If you receive an error message stating that the “alignment failed” or that the ”alignment could not be completed”, this may indicate that the printer is not properly recognizing the cartridge.

Remove the cartridge from your printer and locate the chip. Ensure that the chip is in place; and if so, you will want to clean it from any obstruction or debris as this may be preventing the alignment from completing.

Using a lint free cloth (such as a coffee filter), gently wipe the chip to remove any obstruction or debris.

Please also gently pull the tab on the front of the cartridge to help the cartridge fit into the printer properly.

Reinstall your cartridge into the printer (making sure it clicks into place), and attempt the alignment process again.

If the error continues, it may be necessary to perform a cleaning cycle to improve the quality of the print and allow the alignment process to be completed. Every printer is different so please consult your printer’s user manual for instructions on performing a cleaning cycle on your printer.

If you are not able to perform a cleaning cycle or if the alignment fails even after performing a cleaning cycle, please ensure that the scanner glass is clean and free from fingerprints or debris (this applies to certain models only).

If these steps do not allow the printer to align the cartridge(s), you will need to return the cartridge(s) to the place of purchase.

If you encounter a series of blinking lights or an error stating that a cartridge is missing or damaged, please attempt the following procedures as possible solutions to correct the problem. (Your printer manual will indicate how many times your printer will flash to show the cartridge is not being recognized.)

Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.

When you open the printer lid, you will see that the cartridge that is not being recognized does not have a red light in front of it. Remove that cartridge from its cradle.

Once the cartridge is removed, confirm that there is a chip intact and in the correct location.

If the chip is missing, you should return the cartridge to its place of purchase.

If the chip is in place, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error. 

• To clean the chip you may use a pencil eraser. 
• Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris. 
• Or, you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter. 
• Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris. 

Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle. You should now see a solid red light in front of that cartridge.

Close the lid, and the flashing light should be gone.

If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.

• This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed. 
• Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes. 
• Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again. 

If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.

To install your remanufactured cartridge in your printer, begin by removing the old cartridge from the printer.

Next, remove the protective tape over the print nozzles.  It is normal for some residual ink to appear on the tape when it is removed.

Now your cartridge may be installed into the printer.

*The cartridge and printer shown may vary from yours, but the general installation instructions are the same.

If you have just installed a remanufactured cartridge and the ink levels display as low or empty, there may be a solution for this problem.

Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.

Once the cartridge is removed, confirm that there is a chip intact and in the correct location.

• If the chip is missing, you should return the cartridge to its place of purchase. 
• If the chip is in place, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error. 

To clean the chip you may use a pencil eraser.

• Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris. 
• Or, you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter. 
• Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris. 
• Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle. 

If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.

This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed. Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes. Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again.

If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.

If you encounter a low ink message after the cartridge has been installed for a period of time, simply follow the directions displayed on your computer or printer screen to clear the error.

• Often this is pressing and holding down the Stop/Reset or Resume button for 10 seconds. Once the error is cleared, you should replace your cartridge as soon as possible.

If you have removed the pull tab and clip from the cartridge but it does not "snap" into place, there is a simple solution to fix this.

• Gently pull the tab on the front of the cartridge. 
• Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place. 
• Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear. 

If your cartridge is still not fitting into the machine, you will need to confirm that you have been given the correct cartridge for your printer.

Please visit our Printer Compatibility page to determine which cartridge you need for your machine.

If you encounter a series of blinking lights or an error stating that a cartridge is missing or damaged, please attempt the following procedures as possible solutions to correct the problem. (Your printer manual will indicate how many times your printer will flash to show the cartridge is not being recognized.)

Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.

When you open the printer lid, you will see that the cartridge that is not being recognized does not have a red light in front of it. Remove that cartridge from its cradle.

Once the cartridge is removed, confirm that there is a chip intact and in the correct location.

If the chip is missing, you should return the cartridge to its place of purchase.

If the chip is in place, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error. 

• To clean the chip you may use a pencil eraser. 
• Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris. 
• Or, you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter. 
• Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris. 

Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle. You should now see a solid red light in front of that cartridge.

Close the lid, and the flashing light should be gone.

If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.

• This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed. 
• Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes. 
• Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again. 

If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.

If you have printed a document and are unsatisfied with the print quality, first ensure that you have removed the tape that covers the ink port on the cartridge.

If you have already removed the tape and the print quality is still unsatisfactory, you may need to perform a cleaning cycle in order to improve the quality of your print.

To perform a cleaning cycle, please do the following:

• Double click the Canon Solution Menu on your desktop. 
• Click on Change Settings or Find Solutions to Problems. 
• Click on Troubleshooting. 
• Click on Cleaning. 
• Click Execute. 

You may also access this screen through your computer’s Control Panel.

• On your computer screen, press the Start Button. 
• Select Printers and Faxes. 
• Right click on your Printer Icon.
• Select Properties.
• Click on Properties.
• Click on Maintenance.
• Click Cleaning. 
• Click Execute. 

You will now observe your printer performing a cleaning cycle.

When the cleaning cycle is complete, click Print Check Pattern.

If the quality of the Check Pattern is satisfactory, click exit.

If the quality is still unsatisfactory, you may choose to do a Deep Cleaning.

• Please be aware that cleaning your printhead does consume ink; and therefore, should only be completed when necessary. 

Once the cleaning cycle has been completed, you will want to print a test page to see if the print quality has improved.

If the print on your test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.

If your test page is unsatisfactory after performing the cleaning cycles, you may need to replace your inkjet cartridge.