Printing Results Highly Distorted

[PrintmasterFlex]

Ever since I dealt with a particularly nasty jam, everything I print seems to be highly distorted, either on parts of the page (ex., text offset and jumbled down the middle) or the entire page. For example, this is the printable version of the Wikipedia article on Deer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deer&printable=yes

And this is how this article looks after I print it out, then scan it:

Obviously, this might be a point of no return, but perhaps one of you folks who know a thing or two about printers could point me to the right direction in diagnosing and potentially fixing the problem? Alternatively, if you think this is simply a dead printer, let me know.

Thanks for any and all replies!

[Tara_N]

Hi, PrintmasterFlex!

So that the Community can help you better, we will need to know exactly what Canon equipment you're using. That, and any other details you'd like to give will help the Community better understand your issue!

If this is a time-sensitive matter, our US-based technical support team is standing by, ready to help 24/7 via Email at http://bit.ly/EmailCanon or by phone at 1-800-OK-CANON (1-800-652-2666) weekdays between 10 AM and 10 PM ET (7 AM to 7 PM PT).

Thanks and have a great day!

[PrintmasterFlex]

Thanks! The printer is a Canon MG2120. The distortion began after I removed a printed paper that lodged was about halfway through the printing process, which had evidently been there since my last printing session.

[Mpell · Accepted solution]

Typically after a paper jam the encoder strip gets dirty. Cleaning it usually resolves this issue. Heres how to check it. If you open up the front where the paper prints, theres a clear strip that goes from left to right (its right above the greasy metal strip). If the strip is dirty (typically with ink smudges), clean with a little bit of water and q-tips. BE GENTLE! And, be sure to UNPLUG the machine before proceeding. After cleaning do a test print to confirm.

[Mpell · Accepted solution]

Typically after a paper jam the encoder strip gets dirty. Cleaning it usually resolves this issue. Heres how to check it. If you open up the front where the paper prints, theres a clear strip that goes from left to right (its right above the greasy metal strip). If the strip is dirty (typically with ink smudges), clean with a little bit of water and q-tips. BE GENTLE! And, be sure to UNPLUG the machine before proceeding. After cleaning do a test print to confirm.

[PrintmasterFlex]

I did what you said, Mpell, and the printer seems to be working normally now. Thank you very much. 

[godfreykaija]

I need assistance. I use a Canon MB 2140 and having a distorted print. How can i resolve this?

[Patrick]

Hi godfreykaija,

Please try following the steps outlined in the following Knowledgebase Article:

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART168472

If you continue to have difficulties, please contact our support group using the following link:

http://Canon.us/ContactLI