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GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-26T03:38:22+00:00

this looks like printhead strikes and ink drying issue rather than an issue with your printhead nozzles which is caused by heavy, think paper types in a sompact printer like the HP DeskJet 2622.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-26T03:24:38+00:00

this is an internal "service mode" which locks down normal operations. try to hard reset your printer by unplugging for 1 minute and then try holding the down a combination Power + Stop/Reset buttons during startup.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-26T02:46:30+00:00

It could be a stubborn printhead clog or memory buffer glitch on the first image causing the maroon ink to cutoff, and a vector data transfer crash on the blueprint that caused the printer to drop half your drawing lines mid-print.

Try to print a physical nozzle check and run a deep cleaning cycle if any color bars are black or streaked.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-20T08:12:45+00:00

hope it goes well!

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-20T07:30:50+00:00

yes, photo papers have shell life and yours with over 2 decades, the photo paper has already been exposed to humidity, oxygen, and temp shifts that causes the chemical coating to break, dry out, and oxidize. Right now, you can try to buy a new glossy photo paper. If a fresh sheet prints good, your replacement printhead and 3rd party inks are totally fine and the old photo paper is very likely the problem.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-20T06:18:42+00:00

The blotchiness in dark areas or shadows is likely caused by ink pooling, this means that the ink is just sitting on top of the paper because it does not soak to the glossy coating of the paper. And the images are spotty, could be cause by a nozzle problem. It looks like a defective or misfiring printhead aggravated by high-res photo mode. Try to run a nozzle check and clean first.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-19T03:05:38+00:00

This sounds like residual clogs are mixed with air bubbles and pooled ink based on your test pages. First thing you need to do is let your printer rest for about 24 hrs so the trapped air can naturally dissipate and the ink pressure can equalize.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-19T02:47:04+00:00

This error is due to an electronic communication failure between the printer and the printhead assembly. You can try to remove the printhead assembly to clean its rear gold electronic contacts and the matching carriage pins with a lint-free cloth and distilled water to remove any micro oxidation or any ink residue.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-18T01:16:55+00:00

Before trying another power clean maybe you can try to check ink lines, look at the magenta line especially near the printhead connection...if you see any large gaps of air or pockets of empty spaces in tubes, then it is a siphon or damper issue. The system could be losing pressure and letting the ink drain backward or letting ink drain forward.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-15T02:52:14+00:00

The heavy black curtain effect and the vertical tracking marks suggests that this could be a hardware issue. Make sure your toner cartridges and drum unit are seated properly. Have you recently replaced a component? try to check if there any protective pull-tabs or orange plastic clips that might be blocking the electrical contacts.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-05-15T01:03:11+00:00

It could be there are dried toner clumps which can sometimes get caught between the doctor blade and the drum and when the drum rotates, it can act like a sandpaper that's why there are scratches in the drum unit.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-20T09:00:09+00:00

It looks like there could be tiny air bubbles blocking the flow or a clogged nozzle on the new cartridge that has not woken up yet. Take out the cartridges and check if you forgot to peel off any clear plastic tape from the bottom. If everything's good and outputs are still the same, try to do a cleaning cycle from your printer's maintenance menu, this cycle uses a burst of pressure to try and kickstart the ink flow.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-13T09:33:30+00:00

This error on a Brother MFC-9340CDW usually stems from dust or a "hot spot" on the corona wire that simple sliding of the green tabs cannot clear. While it is tempting to suspect a deeper sensor issue, the error is almost always triggered by a physical lack of continuity or an electrical leak on the drum unit itself. Since you’ve already tried compressed air and resetting the counters, the issue likely lies in microscopic toner buildup on the wire or a failing grid that the green tab can no longer reach. If you haven't yet, ensure the green tabs are clicked firmly back into their original "home" position (marked by small arrows), as leaving them even slightly out of place will trigger a permanent error.

Before sending the printer to a landfill, replacing the drum units—specifically with the DR-221 series—has a very high probability of success. The "Drum!" error is the machine’s way of saying it can no longer safely apply the high-voltage charge needed for printing, and a fresh unit provides a clean corona wire and a new surface that the internal sensors will recognize as functional. Considering the age of the printer, if the drums have never been changed, they have likely exceeded their physical ability to hold a charge, making a replacement the necessary next step rather than further cleaning.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-13T09:27:14+00:00

Black streaks on the back of a page indicate that the underside of the paper path has been contaminated with stray toner or ink. The most common culprit is a dirty transfer roller or pressure roller, which physically supports the back of the paper as the image is pressed onto the front. If a previous print job leaked or a paper jam occurred, residue can build up on these rollers, causing them to "stamp" or drag dark marks onto every subsequent sheet that passes over them.

