Question 1

fax won't send from my tr4720, it just beeps and says communication error.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The phone line connection is faulty or the receiving fax machine is not answering. The beep is a handshake failure. FIX Verify your phone cord is plugged firmly into the LINE port on the printer, not the EXT port. Listen for a dial tone through the printer's handset or by plugging a phone into the port. Ensure you're dialing the full number, including any outside line prefix like '9'. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Your internet/VOIP phone line may not support fax. Fax requires a traditional analog phone line. Test with a known good analog line. HEADS UP Never plug the printer's phone cord into a digital wall jack from a cable modem. It can fry the printer's fax modem.

Question 2

the power light on my canon tr4720 just flashes orange and it won't do anything at all.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A steady or flashing orange light is a general error. Often it's a paper jam, an ink cartridge issue, or a cover not fully closed. FIX Check all covers are firmly shut, especially the rear output cover. Open and close the ink cartridge access door. Ensure all cartridges are correctly installed and not empty. Remove any paper from all trays. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Unplug the printer from the wall for 60 seconds. This can clear a temporary system lock. Plug it back in. HEADS UP If the light flashes orange 15 times, it's a specific error. Count the flashes. That code points to the exact problem.

Question 3

how do i scan from the automatic document feeder on my tr4720? it just feeds the paper through and nothing happens.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The scanner driver is not set to use the ADF as the source. It's defaulting to the flatbed. FIX In the Canon IJ Scan Utility on your computer, click Settings. Change the "Document Source" from "Platen" to "Auto Document Feeder". Save the setting. Place your document in the ADF tray and press scan on the computer. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The ADF rollers might be dirty, causing a misfeed that the sensor doesn't register. Clean the rubber rollers inside the ADF with a damp cloth. HEADS UP The ADF has a maximum paper weight. Using thick cardstock can jam it and strain the feeder motor.

Question 4

printer says 'support code 1688' what does that mean on a tr4720?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Support Code 1688 is a waste ink absorber pad error. The internal pad that soaks up waste ink from cleanings is near full. FIX The pad needs resetting or replacing. You can try a service tool reset if you have the software, but this is a physical part. For long-term use, the waste ink absorber must be replaced. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The counter is locked. The printer will eventually refuse to print. You need a full service reset performed by a technician or with a specific service tool. HEADS UP Ignoring this can cause ink to leak inside the printer, leading to electrical shorts. Address it promptly.

Question 5

my canon pixma tr4720 is making a loud grinding noise when it starts up.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The print head carriage is hitting an obstruction or the carriage rail is dry. The noise is metal on plastic. FIX Unplug the printer. Open the cover. Manually move the print head left and right along the rail. Feel for resistance. Clean the silver metal rail with a lint-free cloth dampened with a little water. Do not use oil. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK A small piece of plastic inside may have broken off and is in the carriage path. Inspect for debris. HEADS UP If the grinding continues after cleaning, stop using it. A worn carriage motor will destroy the mechanism.

Question 6

printer won't connect to wifi, tr4720 just shows the wifi light blinking.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The printer lost its network connection. This happens after a router reboot or if credentials changed. FIX Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer until the lamp flashes blue. This resets network settings. Use the Canon PRINT app on your phone to guide you through reconnecting to your router. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Your router may be blocking it. Temporarily disable the router's 5GHz band. Connect the printer to the 2.4GHz band only. HEADS UP Do not use WPS push-button method if your router has it. It's less reliable. Use the standard SSID/password setup.

Question 7

canon tr4720 keeps printing blank pages, just got new ink cartridges.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The print head nozzles are clogged. New ink doesn't fix an existing clog. Air can also get trapped. FIX Run a deep cleaning cycle. On the printer, hold the Stop button until the lamp flashes 15 times, then release. Wait 10 minutes. Print a nozzle check pattern from the maintenance menu on your computer. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The print head itself may have failed. If multiple deep cleanings over two days don't work, the head likely needs replacement. HEADS UP Running too many cleanings in a row wastes huge amounts of ink. Space them out by several hours.

Question 8

my tr4720 printer just says 'paper jam' but i can't see any paper stuck anywhere inside.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A small piece of paper tore off and is stuck deep in the paper path, likely behind the print head carriage. The sensor is still tripped. FIX Unplug the printer. Open the rear cover. Look for a small scrap in the rollers near the duplex unit. Use plastic tweezers, not metal. Remove any debris. Close the cover and power on. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The jam could be under the print head. Move the print head to the center manually. Inspect the area under and around it for tiny paper shreds. HEADS UP Forcing the rear cover or carriage can break the plastic latches. Always unplug first to avoid motor damage.

Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black

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