Is my Canon PIXMA MX922 inkjet printer printhead kaput?

[pm-r]

Strange printing problem with our Networked wireless Canon PIXMA MX922 inkjet printer that is no longer able to print black.
I printed out a 50+ page PDF file I was sent by email last week, and it seem to print out okay. On the weekend I did my usual printer maintenance routine of printing out a test page or two to make sure the ink doesn't dry up on the printhead. I was rather surprised that there was no sign of Black Ink on the resulting printed test page.

The same thing occurred with a test page I have set up using various text blocks and colour filled boxes created with pages. Everything prints out except anything to do with black ink.

As an extra step, I tried printing a few pages of the apparent black text of the 50 page PDF file I was sent and strangely enough it seems to print out fine, so I am assuming that the actual text is not actually black but just to a combination of dark inks that makes it appear so. It came from a Windows user.

I would find it surprising that the print head is plugged from lack of use as I use the test pages to keep it clear and print at least a couple of pages once a week to keep it so.

Nothing that I can show using the file contains block ink and or black text will print. So is the print head caput and replacing it seems to be out of the question and not a very successful operation from comments on the web. I am quite disappointed and discouraged with the Canon printer as this is the second printer we have gone through due to print head problems but in all fairness it is a few years old but certainly does not get the use as a SoHO designed printer and the amount of printing it was supposed to produce.

I think I will look for an old used Brother inkjet whose print heads seem to last quite a bit longer.

Is there any point in trying to remove the printhead and soak it or do I just Kiss It Goodbye and replace it with a working Wireless printer?



- Patrick
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[Randy B. Singer]

As an extra step, I tried printing a few pages of the apparent black text of the 50 page PDF file I was sent and strangely enough it seems to print out fine, so I am assuming that the actual text is not actually black but just to a combination of dark inks that makes it appear so. It came from a Windows user.

I would find it surprising that the print head is plugged from lack of use as I use the test pages to keep it clear and print at least a couple of pages once a week to keep it so.

Well, first, the MX922 uses a five ink cartridge system. There are TWO black ink cartridges. One is pigment black (for printing black text), and one is dye-based black (for printing true black in graphics.) So, the MX922 doesn't print text using a mixture of colors, it has a black ink cartridge specifically for printing true black text. If you print a lot more text documents than graphics, your pigment black cartridge will become empty way before your other ink cartridges.

Second, the MX922, unlike some other brands of inkjet printer, doesn't have the printheads in the cartridges. The printhead is a separate part that stays with the printer, not the cartridge. So, it's extremely unlikely that a clogged printhead is the cause of only one color not printing.

My guess is that one or the other of your black cartridges is either empty, or defective. You can replace all five cartridges cheaply:

Canon PGI-250XL & CLI-251XL High-Yield Compatible Ink Cartridge 5-Pack Combo
$15
https://www.inkjets.com/canon-pgi-250xl-cli-251xl-5-pack.html

If replacing the cartridges doesn't make your printer print like-new, it's always dead easy to remove the print head and soak it overnight in alcohol and windex with amonia. Here are the instructions:

MX922 clean printhead
https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART143853

The MX922 may have been the finest multi-function inkjet-based printer ever made in its price range. It's worth anything that you can do to keep it running. Fortunately, it's cheap and easy to care for.

 

[pm-r]

Well, first, the MX922 uses a five ink cartridge system. There are TWO black ink cartridges. One is pigment black (for printing black text), and one is dye-based black (for printing true black in graphics.) So, the MX922 doesn't print text using a mixture of colors, it has a black ink cartridge specifically for printing true black text. If you print a lot more text documents than graphics, your pigment black cartridge will become empty way before your other ink cartridges.

Thank you Randy for your reply and I am hoping you may have a solution to get my Canon PIXMA MX922 inkjet printer printing normal tax documents using black ink.

I am quite aware of how the different black cartridges work when printing and all I know is that suddenly the printer no longer prints black text on Plain paper from any application or file that I have on hand. The exception being the PDF file I was sent from a Windows user prints in what appears to be black, but I suspect is just using dark colored inks that appears to be black.