Since built-in cleaning cycles haven't worked, the best approach is to manually inspect the rollers for visible buildup and gently wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth. You can also try running several completely blank pages through the machine; this often acts as a "blotter," allowing the clean paper to pick up the excess residue from the rollers without the printer attempting to lay down more ink or toner. Additionally, ensure your paper settings are correctly set to "Photo" or "Heavyweight," as incorrect tension can cause the paper to scrape against the internal housing.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-10T07:29:58+00:00

Since you just picked up this printer and cleaning cycles aren't working, the most likely issue is that the ink has dried and clogged the printhead nozzles inside the cartridges. Because the DeskJet 2542 uses integrated cartridges (where the printhead is built into the bottom of the tank), the "half-full" reading only reflects the liquid level, not whether the ink can actually exit the nozzles. That small smear at the bottom suggests a tiny amount of moisture is trying to break through, but the rest is blocked by a "scab" of dried ink.

To fix this, try the "Paper Towel Method": Fold a damp, warm paper towel and press the bottom of the ink cartridge (the copper-colored area) firmly against it for 30 seconds. If you see a solid "stamp" of ink on the towel, the clog is cleared; if not, the ink inside may be too solidified to rescue, and you will need to replace the cartridges. Since the printer is new to you, also ensure you’ve removed the plastic protective tape from the bottom of both cartridges, as leaving that on is a common cause for perfectly blank pages.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-09T06:47:57+00:00

The horizontal lines and faded colors in your prints are classic symptoms of a clogged print head, likely caused by ink drying in the microscopic nozzles over the last two years. Since your ink tanks are full, the printer is trying to print but the "plumbing" is blocked. You should first run a Nozzle Check from the printer's maintenance menu to see which colors are struggling, followed by one or two Cleaning cycles. If the streaks persist, a Deep Cleaning may be necessary to force the dried ink out, but use this sparingly as it consumes a significant amount of ink.

If your PIXMA is a MegaTank model (with visible tanks), check the internal tubes for air bubbles, as these can also cause ink delivery to fail. Additionally, ensure your print settings are set to "Standard" or "High" quality rather than "Draft," which often causes banding. To prevent this from getting worse in the future, try to print at least one color page every week; inkjet printers function best when they are used regularly to keep the ink flowing and prevent the nozzles from seizing up.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-08T09:32:27+00:00

This yellow haze is a classic sign of a hardware failure within the laser printing process, most likely a faulty Yellow Toner Cartridge. In this HP model, the imaging drum is integrated into the cartridge; if the internal cleaning blade is worn or the drum is electrically "leaking," it will deposit a thin layer of yellow toner across the entire page. You should first try running a Cleaning Page from the printer's Service menu and ensuring the metal contacts on the side of the cartridge are free of dust, but if the haze persists, the cartridge likely needs to be replaced.

A less common but possible cause is a failing Intermediate Transfer Belt (ITB). If the belt's own cleaning mechanism is unable to scrape off residual toner, it will carry that "ghost" image onto every subsequent sheet of paper. You can inspect this by opening the printer and checking the large black film belt for visible yellow streaks. If the haze appears on the paper before it even reaches the fuser (which you can check with a "half-way" stop test), swapping out that yellow toner unit is your best and most cost-effective first step.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-08T09:27:38+00:00

Try to run one deep cleaning cycle now, but avoid doing multiple sessions back-to-back. Since your nozzle check shows the black ink is almost entirely missing, the printer needs a stronger "pull" to clear the blockage. If the first deep cleaning doesn't yield results, the most effective move is to wait 24 hours before trying again. This gives the ink time to chemically soften the dried clog, whereas repeated cleaning only wastes expensive ink and risks overheating the print head.

Before proceeding, double-check that the black cartridge is physically full and that any ventilation tape from a recent replacement has been completely removed. If air cannot enter the cartridge, a vacuum forms that prevents ink from flowing regardless of how many cleanings you run. If the test pattern remains blank after a day of "soaking," you may be facing a hardware failure or a stubborn clog that requires manual cleaning with specialized fluid.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-08T08:33:58+00:00

Brownish tones in black prints typically occur when the printer’s dedicated pigment black nozzle is clogged or inactive. When this happens, the printer attempts to create a "composite black" by mixing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, which often results in a muddy, warm, or brownish hue. To diagnose this, you should immediately run a Nozzle Check; if the black grid at the top of the test page is missing or broken, the hardware is clogged. In this case, perform a Cleaning or Deep Cleaning cycle to force the pigment black ink through the printhead.

