How To Clean Canon Printer Heads

Canon inkjet printers use a removable print head that holds the ink cartridges and delivers ink onto the page. To keep ink flowing properly and prevent clogs, it’s important to print a few pages in both black and color at least once per week. When a printer sits idle, ink can dry inside the print head nozzles, leading to streaks, missing colors, or faded output.

This guide explains how to clean Canon print heads when normal printing or automatic cleaning cycles are no longer effective. Inkjet nozzles are extremely small—about 45 microns in diameter, roughly half the width of a human hair—so even minor dried ink buildup can cause noticeable print quality issues. In many cases, light clogs can be resolved by running the printer’s built-in cleaning cycle through the software utility.

If automatic cleaning does not restore print quality, don’t assume the print head needs to be replaced. Replacement print heads can be expensive and sometimes cost more than a new printer. Many Canon printer owners have successfully restored clogged print heads using manual cleaning methods at little or no cost. The most effective techniques are outlined below.

Steps for Manual Print Head Cleaning

Step 1 - Remove the ink tanks and printer head. Remove the ink tanks from the printer head (tank holder) and seal them in a zip lock or other sealable plastic bag. Set them aside, preferably upright, to prevent leaks.

Next, remove the printer head from the printer—it typically snaps out of place. NOTE: Wearing latex or disposable gloves can help keep ink off your hands.

Step 2 - Soak the printer head. Several effective soaking methods exist, all based on gently dissolving dried ink:

• Use a small, shallow container and line the bottom with one or two layers of paper towels to protect the printer head’s circuitry.
• Heat enough purified or distilled water to cover the paper towels. As an alternative, mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and distilled water (about one pint total). Heat the liquid for about one minute—do not let it boil.
• Slowly pour the warm liquid over the paper towels until there is roughly 1/2 inch of fluid in the container.
• Place the printer head on top of the soaked towels. You should see ink begin to bleed out of the nozzles. Gently move the print head to different spots every minute and lightly agitate to help dissolve clogs.
• For severe clogs, allow the print head to soak for 3–4 hours or overnight, shifting its position occasionally.

Alternative Soak Method:
Mix a 50/50 solution of warm water and Windex and place it in a shallow container deep enough to cover the base of the print head and ink ports. Let it soak for two hours while gently agitating occasionally. Remove the print head and lightly scrub the base and internal ink ports with a soft toothbrush. Avoid scrubbing the gold contacts. Return the unit to the solution for another two hours, then repeat the gentle scrubbing.

Step 3 - Flush the printer head with water.

• Hold the print head under a gently running warm water tap. Place a finger partially over the tap to create mild back pressure, allowing water to flow into the ink channels. Continue flushing until the water runs clear and no ink residue remains.

Step 4 - Dry the printer head and reinstall.

• Rinse the printer head thoroughly with distilled water. Gently shake off excess water and place it on folded paper towels to air dry. Some users carefully use a hair dryer on a low, cool setting.
• Reinstall the print head and ink tanks. The printer may automatically perform a print head alignment. If not, manually run the alignment through the printer utility. Follow this by running one or two cleaning cycles and printing a nozzle check pattern.
• Repeat the process if print quality has not fully returned.

Variations on the Above Steps

• Use proprietary print head cleaning solutions such as Cartridge Flush or Magic Inkjet Flush. Soaking time can range from 10 minutes to overnight depending on blockage severity. Some users report success using an electronic toothbrush with cleaning solution for short intervals.
• Carefully use an eyedropper to flush isopropyl alcohol through the ink ports, applying one drop at a time to avoid flooding internal components.
• Use an ultrasonic cleaner. After rinsing excess ink, place the print head lengthwise in the cleaner with the electrical contacts visible above the waterline. Run multiple cleaning cycles using fresh water each time.

Preventive Maintenance
Regular preventive maintenance helps prevent clogged print heads and extends printer life. The most common cause of clogging is ink drying inside the print head due to inactivity or empty cartridges. Never allow the printer to sit with empty cartridges installed. Either replace them promptly or seal the print head in a plastic bag with a few drops of water to maintain humidity.

Printing at least one color-rich page per week helps keep ink flowing and is often more ink-efficient than running frequent cleaning cycles. While occasional cleaning cycles are useful, excessive use can waste ink.

Additional preventive maintenance tips include:

• Gently brushing print heads with water-dampened Q-tips. Many experts recommend avoiding alcohol, which may damage internal components.
• Using a printer cleaning kit designed to dissolve dried ink safely.
• Covering the printer when not in use to protect it from dust and debris.

Hopefully this guide on how to clean Canon printer heads has helped restore your print quality. If problems persist or you have additional questions, please contact us—we’re happy to help.