose ink is low.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on.

2. Make sure that one or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.

3. Open the Paper Output Tray gently, and open the Output Tray Extension.

IMPORTANT

If the Inner Cover is open, close it.

4. Print the nozzle check pattern.

     (1) Select Settings on the HOME screen, and press the OK button.  The Settings screen will appear.

     (2) Select Maintenance , and press the OK button.  The Maintenance screen will appear.

     (3) Select Nozzle check pattern, and press the OK button.

The pattern print confirmation screen will appear.

(4) Select Yes, and press the OK button.

The nozzle check pattern will be printed and two pattern confirmation screens will appear on the LCD.

5. Examine the nozzle check pattern.

See Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern.

Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern

Examine the nozzle check pattern, and clean the Print Head if necessary.

1. Check if there are missing lines in the pattern (1) or horizontal white streaks in the pattern (2).

(A) No missing lines/No horizontal white streaks

(B) Lines are missing/Horizontal white streaks are present

2. Select the pattern that is closer to the printed nozzle check pattern on the confirmation screen.

For (A) (no missing lines or no horizontal white streaks) in both (1) and (2):

(1) The cleaning is not required. Select All A and press the OK button.

(2) Confirm the message and press the OK button.

The screen will return to the Maintenance screen.

NOTE

Press the HOME button to exit the Settings menu and display the HOME screen.

For (B) (lines are missing or horizontal white streaks are present) in (1) or (2), or in both (1) and (2):

(1) The cleaning is required. Select Also B and press the OK button.  The cleaning confirmation screen will appear.

(2) Select Yes and press the OK button.  The machine starts cleaning the Print Head.

Did the nozzle check pattern print correctly?

If this is a time-sensitive matter, additional support options are available at Contact Us.

[bigdud]

Thanks very much for your suggestion, but that was one of the very first things I tried.  I also removed the print head and cleaned it thoroughly to no avail.  Eventually I junked the printer and bought a new MX892, which I'm sure cost me less than trying to get the old one repaired, new set of ink carts, etc.....