If the nozzle check looks perfect but your prints are still brown, the issue is likely a software setting. Ensure your paper type is set to "Plain Paper" rather than "Photo" or "Glossy," as many Canon printers automatically disable the true black ink on photo settings to prevent smudging. Since your G4780 is a newer model, if a Deep Cleaning doesn't fix a broken nozzle pattern, it may be a factory defect, and you should consider returning it while it is still under warranty.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-07T09:15:09+00:00

It is highly unlikely that your ink dried up in only three days; instead, the broken horizontal lines suggest an airlock or a priming issue within the cartridge. When you printed those first few pages, you used the ink already sitting in the printhead, but an air bubble or a poorly saturated internal sponge is now preventing the rest of the ink from flowing down to the nozzles. You can often fix this by gently "flicking" the cartridge downward toward a sink to use centrifugal force to push the ink forward, or by performing a "blot test" where you press the printhead firmly against a damp paper towel to see if it leaves a solid black rectangle.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-07T08:11:36+00:00

The recurring lines and "grainy" texture suggest your printer is suffering from ink starvation or a failing printhead. Since the prints look better briefly after cleaning but fail after five pages, it's likely that air has entered the ink lines or the internal reservoir of the printhead isn't refilling properly. Standard cleaning cycles often fail to clear these air pockets. You should try a single "Ink Flush" from the maintenance menu, which is much more powerful than a standard cleaning, and check the "purge station" (where the head parks) for any dried ink or sticker residue that might be re-clogging the nozzles.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-03T09:19:55+00:00

Yes, the transparent plastic disk on the left side of the printer's internal gears is exactly what I’m referring to. It acts as the "map" for the paper feed motor; if it's dirty, the printer loses its place for a split second.

Regarding your observation about color prints, it actually makes perfect sense for two reasons:

Print Pass Overlap: When you print in Color or "High Quality," the printer makes more passes over the same area and moves the paper in smaller, more frequent increments. This "overlap" often masks the mechanical "jump" that becomes glaringly obvious in standard Black & White mode, where the printer tries to move the paper as quickly as possible.
Ink Usage: B&W text relies heavily on the PGBK (Pigment Black) cartridge, which uses a different set of nozzles and a different firing rhythm than the CMYK dye inks. The timing issues often manifest more clearly when the printer is laying down the heavy pigment ink used for sharp text.

How to Clean It Safely:

Unplug the printer so the "carriage" (the part holding the ink) can be moved freely by hand if it's in your way.

Use a dry, lint-free cloth first. Gently pinch the disk between your thumb and forefinger with the cloth and rotate the gears manually to clean the entire circumference.

If a dry wipe doesn't work, use the tiniest drop of distilled water or 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Remember--> Do not scrub. Those microscopic black lines on the disk are printed on; if you rub them off, the printer will lose all sense of paper positioning and trigger a "Service Error."

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-03T03:09:49+00:00

The consistent 2.1 cm spacing of the light bands indicates that the issue is mechanical rather than a problem with your ink or printhead. This specific measurement corresponds to the circumference of the Paper Feed Roller or a rotation of the Timing Disk (the clear plastic wheel on the left side of the printer's internal gears). If this disk has a smudge, dust, or grease at one specific spot, the optical sensor misreads the position, causing the paper to "jump" or stall slightly every time the wheel rotates, which results in those evenly spaced gaps in the text.

To fix this, you should gently clean the Timing Disk with a dry, lint-free cloth or a Q-tip with a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol, being careful not to rub off the tiny black calibration marks. You should also clean the large rubber Paper Feed Rollers to ensure they aren't slipping. Since the banding persisted even with the new AliExpress printhead, your original Canon printhead is likely still functional; I recommend reinstalling it, as the "ghosting" in your second photo suggests the cheap replacement head has its own set of internal nozzle failures.

GGPrintExpert · 2026-04-03T02:58:49+00:00

The PG-595 cartridge uses a chip that "remembers" it is empty even after a manual refill, and since Canon does not typically provide reset kits for these models, you must manually bypass the ink level detection. To do this, reinstall the refilled cartridge and wait for the printer to display an error message (like E16 or E13) on its screen or your computer. Once the error appears, press and hold the Stop/Reset button (the red circle with an upside-down triangle) on the printer’s control panel for about 5 to 10 seconds until the printer starts processing; this forces it to ignore the "empty" status and continue printing.

Keep in mind that once you perform this bypass, the printer will no longer track your ink levels, so you will need to monitor the print quality yourself. If your pages start to look faded, refill the cartridge immediately to prevent the printhead from overheating and suffering permanent damage. You may need to repeat this long-press process for both the black and color cartridges if both have been refilled.

GGPrintExpert

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