MX892 getting error B200, any way to fix it? Based on forums this is printing head error.

[canonpixmauser]

Just a follow-up for those experiencing what I did.  It took a new printhead to resolve the B200 error in my case.  'Almost as expensive as an equivalent new model Pixma printer on sale however.   I found a YT video of a guy touting a specialized printhead cleaning kit.  It's basically a pressure washer for this type printhead.   'Didn't buy the kit, but did learn that mere flushing of the printhead (which I did try, a couple of times) may not quite get it, because getting each of the ink channels thoroughly cleared out is far more problematic than that.  IOW, it can become "uncleanable".  If the flushing procedure works for you great; but if not, you're not alone.  (I ALSO learned that there have been two separate class-action lawsuits due to product "defects" along these lines... 'Not sure if still pending or not.) 

ANY service center could easily have done what I did (replace the printhead) - it's a really simple 5-min operation - but they'd have to be stocking the right model printhead, which they're obviously not any longer.  The fact that service was "unavailable" for the MX 892 is conclusive evidence of the manufacturer's planned obsolescence scheme.

[khiem]

The MX892 is a great printer, one in which cheap Chinese ink works great, even for photos.  After trying my cleaning method for the second time after the printhead died, I decided to buy a new printhead.  Since I'm cheap, I didn't want to spend $100.00 or more for a new printhead, therefore I went on Ebay and found a NEW one for less than $40.00 incuding shipping.  Now I still have TWO MX892 printers working full time printing photos for pennies.....and still with great quality.  You might want to try that approach since the new printers, are not as good as the old and are MONEY COWS to the manufactures due to the expensive ink.

[canonpixmauser]

'Didn't get mine from eBay, but should have I guess. 'Didn't spend $100, but not $40 either.  Yeah, I like the MX892, but the printhead strikes me as the weak link. (Well, that or customer service; not sure which is worse.) Next time this comes up, there might not be any more of these printheads available anywhere...

BTW - the class action lawsuits I mentioned:

Barrett v. Canon U.S.A. (2014)

Ho v. Canon U.S.A. (2014)

[khiem]

Secret to a long life for your printhead, no matter what type of printer, i.e., NEVER, I repeat NEVER run it when the printer states the ink is out or has run low, you will FRY your print head!  Always use your printer every week or the printhead will dry out and cause problems that cannot be resolved by cleaning.  ALWAYS use cheap Chinese ink from Ebay, MOST are as good as the name brands and I have over 10 year prints printed with both the generic and Canon and you can't tell the difference, though some Chinese brands are REAL junk....will take a little experimentation.

[ajayon]

It took me three trys the first time by following the directions exactly and lasted about a year.  The second and third times it has worked the very first try. My point is don't give up on the first try.

[canonpixmauser]

RE The advice to print something weekly.   Does that actually mean TWO things?  One for the color tanks and one for the large B&W tank? 

[Jojois]

Finally it's working after trying every day for a week. What I did is following kdean823 suggestions what I did different is that I soaked the printhead in peroxide and let it soak until the peroxide was black I knew then that the printhead was unclogged, let it dry, put it back on et voilà! 

[levinedp]

I turned mine off when I got the error message in the morning.  Later in the afternoon, I read this solution and decided to try it after the machine had been off and unplugged for 4 hours.

When I looked at mine and it wasn't powered on  there was no OK button. (That's only on the electronic display screen.)  So I pushed the power button 5 times, the Black print button 5 times and the Color print button 5 times. (I felt like I should cross my fingers and throw salt over my shoulder, too)

But when I powered back up, it worked!

[jamatulli]

This is a printer head error caused by a clogged print head.  The Plug In technique is working for some because the machine does a quick head cleaning on start.  If you let the machine sit for a long time without using it, let the ink run out, etc and haven't done a deep cleaning you will get this error.

If restarting the machine several times doesn't work for you then you need to clean the head manually.  I soaked mine in isoprpyl alchohol for a day first but that did not do the trick.  I then cleaned it thoroughly using hot water in a sink.  Beware it will make a lot of ink flow and splash so be prepared.  The ink contiued to flow for quite a while, maybe 10 minutes but I may have over done it. Probalby could have quite sooner but I wanted to only do it once.

I held each of the different colors input directly under the running water until it only clear water came out the ran the water through the output.   I repeated this back and forth until no ink came out.  Be aware that you may think its done and then more will come out in a very fine stream.

After this I dried it with a paper towel.  Better to use a dust free cloth if you have one but don't use toilet paper as it leaves a lot of dust.  Then I let it dry for a couple hours before installing it.  Turned on the machine and done.

[dbogart]

What is the print head?  How do I take it out to clean it?