Canon Printer Cleaning & Deep Cleaning: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Dull colors, banding, missing lines, paper smudges, or frequent paper jams often mean your printer needs maintenance. This guide covers:

• Quick software cleaning (Nozzle Check, Cleaning, Deep Cleaning)
• Manual deep cleaning for removable print heads (inkjet)
• Cleaning for FINE cartridge models (print head in the cartridge)
• Roller & bottom plate cleaning (paper smudge fix)
• Laser printer (imageCLASS) cleaning
• Prevention tips and FAQs

Before you start:

• Identify your type: Inkjet: PIXMA, MAXIFY (uses liquid ink). Laser: imageCLASS (uses toner).
• Inkjet: PIXMA, MAXIFY (uses liquid ink).
• Laser: imageCLASS (uses toner).
• Check your inkjet head style: FINE cartridge models (e.g., PG/CL, PGI/CLI that come as combined head+cartridge): the nozzles are built into the cartridge. Removable print-head models: cartridges sit on a separate print head you can remove and clean.
• FINE cartridge models (e.g., PG/CL, PGI/CLI that come as combined head+cartridge): the nozzles are built into the cartridge.
• Removable print-head models: cartridges sit on a separate print head you can remove and clean.

What You’ll Need

• Lint-free cloths or coffee filters
• Distilled or deionized water (never tap if possible)
• Cotton swabs
• Small shallow dish
• Optional (stubborn clogs): 70–90% isopropyl alcohol (use sparingly)
• Gloves and paper towels

Warranty note: Excessive manual cleaning or third-party fluids may void warranty. If your device is under warranty, try software methods first.

Part 1 — Quick Clean (Inkjet): Use Built-In Maintenance

1) Print a Nozzle Check

• On the printer: Menu → Maintenance → Nozzle Check (names vary slightly).
• Or on PC/Mac: Printers & Scanners → Canon [model] → Preferences/Options → Maintenance → Nozzle Check.
• Interpret: If any color grid has gaps or broken lines, continue.

2) Run Cleaning

• Maintenance → Cleaning (normal/standard).
• Wait for completion (1–2 minutes), then Nozzle Check again.

3) Run Deep Cleaning (only if needed)

• Maintenance → Deep Cleaning (uses more ink).
• Wait, then Nozzle Check.
• Tip: Don’t run Deep Cleaning more than 2–3 times in a row—let the printer rest 10–15 minutes between runs to dissolve dried ink.

4) Optional: Ink Flush / System Cleaning (if available)

• A stronger purge on some models. Use sparingly—this consumes a lot of ink.

5) Head Alignment

• After cleaning, run Maintenance → Print Head Alignment to fix minor banding.

Part 2 — Manual Deep Clean (Inkjet with Removable Print Head)

Only for models where the print head is separate from the ink cartridges.

1. Power off & unplug. Open the access door, remove cartridges, and lift the gray latch to remove the print head.
2. Pre-rinse: Moisten a lint-free cloth with warm distilled water and gently dab the underside (nozzle plate). Do not touch gold contacts.
3. Soak: Place the print head nozzle-side down in a shallow dish with warm distilled water (just enough to cover the nozzles, not the contacts). Soak 15–30 minutes. For stubborn clogs, after water soak, you may try a few drops of 70–90% isopropyl alcohol on a swab around the nozzle plate—avoid flooding the electronics.
4. For stubborn clogs, after water soak, you may try a few drops of 70–90% isopropyl alcohol on a swab around the nozzle plate—avoid flooding the electronics.
5. Drain & dry: Lift out, blot the nozzle plate on a clean coffee filter, and let air-dry at least 1–2 hours (longer is better).
6. Reinstall & prime: Refit the head, lock the latch, reinstall cartridges, power on.
7. Run Cleaning → Nozzle Check, then Deep Cleaning only if needed.
8. Align the head.

Avoid: Hot water, excessive alcohol, or scrubbing the nozzle plate.

