my canon pixma mg3620 is printing with faded colors and missing lines, how do i fix this?

Diagnosis

The presence of faded colors and horizontal white streaks (missing lines) on the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is almost always a result of dried ink deposits obstructing the microscopic nozzles of the print head. This occurs when the printer sits idle for several days or weeks, allowing the ink at the nozzle interface to dehydrate and solidify, creating a physical plug that prevents ink from flowing consistently onto the paper. When only specific colors are faded, it indicates a partial clog; when lines are missing entirely, it indicates a complete blockage of specific nozzle rows. To confirm this is a nozzle issue rather than a software or ink-level problem, you must print a Nozzle Check pattern. If the grid lines in the magenta, cyan, or yellow blocks are broken or missing, the print head is physically obstructed. If the colors are faded but the lines are solid, you may be dealing with "ink starvation," where the ink is flowing but the saturation is too low due to a vacuum lock or low-quality third-party ink cartridges that have a different viscosity than Canon originals.

How to Fix It

To resolve nozzle clogs, you must perform a tiered cleaning process. Start with the standard cleaning and escalate to deep cleaning only if necessary, as deep cleaning consumes a significant amount of ink.

1. Power on the printer and load a stack of plain A4 or Letter sized paper in the rear tray.
2. Press and hold the Stop button until the Alarm lamp (orange) flashes two times, then release the button immediately. This initiates the Standard Cleaning cycle.
3. Wait for the ON lamp to stop flashing and remain lit. This process typically takes 60 to 90 seconds. Do not press any buttons or attempt to print during this window.
4. To verify the result, press and hold the Stop button until the Alarm lamp flashes once, then release. The printer will print a nozzle check pattern.
5. Inspect the pattern. If the grid is still broken or colors are missing, repeat the Standard Cleaning process one more time.
6. If the issue persists after two standard cleanings, perform a Deep Cleaning. Press and hold the Stop button until the Alarm lamp flashes three times, then release. This uses a high-pressure burst of ink to force through stubborn clogs.
7. Wait for the cycle to complete and print another nozzle check pattern to confirm the lines are now solid.

If That Didn't Work

If the internal cleaning cycles fail to clear the blockage, try these advanced recovery methods:

• Manual Print Head Soak: Remove the ink cartridges from the carriage. Carefully lift the print head assembly (if your model has the removable head) or place a folded paper towel dampened with warm distilled water or a specialized print head cleaning solution directly underneath the nozzle plate for 30 minutes. This softens the dried ink from the outside in.
• Cartridge Replacement: Since the MG3620 uses integrated print head cartridges (PG-240 and CL-241/246), the "print head" is actually built into the bottom of the cartridge. If deep cleaning fails, the nozzles are likely permanently scorched or clogged. Replace the specific cartridge (Cyan/Magenta/Yellow or Black) that is showing the faded lines.
• Vent Hole Inspection: Check the top of the ink cartridges. Ensure the orange plastic pull-tab was completely removed and that the small air vent hole on the top of the cartridge is not blocked by adhesive residue. If air cannot enter the cartridge, a vacuum forms, causing the ink to fade or stop flowing entirely.
• Print Quality Settings Adjustment: Navigate to your computer's printer preferences. Under the "Main" tab, change the "Print Quality" from Standard to High. This forces the printer to pass over the page more slowly and lay down more ink, which can sometimes mask minor nozzle gaps.

Heads Up

• Avoid performing more than two Deep Cleaning cycles in a 24-hour period. Over-cleaning can actually wear out the nozzle elements or overflow the internal waste ink pads.
• To prevent future clogs, print at least one page of full-color content every week. This keeps the ink moving and prevents the nozzles from drying out.
• Always use high-quality paper. Using cheap, highly absorbent paper can sometimes pull ink out of the nozzles unevenly, mimicking the appearance of a clog.
• If using third-party "compatible" inks, be aware that they often have different drying times and are more prone to clogging than genuine Canon inks.