Question 1

canon pixma tr8620a scanner feeder is jamming every time i try to copy more than one page. what am i doing wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This issue is typically caused by a failure in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) pickup mechanism, specifically a loss of friction on the rubber intake rollers or a misalignment of the paper guides. When copying a single page, the motor has enough torque and the roller has enough grip to pull one sheet. However, when a stack is loaded, the cumulative weight and the "stiction" between sheets cause the roller to slip, resulting in a multi-page jam or a failure to pull the second sheet. Another common cause is the accumulation of paper dust and adhesive residue on the separation pad—the small rubber piece that ensures only one page is pulled at a time. If this pad is worn or dirty, the printer may attempt to pull multiple sheets simultaneously, causing them to accordion inside the narrow feeder track. You can confirm this by observing if the printer displays a "Paper Jam" error (usually Error 1316) specifically at the ADF entry point rather than the internal print carriage area. FIX Follow these precise steps to restore the feeder's grip and clear the mechanism: Clear the Path: Open the ADF cover and check for any tiny scraps of paper or staples lodged in the feed slot. Use a flashlight to inspect the narrow gap where the paper enters the scanner bed. Clean the Pickup Rollers: Locate the grey rubber rollers inside the ADF. Dampen a lint-free microfiber cloth with distilled water (do not use rubbing alcohol as it can dry out the rubber). Firmly wipe the rollers, rotating them manually to clean the entire circumference. Dry them with a clean section of the cloth. Reset the Paper Guides: Slide the plastic paper guides outward and then snugly back against the edges of your stack. The guides should be tight enough to hold the paper straight but not so tight that they pinch the sheets, which creates artificial resistance. Optimize the Load: Ensure you are not exceeding the 20-sheet capacity for plain paper. Fan the edges of the paper stack before loading to break the vacuum seal between pages. Configure Settings: On the TR8620a home screen, select [Copy] > [Copy Settings] > [Document Type]. Ensure this is set to "Plain Paper." If you are using thicker stock, the ADF may struggle; switch to the flatbed glass for anything over 20lb bond paper. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Deep Clean the Separation Pad: If the roller is clean but it still pulls multiple pages, use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to clean the small rubber friction pad located opposite the pickup roller. This removes the "glaze" of paper dust that causes slippage. Check for ADF Gear Slippage: Gently lift the ADF tray. If you feel a "clicking" or loose movement, a plastic gear tooth may have snapped. In this case, the ADF assembly (Part No. RM2-2445-000 or equivalent) usually requires replacement as these gears are not individually serviceable. Perform a Hard Power Reset: Unplug the power cord from the back of the TR8620a while the unit is ON. Wait exactly 60 seconds. This clears the temporary memory of the sensors and resets the ADF motor timing. Test with Different Paper Brand: Some high-gloss or ultra-smooth papers have a low coefficient of friction. Try a standard 20lb copy paper; if that works, the issue is the paper surface, not the printer hardware. HEADS UP Avoid Staples: Never run a document through the ADF that has staples or paper clips; even a small scratch on the roller can lead to permanent jamming. Paper Weight Limits: The ADF is designed for standard office paper. Using cardstock or heavy photo paper in the feeder will likely strip the gears or cause a permanent jam. Dust Prevention: Keep the printer in a low-dust environment. Paper dust is the primary cause of "ghost jams" where the sensor thinks there is paper even when the path is clear. Regular Cleaning: Every 500 pages scanned, wipe the rollers with a damp cloth to prevent the buildup of ink and paper residue.

