PIXMA G2020 won't print blue, although window says it is 2/3 full

[kiddee]

My Canon Pixma G6000, bought 7/19/23, is not printing blue.  I have done several print head cleanings and a couple deep cleanings.  Ink windows look like they are all 2/3 full, although I have never had to change or refill the inks, which is rather amazing. Suggestions? 

[Tiffany]

Welcome to the forum!

So that the Community can help you better, we will need to know the exact model number in the G6000 printer series.  Any other details you'd like to give will only help the Community better understand your issue. The forum is not intended for immediate support. If this is a time-sensitive matter, click HERE search our knowledge base or find additional support options HERE

[jrhoffman75]

Did you run a nozzle check after the cleanings?

Canon : Inkjet Manuals : G6000 series : Printing the Nozzle Check Pattern

[kiddee]

Yes, I did nozzle checks each time, and no blue.  Just pink and yellow.

[jrhoffman75]

I would guess plugged or failed print head. Nothing to lose by trying one of the head cleaning methods on YouTube. 

[kiddee]

Thanks for the YouTube suggestion, John.  I watched a video on flushing the nozzles.  I hate to get inside the printer and mess with stuff, afraid I'd break something or not get it put back together correctly.  The printer is barely under warranty, and I am scheduled to take it to Geek Squad this week to have them fix it.  I think at no charge.  Better than my trying it.  However, that's an option.  I didn't do the nozzle cleaning option in maintenance because it warned that it would take a lot of ink.

BTW, my printer is a Canon Pixma G2020.  I didn't see a place to change that info.

[kiddee]

Update - I was hesitant to try the nozzle cleaning for a couple of reasons.  1) It says it takes a lot of ink.  I didn't know how much. 2) I wondered where all the ink would go.  Would it leak out?  Or sit somewhere inside the printer until it dries out?  I do miss the days of more thorough user manuals that used to come with electronics.

Since it was barely under 1-year warranty I could have tried contacting Canon, but didn't think of it, or even think I could get through to any customer service.  Geek Squad agents do not fix printers, but they did find the tray inside where the ink probably would go with nozzle cleaning.  However, they are replacing the printer for $29 since I'm a Total member.  I decided that is a better option than my trying to do the nozzle cleaning myself with the unanswered question of how I would get rid of the ink in the tray, or if it just dries up.  I am paying $89 for someone to come out and set up the new printer, unless I can figure out how to do it before their scheduled visit on Tuesday.  I'm not very technical, but may give it a try today.  Thanks for the suggestions.

[Stephen]

There is a sponge in the printer, which is called the "waste ink absorber." If you leave your printer on all the time (which we recommended), your printer will do a daily maintenance routine that will push a tiny amount of ink through the print head & nozzles, and then it will dab itself off on the waste ink absorber. This prevents the printhead from drying out & keeps the ink from getting gummy in the tubes inside of the printer. 

Canon USA support is available during the week at 800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666). You need to ensure your printer is registered and eligible for phone support (it is still covered by warranty). You can do that at https://canon.us/account. 

[kiddee]

Interesting about the sponge inside the printer.  Wondering if that info is documented for the user?  Yes, I leave our printer on all the time, except on rare occasions.  

I'll make a note about the canon.us/account on the front of my new printer installation guide.  I assume I'll have a new 1-year warranty.  Thank you. 

[Stephen]

Some units have a replaceable "maintenance cartridge," which is where the sponge lives. Others don't. Most home-use printers don't have them because, in regular use, people don't tend to fill up that sponge, but businesses tend to print more, so they may need to replace it.