Pixma ip7220: crisp and unclear text lines, can't find the reason, I need suggestions.

[Ranchhand1]

My printer has started printing (randomly, no pattern to it) muddied text lines and crisp, clear text lines. Only text, not graphics or color. Here's what I have done:

> Ran deep cleaning option on the large ink tank (used for printing) four times, slight improvement only.

> Removed print head, gave it a strong cleaning, dried it and reinserted. No difference.

> Uninstalled and Reinstalled printer drivers twice. No difference.

> Changed out the large, black ink tank. No difference.

> Ran the roller cleaning option, No difference.

Please understand, this applies only to complete lines of text on any text document. All text letters on each individual line are identical in quality; one line is perfect, next line is blurred, next line is perfect, next 2 lines are blurred, next line is perfect, etc.  Color, photos, etc. print as great as ever.

I never had this problem before and am stumped. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Ranchhand1]

No takers, ok.... Hey Canon, are you reviewing this forum? Any suggestions?

[Stephen]

Hi Ranchhand1!

Welcome to the Canon Forums!

We do read every single post on the Canon Community Forums!

We value our customers and want to make sure we address your questions or issues in the best way possible but the Forum is not intended for immediate customer service and direct support. If you have an urgent customer service or support issue for a product manufactured for the United States market, please give our award-winning customer support a call at 1 (800) OK CANON or contact us online at http://www.usa.canon.com/support

[Patrick]

Hi Ranchhand1,

Based on your description of the issue, the Encoder Film inside the printer may be smeared. Please follow the procedures below to check the film condition, and clean it when necessary:

1. Press the power button to turn your PIXMA iP7220 off.

2. Unplug the power cord from the printer. Be sure to turn off the printer power and unplug the power cord first.

3. Open the Paper Output Cover.

4. Check if the Encoder Film inside the printer is clear. The Encoder Film is the transparent thin film. Please view the following image:

5. If the Encoder Film is smeared as shown in the image, it needs to be cleaned.

6. Place a few drops of neutral detergent (2 to 3 drops of neutral detergent in 1/4 cup of tap water) on a cotton swab with water. CAUTION: Do not use any other detergents.

7. Moisten a cotton swab with the prepared cleaning water. Eliminate extra water so that no water drops.

8. Using the moistened cotton swab, wipe the Encoder Film. CAUTION: Be cautious so that no water drops inside the printer.

CAUTION: Do not contact the rail. If the rail is contacted, the print quality may be deteriorated. The Encoder Film is fixed to the printer with the springs at the ends. If the film is pushed too strong, it may be dislocated. Do not push the film. Just gently move the cotton swab over the surface of the film.

Also, please keep your hands off the printer and clean the film with the tip of the cotton swab. Change the cotton swab to new ones frequently.

9. Eliminate any stains or smearing from the film until the entire film becomes transparent and clear.

10. If the trail of detergent is left on the film, clean it using a cotton swab that is moistened with just water. If moisture is left on the film, eliminate it using a dry cotton swab, and wait until the film dries well.

11. Close the Paper Output Cover, and plug in the power cord of the printer.

12. Press the power button to turn your PIXMA iP7220 on.

13. Please print a test page.

14. If the problem persists, check and clean the Encoder Film again.

[Ranchhand1]

Thank you Patrick and Stephen; unfortunately, the Encoder Film was so clear at first I couldn't find it; I ran a couple of swabs over it and they came away clean. There appears to be no answer to this, so I can only assume that the problem is in the mechanics of the printer itself. I have ordered a new printer.