Question 2

my canon pixma tr8620a is making a weird grinding noise when it feeds paper from the back. is it broken?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A grinding noise during the paper feed process on the Canon PIXMA TR8620a typically indicates a mechanical struggle. This happens when the pickup rollers are attempting to pull paper that is either misaligned, too thick, or obstructed by a foreign object. The noise is caused by the gears slipping or the rollers spinning against a blockage, which can lead to permanent gear stripping if not addressed immediately. FIX To resolve the grinding, follow these steps to clear the paper path and reset the feed mechanism: Power Down: Turn off the printer and unplug it from the wall to prevent any electrical shorts while inspecting the internals. Clear the Path: Open the rear tray and the front access door. Use a bright flashlight to inspect the rear feed slot for small scraps of paper, staples, or debris. Use a pair of tweezers to gently remove any foreign objects. Prepare the Media: Remove the paper stack. Fan the edges of the paper to eliminate static cling and ensure the pages aren't stuck together. Correct Loading: Reinsert the paper, ensuring it is flat and not overfilled beyond the maximum fill line. Slide the paper guides so they are snug against the edges of the paper; if they are too tight, the paper will bow, causing the rollers to grind. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the noise persists with a single sheet of plain paper, the pickup rollers may be contaminated or worn. Clean the Rollers: Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water and gently wipe the rubber pickup rollers located in the rear feed area to remove paper dust and oils. Reset the Feed: Perform a hard reset by unplugging the power cord for 60 seconds, then plugging it back in to recalibrate the carriage and feed motors. Hardware Failure: If the grinding sounds metallic or "clicks" rapidly, a gear in the paper feed assembly has likely failed, requiring professional replacement. HEADS UP Never use canned air or vacuum cleaners inside the printer, as this can push debris deeper into the gear assembly or create static discharge that damages the print head.

Question 3

is the canon tr8620a power hungry? it feels warm even when I'm not using it.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSISThe Canon PIXMA TR8620a is not "power hungry" in terms of peak wattage, but it utilizes a "Ready-to-Print" architecture that prevents the machine from ever fully shutting down. The warmth you feel on the chassis—particularly near the rear power supply area and the control panel—is the result of the internal logic board and the wireless network interface controller (NIC) remaining active. Because this model supports cloud printing, Alexa integration, and automatic ink monitoring, the processor must maintain a heartbeat connection with your router. This heat is generated by the voltage regulators converting AC wall power to DC for the internal components. Even in "Sleep Mode," the printer is merely idling, not off. If the printer is placed in a tight enclosure or against a wall with no ventilation, this low-level heat accumulates, making the plastic casing feel warm to the touch. You can confirm this is normal behavior by checking the power LED; if it is pulsing or dimly lit, the printer is in a low-power state but still drawing current to maintain its network IP address and internal clock. FIXTo reduce the heat output and minimize the power draw of your TR8620a, you must transition the device from a "Ready" state to a deeper "Auto Power Off" state. Follow these exact steps on the printer's touch screen: Press the Setup button (represented by the pliers and screwdriver icon) on the operation panel. Navigate to Device settings and press OK. Select Eco settings from the menu. Select Auto power off. By default, this may be set to "Off" or a long duration. Change this to 1 hour or 2 hours. This ensures that if no print jobs are sent, the machine will fully kill power to the logic board. Return to the Eco settings menu and select Auto power on. Set this to Off. This prevents the printer from waking itself up unnecessarily to check for updates or network pings. Press the Back button repeatedly until you return to the home screen. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Relocate the Hardware: Ensure there is at least 4 inches of clearance around the rear and sides of the printer. The TR8620a vents heat through the plastic casing; if it is pushed flush against a wall or tucked into a desk cubby, the ambient heat will build up, making the device feel significantly hotter than it actually is. Disable Unnecessary Wireless Features: If you do not use cloud printing or voice commands, disable the "Wireless Connect" or "Cloud" features in the network settings. Reducing the number of active background listeners on the Wi-Fi chip reduces the processing load and the resulting thermal output. Use a Smart Plug: If you only print once a week, the most effective way to eliminate standby heat is to plug the TR8620a into a smart plug or a manual power strip. Completely cut the power when not in use. Note that this will require a few extra seconds for the printer to boot and reconnect to Wi-Fi upon the next use. Check for Firmware Bloat: Ensure your firmware is updated to the latest version via the Setup menu. Occasionally, early firmware versions had "wake-up loops" where the printer would constantly cycle between sleep and awake, causing the processor to run hot. HEADS UP Avoid using "surge protectors" with very old circuitry; the TR8620a requires a stable voltage, and poor power delivery can cause the internal power supply to run hotter than normal. Do not cover the printer with a cloth or dust cover while it is plugged in, as this traps the standby heat and can degrade the internal capacitors over time. If you notice the warmth is accompanied by a burning plastic smell or if the printer shuts itself off unexpectedly, this indicates a failing power supply unit (PSU) rather than normal standby heat. The print head assembly also generates heat during cleaning cycles; it is normal for the machine to feel warmer immediately after a "Deep Cleaning" or "Nozzle Check" sequence.

