Imageclass MF743Cdw prints too light. How to get it darker?

[Linda_Hagan]

My new (bought in October) Imagelcass has yet to print black in full black. It's very light, almost greyscale.  Color prints fine but the black is more of a grey.  I can adjust print settings when making copies, but can't find a way to make it "print" darker.  I use a PC, not a Mac.  Suggestions?

[Firefly1]

Thanks—I’ll give it a go!

[TEKnightRider]

Quick update as of 3/24/21...I just helped a friend install a brand new MF743Cdw (3/24/21)...and still out of the box the printer needs the procedure I'd posted previously Go to Solution.

Which again, that procedure is what I call a "more robust" sequence than the initial Startup Color Adjustment when the printers are fresh out of the box and turned ON for the very first time. So, apparently Canon has not yet perfected how to get the best Darkest Blacks and best Colors on the newest models fresh out of the box, as of yet. However following the procedure I'd posted previously (link here again) Go to Solution. still seems to "cure" the printer...as my friends Canon Color ImageClass MF743Cdw works great...just like mine. Guess they just want a lil' more tender lovin' care. ha ha 

[david07666]

Thanks for updating us on your friend's experience.  I guess they don't read this forum, either.

[EnFuego]

TEKnightRider,

Thank you!  This had been bugging for almost 6 months now (about the time I replaced the original printer catridges that came with the Printer with new ones - from Canon also).  I think I had almost given up hope, and tried one last time to check these forums, and Voila - your post did the trick.  You would think this would be included in the instructions for when doing the replacement.  Oh well, thank you again.  You saved another Canon from ending up at the recycle facility 🙂

[TEKnightRider]

Cool EnFuego glad you found it and that it helped! 

[Vikum]

I'm having the same problem and had huge hope for that earlier protocol, but it didn't help for me. 

The printer was working fine, printing at correct density's, then one day it started printing light. If I save my doc onto a USB stick and print from there, then the density is fine. It's only when I print from the computer that it prints light, whether that's airprint or hardwired printing. 

So I'm thinking it must be a setting on the computer preferences but I don't see anything for that. I'm on a mac.

Can anyone help?

[Wanderer82]

I also followed the instruction here but I don't get black text as dense / thick as with for example a Sharp or HP M479fdw copier. It's just a tad bit of black or richness that's lacking. When doing copies it's better or even okay. But it's really bad for a new and such a good device to just print a bit too weak. All options (toner density etc.) or trying different drivers didn't do anything. You can take the toner density of black to +8 and absolutely no effect is visible. Only pictures get darker. I guess it's a driver problem... the fonts are rendered differently so that they don't come out as punchy as they should. I had so much hope in the Canon device because the HP idiots decided to put the touch screen in a way you can't place books on the scanner. You can't turn it even to the height of the scanner. Some guys!

[carebear]

I can't believe this worked. I wonder why they would not have it print at its best right out of the box.

[HairyCannonbal]

Thank you times 1000. That worked.

[TEKnightRider]

Glad that worked for you both @carebear and @HairyCannonbal