I did not try printing to any photo grade paper, but only did test prints using plain paper as I normally use.

Here is a screenshot of what the test print should look like, and a printout of the actual print test I tried and this was done after another cartridge replacement using brand new cartridges. In fact I tried a third time with brand new black cartridges, granted they were from a new company that I hadn't used before, Smart InK.

After many multiple cleaning and deep cleaning attempts, the ink must be getting from the cartridge to the printhead as the consumed ink level shows that about 1/16th-1/8th of the ink has been consumed during the cleaning processes.

Here are what the test print printout should look like and a shot of the results they actually get:


As you can see there is absolutely no block ink results showing.

As good as the Canon PIXMA MX922 inkjet printer is supposed to be, I'm about to give up on trying to find a solution and maybe you could suggest something else I could try that I haven't tried already.

The Smart Ink support technicians have no advice that has worked.

You seem to think there is hope of getting a simple fix and if so I would love to know what it is. At this point, I am rather frustrated and I have already tried all of the suggestions you included above but hopefully, there's one that has been forgotten to try. You should phone that woman



- Patrick
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[Randy B. Singer]

... have already tried all of the suggestions you included above ...

Did the replacement cartridge from the new supplier include a clone of the Canon chip that comes in their ink cartridges?

Did you try removing the printhead and soaking it overnight in cleaning solution?

Have you tried calling Canon tech support? I've always found them to be very helpful.

 

[pm-r]

Did the replacement cartridge from the new supplier include a clone of the Canon chip that comes in their ink cartridges?

I assume the new cartridges were just like the previous brands I had used and any chips were included and as they should have been and there was no comment or error from the printer complaining about the cartridges. Even the cleaning level went down substantially after multiple cleanings in their supply level indicator. So presumably the ink got down to the printhead.

I was careful not to run too many deep cleaning Cycles consecutively to prevent overheating of the print head which apparently can happen.

Did you try removing the printhead and soaking it overnight in cleaning solution?

I was not able to remove the print head as it seemed to require a lot more Brute Force then I was able to apply with my Rheumatic arthritic hands that just can't Supply enough pulling power. I shall get my son to try the next time he is over visiting.

I didn't see very many good comments for those who had replaced the print head but maybe you know of more positive success whether it would be worth trying or not. Theme to very excessively from around $25 up to over $300, and no real guarantee that they will work which seems a bit odd.

Have you tried calling Canon tech support? I've always found them to be very helpful.

I didn't bother calling Canon tech support as their discussion forum seems to have covered the question but unfortunately no real definitive positive solution was provided. My previous attempts with a different previous printing problem resulted in the suggestion that replacing the print head would probably not fix the problem and to just buy a replacement new printer.
Granted that was about 7 years ago, but I don't think the situation has changed drastically in that time and the same problem seemed to reoccur. The solution and suggestion always seems to be replaced the printer when it goes Goofy.

I would definitely suspect the print head has malfunctioned either mechanically or electronically and they are certainly a complicated and involved peace of the printer.

Unfortunately, I have also created a secondary problem by following Apple's recommendation to reset the printer system if no other Solutions have worked to fix the problem and now I cannot get my iMac to even recognize the printer and so far resetting it back to factory settings has not worked nor attempts to reconnect it to our wireless router.

I am looking at just replacing the Canon mx922 with a used printer but I would prefer to keep the Canon MX 922 working as it is a much better printer, at least in theory if and when it was working, but I have never really utilised the full potential of its colour printing so I don't really need anything extra elaborate just the colour printer that works and prints and scans. I've only used it stocks capability about a dozen times up most, so it's not critical either and the places using faxes these days is getting less and less, but the medical doctors and pharmacies still seem to like using them.

Anyway, Thanks for the follow-up suggestions. And I wouldn't mind your thoughts or experiences of actually replacing the printhead at a reasonable cost as it seems to be the broken link that is causing all the problems and seems to be a common problem with most consumer printers that use a separate printhead.

Unfortunately, the local printer repair business guy that did excellent repair work on all brands of printers is no longer in business here and no one ever replaced him. We are definitely into a throwaway and recycle Society effects of places have gone into history.



