Printer problem - can anyone offer advice?

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 05:58:49 AM · #1

I've been trying to print some forms that I need to hand in within the next couple of days (I had planned to do it today) but I'm struggling.

Lately my printouts have come with very peculiar colouring, mainly green and yellow, with not a trace of black. So I went out and bought a new ink cartridge - black photo ink. I wasn't sure that was needed for printing on plain paper, but it was the only cartridge that was showing as being low.

After several failed attempts at printing the forms, I've just printed a test sheet from my printer settings, and the black portion looks fine, but the colour section isn't right. That wouldn't really matter for my current requirements but that's not what's happening when I try to print the forms.

My first attempt was almost useable, but by default it didn't quite fit on the page. As soon as I tried to adjust the size to fit, the resulting printouts were so faded they were unusable, and it some cases I was even getting blank pages.

I'm contemplating going out to buy a new printer, but I'm wondering whether that's the solution of whether my computer is to blame.

Does anyone have any suggestions that could solve the problem?

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

01/08/2024 07:37:19 AM · #2

I really don't have any advice -- but maybe more info would help the more equipment knowledgeable people.

1. What brand of printer?
2. Does it have a "clean print head" option in the maintenance section, and have you tried that?
3. From what program are you printing?

That's about the extent of my knowledge.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 08:36:34 AM · #3

Thanks Wendy.

1. It's an ancient Canon three-in-one - MG5140.
2. I don't think cleaning the heads will help because the black prints properly on the test sheet. I'm not too concerned about the colour because I usually print in black and white.
3. I've tried several programs - the print picture instruction straight from the folder, Photoshop, windows Photo Gallery. I'm not sure if there were any others. Nothing seems to work.

Edit: I'm not sure if it's relevant but the forms are saved as both jpg and psd files.

Message edited by author 2024-01-08 08:39:07.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

01/08/2024 09:12:36 AM · #4

I wish I had some ideas -- it does sound like it's dying, but I'm not that much of a printer person, so maybe there's something I'm missing.

As far as it not fitting on the page and then it printing faded:

1. if you scaled it in the printing section, try scaling it in photoshop instead and then printing
2. Or if that's where you scaled it, try scaling it in the printing section instead?

Wish I could help more, but you've tapped my knowledge.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 09:30:58 AM · #5

After cleaning the printer heads I was able to print the forms satisfactorily. It turned out that the Magenta print heads were totally blocked.

Unfortunately the image that has to accompany them came out full of streaks in both mono and colour. I cleaned the heads again, and the next attempt was even worse.

What's quite disturbing is that I was having minor problems with streaks already two years ago and at the time I decided to buy a new 3-in-1 machine. I had the same problem, so I returned it. The only thing that makes me believe it's not a computer problem is that the streaky pictures were copied straight from my scanner to my printer.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 09:53:38 AM · #6

I followed a link to tech help from justanswer.com and the technician's assistant asked me a few questions, but before I could be connected to the technician I was told to fill in a form and pay a fee (apparently refundable). I don't want to give them my credit card details, so I didn't do it.

01/08/2024 10:13:47 AM · #7

Sounds like it is trying to print with process black. Which is an attempt at black using cyan, yellow and magenta. That usually results in a dark green cast and is why printers also include black ink.

You may have to dig into the settings of your driver.

Added: I see you partially resolved it.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 10:53:49 AM · #8

Thanks Steve. Unfortunately it is only partially. I can take the picture to a shop to get copies made so it's not so bad. But I'll probably end up buying a new printer. After my previous attempt, it won't be Canon though.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/08/2024 11:55:08 AM · #9

This kind of issue is certainly not specific to Canon, or to any specific brand for that matter. Inkjet printers in general are prone to this kind of issue, especially when they are little-used. I got so frustrated with my last inkjet that I defenestrated it. I replaced it with a basic monochrome laser that has provided perfect service for more than 15 years now. It's also many times faster than any inkjet. Rarely do I miss the color printer.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 12:33:59 PM · #10

Thanks Fritz. I'll have to see what laser printers are available. Does the ink last well if one rarely does any printing?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/08/2024 12:55:13 PM · #11

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Thanks Fritz. I'll have to see what laser printers are available. Does the ink last well if one rarely does any printing?

Yep. I think in the 15 or so years we have had our current low-buck laser, I've changed ink at most half a dozen times, probably less. I think I changed the drum once as well. FWIW the printer is a Brother HL2170W, which is a discontinued model. I think we paid about $130 USD for it when we bought it. I am seeing the HL2350 for about $150 currently, so prices have not changed much. Disclaimer: I have not done *any* research on the reliability of the newer model.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/08/2024 01:11:43 PM · #12

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

But I'll probably end up buying a new printer. After my previous attempt, it won't be Canon though.

That printer is a decade old. That's centureis in electronics time.

The fact that it's that old and still works at all and can be seen by your computer is amazing.

If anything, that should sway you to another Canon.

I have an old 6200 series Pixma I inherited through a system changeover right after another printer of mine bit the dust.

I just hooked it up to see if I could use it to get by 'til I got a new HP.

That was well over a year ago and it still works fine.

I'm pretty much a serious HP fanboy, but next printer I buy will most likely be a Canon.

YMMV.....

