PIXMA MX922 printer not printing black

traciflome
Apprentice

My pixma MX922 is not printing black text.  It will print color.  I have changed my ink, cleaned it and shut it on and off.  Thoughts?

95 REPLIES 95

Jessgold
Contributor

Is there a solution?

me too....no solution?

did all this. still printing other colors where black should be.

Ramona. I just bought this printer (afeter owning dozens over the decades) only a few months ago and have only printed a bout 100 color prints....now the black does not print correctly and looks like there is no solution. I will NOT be extorted any more. cannon better contact me and at least try to help me fix this over the phone. If we can't get it to work...the I want another one. I am LIVID! I tried to call [phone number removed] but no one answers. Jess [personal phone number removed per forum guidelines]

Hi, Jessgold!

Thanks for posting on our forum! This community is designed for your fellow Canon owners to help each other out with any problems they may encounter. If this is a time-sensitive matter, you can call our US-based tech support team weekdays at 1-800-OK-CANON (1-800-652-2666).  You can also click HERE search our knowledge base or find additional support options HERE.

Thanks and have a great day!

Hi Jessgold,

 

If you have not contacted Canon by using the number provided by Danny, please let us know what is the model number of your printer. Once we have that information we can start troubleshooting the issue.

 

We look forward to your reply.

Stansh
Apprentice

I have the same issue with MX922 model. Looks like massive defect for the same series of printers. So far using the "photo paper" workaround. Very disappointed with Canon and looking to buy more reliable printer from one of Canon's rival.

I have the same problem with my MX942. I can't print black but it can photocopy with black. 

DrPhant0m
Apprentice

Hey.  

I have an MX922, and I have the PGBK not printing issue as well.


I used to work as a Geek at BestBuy, and I learned a lot about printers while I was there.  

 

I don't have a fix for this issue (yet)...  but a little explanation:   the "pigment black" (PGBK) ink is cheap to manufacture, but it's actually a very dark purple color, not true black... and so you get a bigger tank for less money.  The printer, software, and drivers are smart enough to know what is text and what is a picture... which is why printing as a photo or on photo paper will cause the printer to bypass the pigment black for the better dye-based black.  If your PGBK is not working, this will help you get something printed, but you'll use the more expensive dye-based black for everything.

 

Everyone here probably knows by now that the cartridges do not have the print head on them...  the cartridge is just a tank with a sponge on the bottom, and the print head SUCKS the ink out to spray out of microscoping nozzles.  The print head is permanent, but replaceable...  meaning that you only get 1 print head with the printer and you don't typically have to replace it, but you can swap it out if need be.

 

If the PGBK is not coming out... it's not an issue with the cartridge directly, it's a problem with the print head. Though using low-quality knock-off cartridges could eventually gum up the print head/nozzles.  I suppose there's a chance that the circuitry of the printer itself may be malfunctioning and not communicating correctly with the print head.  It's easy to remove the print head and inspect it (take all your inks out, flip a lever if you have one, and pull).  You'll find that there are a lot of small electrical connection pads on it, that mate to connections on the printer.  If there's bad circuitry on either side... you will have a problem. 

 

I tried cleaning my print head with rubbing alcohol and a prep pad, but I have not yet tried the solution where you run a specialized liquid through the head or let it sit for hours/days.   Aside from getting a replacement print head... I bet this is the best bet, in case the circuitry is working fine, but the PGBK just happens to be clogged or gummed up.   There is a surprising amount of ink that comes out of the print head when you flush it... so it may take some vigorous cleaning to get any clogs out.

 

I've read a few users here that have replaced the print head, and still have the same problem.  Or, they replaced the print head and got a different problem.   Barring the possibility that the printer circuitry that "talks" to the print head is bad... This makes me believe that the replacement print head was either used or poorly refurbished.  Either way, that print head had issues in the past, and they were not fixed.   I would bet that any replacement print head that Canon sends out is remanufactured.  If this is the case... send it right back and ask for another one.

 

If anyone has the LUXURY of swapping print heads between two identical printers and reporting back if the problem follows the PRINTER or the PRINT HEAD... it would be a good illustration of where your problem is.

 

Good luck to all!

Hi all,

 

It's been almost a year since I first posted my dilemma. I've given up on getting the PGBK to print. I'll still use it for photos, which it does well, copy and scanning. I hace since bought a HPOfficejet 3830, which is also wi-fi capable, which makes my husband happy. I bought the MX922 to replace a Canon iP4500. It, too, stopped printing PGBK and the other colors started to streak. Again, I cleaned the printhead with a long soak in water for a few days, popped the cartridges in but I could not set it up to recognize the printhead at all. Just churned and chugged away. It sits on the floor collecting dust. 

 

I see no reason to contact Canon since, as others here, would get only canned responses. 

 

It's not worth replacing the printhead. Sorry, Canon, you lost a loyal customer.

 

 

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