- Patrick
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[Randy B. Singer]

I wouldn't mind your thoughts or experiences of actually replacing the printhead at a reasonable cost as it seems to be the broken link that is causing all the problems and seems to be a common problem with most consumer printers that use a separate printhead.

I've never had to replace a printhead in my own, or anyone else's MX922. If one becomes clogged, I take it out and soak it overnight in a mixture of high concentration rubbing alcohol and Windex with ammonia. One has to be extremely careful not to get the electronics attached to the printhead wet, or even touch them. After soaking the printhead should be rinsed with water until the water comes clean. (Don't let the electronics get wet!) If that doesn't clean it, repeat the process. Keep on doing it until you've soaked the printhead and the cleaning solution remains clean.

The spring that holds in the printhead is indeed tight. Apply what seems to be too much force and it will snap open nicely.

The MX922 was discontinued years ago. The replacement for the MX922 is:

Canon TR8620a
$179
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TRZLPXP/?tag=macforums0e4-20
(the "a" model includes AirPrint.)

It's worth keeping your MX922 working if you can.

 

[pm-r]

I've never had to replace a printhead in my own, or anyone else's MX922. If one becomes clogged, I take it out and soak it overnight in a mixture of high concentration rubbing alcohol and Windex with ammonia. ...

It's worth keeping your MX922 working if you can.

Thanks again for your further positive comments Randy, it gives me a glimmer of hope that my mx922 can be brought to normal working life.

Glancing over several of the web pages outlining the specific cleaning stages, they don't seem too concerned about getting the print head wet in fact many of them show them completely submerged and also running them under running water without any ill effects. I also don't see how you could clean them properly without getting water on the inside.

Anyway I think it's worth my while and your positive comments give me hope that the cleaning process just may work.

These are some of the web pages I glanced at, and maybe you have some additional thoughts and comments and your experience cleaning these specific printer printheads:

how to soak Color Print Head for Canon mx922 - Google Search

Canon MX922 Printhead Cleaning - EXEYE Software Tools Inc

A technique that might fix a clogged printhead on a Canon MX922 printer, and probably other models.

exeyesoftware.com

Now to attempt to get the print head out of the printer again when I have a chance or maybe I'll just wait until my son comes over and see if he can't pull it out. It sure seems awfully tight and I can't budge it, probably due to my weak rheumatoid arthritic hands. Maybe I could get some water pliers to grip the printhead and make the removal easier.



- Patrick
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[Randy B. Singer]

...I also don't see how you could clean them properly without getting water on the inside.

The electronics are on the top of the assembly, the heads are on the bottom. Dip the bottom in the solution, leave the top dry. Rinse the bottom with water, leave the top dry.

Have you ever heard of exposed electronics, especially electrical contacts, that are just fine when you get them wet? Neither have I.

Maybe I could get some water pliers to grip the printhead and make the removal easier.

NO!!! Don't use tools to take out the printhead. It's designed to come out with your fingers. Follow Canon's instructions to the letter, or you will destroy it trying to remove it.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I was stunned to find that Wal-Mart carries a replacement printhead for the MX922 for only $24:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/QY6-0086...ad-Replacement-Kit-For-MX922-MX928/5130687088

This is by far the lowest price for one that I've ever seen, and it comes with Wal-Mart's satisfaction guaranty.

 

[pm-r]

Have you ever heard of exposed electronics, especially electrical contacts, that are just fine when you get them wet? Neither have I.

I hear you. I was quite surprised that several articles mentioned soaking the whole print head as I was always under the understanding the electronics and water do not mix.

Using the good quality of alcohol and making sure the print head is completely dry would probably help as well, just in case there was some moisture or water lurking around the electronics.

