I've registered here to post about my recent experience with a Pixma MP620 that I've had for years (very light use as a scanner and printer, ink always kept supplied). I recently refilled all the low tanks,[1] and after the last "fill-up" did a deep cleaning to correct some alignment issues. Test print page was perfect.
Yesterday while printing a PDF, I canceled the print job from the Windows printer status window, then the Canon print dialog (status was still "Preparing print job..."). Upon examinig the printer, the dreaded B200 error was annunciated.No paper was in the paper path, nothing else out of order. The print head was parked normally.
I've tried a long power off (cord disconnected, 2+ hours), no joy, removed and reseated the ink tanks, no joy, removed and cleaned the print head and ink tank inputs (Qtip and isopropyl alcohol, as I learned working on military grade avionics), no joy, turned the printer back on without the print head and tanks, and installed each as directed by the status window, no joy. Still the B200. I did notice that when I installed the print head there was no error other than "ink tank unrecognized," when when I installed the ink tanks, no further error. I may buy new tanks from Costco to see if that clears the error.
Haven't had any results from magic button combinations.
Following Diane's recipe (I agree, running warm water over an electronic component is ill-advised and probably futile), I'm soaking the bottom of the print head in isopropyl alcohol three times until the alcohol remains relatively clear. Then, shake dry (no patting or touching), then air dry for at least 24 hours, then blow with gentle compressed air, then ... crossing my fingers ... installing the print head and ink tanks in sequence.
But ... this is why I'm here posting.
I'm here to post to Canon that this is unacceptable and will prevent me from buying your consumer electronics in the future. The circuits need to be sophisticated enough to identify the point of failure (e.g. "print head voltage," "print head ink issue," "self-test failure") so that the consumer can receive a general repair prognosis and estimate from a service center. A generic error like "B200, check manual" leading to "power off, wait 5 minutes, power on, if no change, submit to service center" is useless. The consumer is not a pot of money for you to dip into without prior consultation! ... Particularly when repair or replacement of parts may cost more than a new printer.
This is also wasteful. If I KNEW for certain that the print head was damaged, I'd buy another. But the lack of information leaves me no choice but e-cycle the printer and buy another -- by another brand -- at Costco. Cheap product planning like this doesn't just result in a poor printer, doesn't just result in future lost printer sales, but trickles down to prior customers who become negative ambassadors who shun the brand and encourage others to do so. Save a few pennies on the design and manufacture of a printer today, costs many dollars soon after.
[1] I'm curious if others encounter the B200 error after using third party refilled tanks, or third party new tanks.
