MX922 Black is blurry when printing on discs

[parkerg3]

I have a MX922 that prints normally on paper, and in all other colors, but when I print black items such as text on a DVD, the text is ghosted and blurry, as though the printhead was misaligned.  However, printing on paper does not cause this issue.  I have changed print cartridges, cleaned the timing belt, upgraded the firmware, performed the print alignment test multiple times, and tried different discs with different surface textures - but nothing works.  The print alignment test always comes out perfectly on paper.  And, as I mentioned above, its only for items that print with black - or contain black.  For example, text in colors that do not need black added to them print as crisp and sharp as they do on paper.  I've performed every level of cleaning on the heads, but with no effect.  I'm assuming it's a defect in the black print head - but I'm open to any suggestion as to how to resolve.  Thanks!

[laird]

I am having the same problem and have carried out all the steps recommended in this forum. The last question about the two BLACK cartridges printing misalligned occurs. is there an answer to this? There must be a resolution.

[parkerg3]

I've tried everything as well, including cleaning the encoder strip.  Nothing works. The idea of both black cartridges printing does sound plausible, but I'm not sure how you would cause the printer to use only one of them.  It would not surprise me to find that the "near black" suggestion posted earlier is accomplishing just that.  Regardless, it does seem to be an issue that more than one person is experiencing.

[laird]

I agree, but Canon must have an answer if it is being experienced by others. My the way my machine is the MG8220 but is suffers from exactly the same problem after a few years of faultless operation.

[Ramona]

Hi parkerg3,

Since you continue to experience difficulty, the printer may require servicing.  We ask that you please call or email us using one of the methods on the Contact Us page for further assistance.

[laird]

Canon's reply is a service? Is that the best that can be done? We have a very specific issue that is being experienced by a number of users. It is an issue not easily detected by a local service. The printer  is working perfectly except for the black text when printing to disc. How specific does one need to get. Surely there must be a reason. Is it in the latest software upgrade that caused a well functioning printer  to suddenly develop this anomaly?  I live outside a Canon service area and expect Canon to be a bit less cavalier about an issue which is obviously a Canon problemn rather than a specific machine problem since this defect is being reported in a variety of printers. You are getting double offset printing of black text on discs but perfect printing of black text on paper. What is the answer Canon?

[ilmarsaar]

Actually I think that you will notice the same anomaly in printing black text to photo paper as well and not just discs. Forcing the printer to use cyan, yellow and magenta inks only by using "near black" somehow minimizes this issue. However if you get too close to true black or even true gray it will start ghosting again. Red 15, green 15 and blue 30 worked best for me which is really very dark blue and not black or gray.

[laird]

Thanks, I can't see the artifacts on paper even with a magnifying glass but you are right about the false black on disc. It is acceptable as an albeit imperfect solution. Thanks

[ilmarsaar]

OK, so I really did call Canon like the product expert suggested and did not get anywhere. Tech support claimed that unless i was using Canon ink, Canon software and Canon paper then all bets are off and they can't help me because I am using Photoshop CC 2015 as software and generic full faced DVD's. After a few tests, as far as Canon Tech Support is concerned, my printer is in perfect working order even though my problem printing to DVD is still the same.  😞

[laird]

That is exactly why I think their suggestion of a service is a cop out. This is obviously a problem, probably with the software if not the the way the print head works when printing a disc if it is different from printing paper. Surely they should have an answer ready for a problem that is hounding so many users.

[merlin75]

I have the exact same problem, except it is not limited to printing on disks.. And I, too, have perofmred all of the troubleshooting steps.  

Edit: I find it suspicious that this problem, for me at least, exhibited itself 13 months after purchase!!! Planned obsolescence? Make the product fail just-out-of-warranty so the consumer has to buy a new one???