I was stunned to find that Wal-Mart carries a replacement printhead for the MX922 for only $24:

I was also quite surprised to find such listings on the Walmart Canada site, and equally surprising to find the prices are at least the same or less than the prices listed at the US site. The same goes for amazon.ca and some of the listings there:

Color Print Head Replacement for Canon mx922... (Canada site) Now $23.17 You save $23.17 was $46.34 ​

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B9G2VFDY/

Kabuda QY6-0086 Color Print Head Printer Print Head Replacement Kit For MX922 | Walmart Canada

Kabuda QY6-0086 Color Print Head Printer Print Head Replacement Kit For MX922 | Walmart Canada

www.walmart.ca

Printhead, Clear Printing No Clogging Printer Print Head Replacement Kit, ABS Material Durable Print Head Printer Accessories For QY6-0086 MX920 MX924 MX928 IX6770 IX6780 - Walmart.ca

Buy Printhead, Clear Printing No Clogging Printer Print Head Replacement Kit, ABS Material Durable Print Head Printer Accessories For QY6-0086 MX920 MX924 MX928 IX6770 IX6780 from Walmart Canada. Shop for more Printer Ink available online at Walmart.ca

www.walmart.ca

Unfortunately some of the purchased comments or not 100% positive. But I guess that is to be expected, but it's always good to have guaranteed protection of properly working product regardless of the purchase place and price.

It seems like a good possibility to try and it won't break the bank too much having a spare clean print head ready to go assuming a replacement printhead fixes the problem.

It would be nice to get the mx922 back into good operating shape as it was an excellent printer when it was working properly, and it has served as well since I bought it at a super special discounted price in 2017. I guess that's when they were starting to discontinue the unit.

PS: my understanding for those cheap print heads from amazon.ca or walmart.ca usually ship from China or similar countries and take about 3± weeks for delivery. That's okay as long as somebody is guaranteeing that they work properly and full money back on a return. Might be worth the investment and just in case the printhead cleaning doesn't work on the original printhead.


- Patrick
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[pm-r]

The electronics are on the top of the assembly, the heads are on the bottom. Dip the bottom in the solution, leave the top dry. Rinse the bottom with water, leave the top dry.

Well, unfortunately, a three-plus printhead soak in a solution of distilled water alcohol and ammonia and a final rinse and distilled water finishing with 99% alcohol and left to dry thoroughly didn't help revive the large PGBK cartridge and print head printing, but the colours are all great.

The support department at Smart Ink were generous and kind enough to send me a whole complete multiple cartridge kit of new ink to help solve the problem in case the older ink was too old or something, but unfortunately it did not help and even some deep cleaning of the large black cartridge did not help so I assume the print head is kaput and definitely not operational and much more than plugged ink, so I will await the arrival of the replacement printhead which should arrive sometime next week and hopefully it will work as they say it was fully tested before shipping.

I have no idea what might have caused the printhead to fail but it is the second Canon printer I have had where it's text printing has failed which doesn't leave me very impressed.

So for the interim, I purchased a used Brother MFC-J1012DW Wireless Colour Inkjet All-in-One Printer and it is now working quite well. Funny though, the seller said she bought it for her mother who needed to be able to fax back and forth with her doctor and Drug Store and the printer was not used. But that doesn't account for it arriving with the yellow cartridge completely empty and the other colours and black with maybe 20% printing left as a maximum amount. Funny that the ink would actually use that much when it wasn't even used as a printer yet the printer was filled with some personal Flyers they had printed. Anyway it worked and the price was right and it doesn't use a Canon printhead, but one has to agree to proceed if one wants to use the third party ink cartridges I bought to use in it, but a bit of nagging is worthwhile saying that they work well and cost a fraction of what the real Brother ink cartridges cost.

It's unfortunate that they ink cartridges on such printer can be anywhere near as reliable or last as long as an old HP 4ml laser printer I hadn't used for years and only needed to buy one cartridge which was still working well when I had to retire the printer. And that was because Apple dropped Apple talk with a system update from OS 10.5 I believe it was the last version that used it, but I also had to use an Asante talk adapter for the Apple DIN printer connection, but it still carried on working well, but Snow Leopard 10.6 was just too good not to upgrade to.
So for any others needing a printer on the cheap, have a look at your local FB Marketplace, there seem to be quite a selection of still good working printers for regional price, at least there were for our area.

Now I hope the replacement print head works when it arrives so I can get my Canon Pixma mx922 back printing black again.

But if any member knows how to recover a dead black printing print head besides the soaking treatment I'd be interesting in hearing their suggestions.




- Patrick
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