Message edited by author 2024-01-08 13:12:27.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/08/2024 01:15:29 PM · #13

Originally posted by kirbic:

Yeah, I'm pretty much done with inkjet printers for all my basic office type printing.

We bought a cheap laser jet at least five years ago and we've put one cartridge in it.

IAmEliKatz

Nikon D5

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

01/08/2024 01:48:52 PM · #14

Laser Jet, Office Jet, .. I sell IT during the day and when people ask me for reco's i usually tell them to go to Amazon, sort by price and reviews (at least for everyday printing). and or buy from somewhere with a great return policy.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 01:48:52 PM · #15

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:
But I'll probably end up buying a new printer. After my previous attempt, it won't be Canon though.

That printer is a decade old. That's centureis in electronics time.

The fact that it's that old and still works at all and can be seen by your computer is amazing.

If anything, that should sway you to another Canon.

My problem with Canon isn't that this printer is misbehaving. It's that the replacement I bought two years ago wouldn't print without streaks straight out of the box. That one was Canon too.

-------

I've been looking to see what inexpensive laser printers I can find online. So far I've looked at two. One is a Brother HL-1210W with WiFi. Trouble is one of the customer reviews says "you have to have 2.4ghz wifi enabled to print, can't print on 5ghz". I think my modem falls somewhere between the two and I don't trust myself to change the setting.

The other, cheaper, option is a Pantum P2512W with WiFi. I haven't read much about it yet, but I've never heard of Pantum before and the site which has it online only offer a 6-Month Limited Warranty. I can get it at a shop for a higher price (still less than the Brother) with a 2 year warranty. I'm just not sure I trust it.

I've just found a Canon i-SENSYS LBP6030B online for a bit more. Haven't read about it yet and I'm already running late for dinner.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 01:51:35 PM · #16

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

I live in South Africa so buying from Amazon isn't an option. The mail would cost a fortune.

I actually bought my camera from Amazon because I couldn't find it locally. It's giving me a few problems and would have to be sent to Portugal for repair.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/08/2024 04:03:19 PM · #17

The Canon LBP6030B seems to be a well-regarded unit and also seems to be current. The Brother 1210W is about as old as my 2170W, relatively ancient in the scheme of things. With regard to the WiFi frequency, the older printers (like the 2170W and the 1210W) will use the 2.4 GHz band. Newer ones may be capable of using the 5 GHz band, but may also be compatible with 2.4. I also have never heard of Pantum, and frankly I would not buy a laser printer from a supplier that I didn't have confidence would be around in the long term.
There is no in-between wireless frequency, only 2.4 or 5.0 GHz. The 5 GHz band is faster but also has less range. For printing, there is really very little benefit to running it on 5 GHz.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/08/2024 06:47:49 PM · #18

Shows how little I know about wireless. I just remember having a phone problem (with my so-called landline) and the shop fixed it by changing the frequency. I also have a robot vacuum cleaner with has wifi but is incompatible with my modem.

Originally posted by kirbic:

I'll definitely consider the Canon then. No point buying such old technology. I'm really pleased I mentioned the model numbers.

01/08/2024 10:51:30 PM · #19

Originally posted by kirbic:

This kind of issue is certainly not specific to Canon, or to any specific brand for that matter. Inkjet printers in general are prone to this kind of issue, especially when they are little-used.

Tell me about it! I work on and do tech support for inkjet printers the size of cars in my day job (Transitioned out of copiers a few years ago). A common problem is someone buys what they think is a great deal on a used machine at an auction or Ebay, but they don't realize it was turned off and pushed into a corner for a year without being prepped for storage. Occasionally I will have been called before they buy it and can advise them what to look for. Other times I can only advise them they bought an awkward and environmentally unfriendly boat anchor.

01/08/2024 10:53:19 PM · #20

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Thanks Fritz. I'll have to see what laser printers are available. Does the ink last well if one rarely does any printing?

At home I have a b/w Samsung printer that I bought at least 10 years ago, maybe more. I can still get toner for it and it does what I need at home. Though it has wireless built in, it is close to my network switch, so I have it on Ethernet. Rock solid reliable that way.

Message edited by author 2024-01-08 22:57:37.

01/08/2024 10:54:49 PM · #21

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

My problem with Canon isn't that this printer is misbehaving. It's that the replacement I bought two years ago wouldn't print without streaks straight out of the box. That one was Canon too.

Streaks are usually a bad drum cartridge. I can usually tell from the bad page what the likely problem is.

In the industry, Brother is not highly regarded.

Message edited by author 2024-01-08 22:55:44.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

01/09/2024 03:58:24 AM · #22

I have to say I'm really tempted by the Pantum P2207. It will cost me less than $40, and I'm not sure I need to spend more on a printer I'll probably only use once of twice a year. Or maybe the Pantum P2512W with WiFi, which is about $70. They even have a 3-in-1 machine for under $125, just a few dollars more than the cost of the Canon LBP6030B. That way I wouldn't have to keep my old machine for the scanner.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

01/09/2024 03:31:33 PM · #23

I have nothing to add, since I don't speak "printer", but I followed this with interest and appreciation of how our community is there for each other.

I love this bar.

IAmEliKatz

Nikon D5

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

01/09/2024 04:12:46 PM · #24

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Once or twice a year but how important are those print jobs? If it's run of the mill nothing, then go cheap and call it a day. Otherwise, Good Fast Cheap (Pick two) and filter your options from there..