Part 3 — Deep Clean for FINE Cartridge Models (Head Built Into Cartridge)

If your model uses cartridges that have the nozzles built in:

1. Try software Cleaning/Deep Cleaning first (Part 1).
2. Manual cartridge soak (optional): Remove the cartridge and hold the nozzle area to a warm distilled-water-dampened coffee filter to wick out dried ink. For very stubborn clogs, rest just the nozzle area on a shallow pad soaked with warm distilled water for 5–10 minutes. Don’t submerge the chip/contacts.
3. Remove the cartridge and hold the nozzle area to a warm distilled-water-dampened coffee filter to wick out dried ink.
4. For very stubborn clogs, rest just the nozzle area on a shallow pad soaked with warm distilled water for 5–10 minutes. Don’t submerge the chip/contacts.
5. Dry thoroughly, reinstall, then run Cleaning → Nozzle Check.
6. If still poor, replace the cartridge—on FINE systems, a new cartridge = new print head.

Part 4 — Paper Path: Roller & Bottom Plate Cleaning (Smudges)

Ink smears or gray streaks often come from a dirty paper path.

Roller Cleaning (software)

• Maintenance → Roller Cleaning. The printer will feed paper to wipe rollers.

Bottom Plate Cleaning

• Fold a plain A4/Letter sheet’s leading edge 1–2 cm.
• Maintenance → Bottom Plate Cleaning, insert the folded sheet as directed.
• Repeat with a fresh sheet if smudges persist.

Manual Wipe (if needed)

1. Power off/unplug. Remove rear cassette/cover (if accessible).
2. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water and wipe visible feed rollers while slowly turning them by hand.
3. Let dry 10 minutes before printing.

Part 5 — Canon Laser (imageCLASS) Cleaning (Toner-Based)

1. Power off & unplug. Open the printer and remove the toner cartridge.
2. Tap to redistribute toner gently if prints are light (keep cartridge level).
3. Clean the corona wire (if your cartridge has a slider): move the blue/green tab fully left-to-right several times, then return it to the home mark.
4. Dust removal: Use a toner-safe vacuum or a dry lint-free cloth to remove loose toner. Do not use alcohol on rollers.
5. Transfer roller & rollers: If accessible, gently wipe with a dry lint-free cloth—avoid touching with bare fingers.
6. Reinstall toner, close the printer, and run any built-in Cleaning routine from the control panel.
7. Print a demo/config page to verify.

Safety: Toner is a fine powder—avoid inhalation; never use household vacuums (they can disperse toner).

Troubleshooting Quick Map

• Gaps in one color only: Clean, Deep Clean; check that color’s cartridge isn’t empty or expired.
• Persistent missing lines after deep clean: Manual head soak (removable heads) or replace FINE cartridge.
• Ink smudges on paper edge: Bottom Plate Cleaning.
• Frequent jams or skew: Clean rollers; fan and load paper correctly; check paper guides.
• Very light laser prints: Redistribute toner, clean corona wire, replace cartridge if low.

Preventing Future Clogs & Smudges

• Print weekly: A small color test page keeps nozzles wet.
• Use quality paper & store sealed.
• Keep cartridges above 20–25% to avoid air ingestion.
• Power off via the printer button (lets it cap/park the head).
• Environment: Avoid heat, dust, and direct sun.
• Update drivers/firmware for maintenance features and fixes.

FAQs

How many deep cleans are safe? Up to 2–3 in a session, with 10–15 minutes between. More can overheat the head and waste ink.

Is isopropyl alcohol safe? Use sparingly on the nozzle plate only after a water soak. Avoid electronics, seals, and sponge areas.

When should I replace the print head? If a removable head still fails the nozzle check after proper soaking and multiple cycles, or you see physical damage, consider replacement. For FINE models, replacing the cartridge replaces the head.

Summary Checklist

• Run Nozzle Check → Cleaning → Nozzle Check
• If needed: Deep Cleaning (rest between runs)
• For ink smears: Roller/Bottom Plate Cleaning
• For stubborn clogs: Manual head soak (removable) or replace FINE cartridge
• For laser: Clean corona wire, dust, and test