canon pixma mg3620 print head cleaning not working, lines still missing after i tried it

Diagnosis

When the standard cleaning cycle on a Canon PIXMA MG3620 fails to resolve missing lines or "banding," it is usually because the ink has dehydrated and solidified within the microscopic nozzles of the print head. This is common if the printer has been idle for more than two weeks or if you are using third-party inks that lack the proper surfactant balance. The standard cleaning cycle only pushes a small amount of ink through the nozzles; if the clog is a hard "plug" of dried pigment, the pressure isn't high enough to displace it.

You can confirm a hardware clog by printing a "Nozzle Check" pattern. If you see gaps in the grid lines or missing colors entirely, the issue is physical obstruction in the print head rather than a software or driver glitch. If the lines are present but faded, you may be dealing with air bubbles trapped in the ink feed system, which requires a different approach than a standard cleaning.

How to Fix It

If the basic cleaning failed, you must escalate to a Deep Cleaning and a "Rest Period" to allow the ink to chemically soften the clog. Follow these exact steps:

1. Power on the printer and ensure the "ON" lamp is steady.
2. Press and hold the Stop button until the Alarm lamp flashes exactly three times, then release the button immediately. This triggers the Deep Cleaning cycle, which uses significantly more ink to force a high-pressure flush through the nozzles.
3. Wait for the printer to complete the cycle. The ON lamp will flash during the process and become steady once finished. This usually takes 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Print a Nozzle Check page to see if the lines have returned. If they are still missing, do not run another deep clean immediately. Doing so can flood the print head with excess ink and cause smearing.
5. Turn the printer power OFF and unplug it from the wall outlet.
6. Leave the printer untouched for 24 hours. This "soak time" allows the fresh ink injected during the deep clean to penetrate and dissolve the dried ink plugs.
7. Plug the printer back in, power it on, and perform one final Nozzle Check.

If That Didn't Work

If the lines remain after a 24-hour rest, try these advanced recovery methods:

• Manual Print Head Cleaning: Open the printer cover to expose the carriage. Lift the print head (the unit holding the cartridges) out of the machine. Dampen a lint-free cloth or a high-quality paper towel with distilled water or a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Gently blot the bottom of the print head (the gold/silver strip where ink exits) against the damp cloth. Do not scrub; simply press it down and lift it up until you see a solid "stamp" of ink on the towel.
• Cartridge Replacement: Since the MG3620 uses integrated print heads (the nozzles are built into the PG-240 and CL-241 cartridges), the "print head" is actually the cartridge itself. If a specific color is missing, replace that specific cartridge. This is often faster and more reliable than cleaning a severely clogged nozzle.
• Air Bubble Purge: If you recently installed a new cartridge and see lines, air may be trapped. Gently shake the cartridge in your hand for 10 seconds before re-inserting it to help the ink settle toward the nozzles.
• Check Vent Holes: Ensure the orange pull-tab was completely removed from the top of the cartridge. If a small piece of plastic is still blocking the air vent hole on top, a vacuum will form inside the cartridge, preventing ink from flowing regardless of how many cleaning cycles you run.

Heads Up

To prevent future clogs and maintain your MG3620, keep these tips in mind:

• Print Weekly: Print at least one color page every 7-10 days to keep the ink moving and prevent dehydration in the nozzles.
• Avoid Cheap Inks: If using refillable cartridges, ensure you use high-quality dye-based inks. Low-grade inks dry faster and are more prone to clogging the fine nozzles of the MG series.
• Power Down Properly: Always use the Power button to turn off the printer rather than pulling the plug. This ensures the print head parks in the "capped" position, which seals the nozzles from air.
• Deep Clean Limits: Limit Deep Cleaning to twice per week. These cycles consume a massive amount of ink and fill the internal waste ink absorber pads quickly, which can lead to a "Service Required" error.