Question 4

canon pixma tr8620a printing really faint, especially the color. just put in new cartridges. help?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The faint printing and color dropout on the Canon PIXMA TR8620a, particularly immediately after installing new cartridges, typically indicates one of two things: air pockets trapped in the ink delivery system or dried ink residue blocking the microscopic nozzles of the print head. Even with brand-new cartridges, if the printer sat idle for several weeks, the ink remaining in the print head nozzles has likely dehydrated into a thick, waxy crust that prevents new ink from flowing through. This is often compounded by a "priming" failure. When you swap cartridges, the printer doesn't always automatically purge the air that enters the lines. If an air bubble is lodged between the cartridge outlet and the nozzle plate, the ink cannot reach the paper, resulting in "streaky" or nearly invisible colors. You can confirm this by printing a Nozzle Check pattern from the Maintenance menu; if you see missing grids or white gaps in the color blocks, the hardware is obstructed or improperly primed. FIX Follow these precise steps to clear the blockage and prime the ink system: Verify Cartridge Installation: Open the scanning unit and ensure the orange protective tape was completely removed from the PGI-280 and CLI-281 cartridges. Press down firmly on the center of each cartridge until you hear a distinct "click" to ensure the ink port is fully seated against the print head. Perform a Standard Cleaning: On the printer's home screen, select the Setup (gear icon) button. Navigate to Maintenance > Clean. Select "All Colors" and press OK. Once the cycle completes, print a Nozzle Check pattern to see if the color saturation has improved. Execute Deep Cleaning: If the standard clean fails, return to Maintenance and select Deep Cleaning. This uses a higher pressure pump to force ink through the nozzles. Note that this consumes a significant amount of ink. Run this once, then wait 30 minutes before printing another test page to allow any loosened ink debris to settle. Ink Flush (Last Resort): If the colors are still faint, go to Maintenance > Ink Flush. This is the most aggressive cleaning cycle available for the TR8620a. It completely flushes the ink system to remove air bubbles. Warning: This will rapidly deplete your ink levels and fill the maintenance cartridge faster. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Manually Clean the Print Head Contact Points: Power off the printer and unplug it. Remove the ink cartridges. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth dampened with a small amount of distilled water (not rubbing alcohol) to gently wipe the gold contact points on the cartridges and the corresponding pins inside the carriage. Debris or ink leaks on these contacts can cause "under-firing" of the nozzles. Check Paper Settings: Ensure your printer driver is not set to "Draft" or "Economy" mode. In the print dialog on your PC or Mac, go to Printing Preferences > Main and change the Quality setting from "Standard" to "High." This forces the printer to lay down more ink per square inch. Verify Ink Authenticity: If you are using third-party "compatible" or refilled cartridges, the chip may be reporting the ink level incorrectly, or the ink viscosity may be too high for the TR8620a's fine nozzles. Try a set of genuine Canon PGI-280/CLI-281 tanks to rule out ink chemistry issues. Inspect the Vent Holes: Ensure the yellow tape on the top of the cartridges was fully removed. If the vent hole is blocked, a vacuum forms inside the cartridge, preventing ink from flowing downward into the print head. HEADS UP Avoid "Dry-Firing": Never run multiple Deep Cleaning cycles back-to-back without printing a test page in between; this can overheat the print head elements and cause permanent hardware failure. Print Weekly: To prevent the TR8620a from clogging, print one full-color page at least once every 7-10 days to keep the nozzles moist. Use High-Quality Paper: Using overly textured or cheap paper can cause "ink bleed" or "wicking," making the colors appear faint even when the print head is functioning perfectly. Monitor the Maintenance Cartridge: Excessive use of the "Ink Flush" or "Deep Clean" functions will fill the waste ink absorber. If you see a "Waste Ink Full" error, you will need to replace the internal absorber pad.

Question 5

my canon pixma tr8620a printer won't connect to wifi, keeps saying error. what gives?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TR8620a frequently encounters connectivity failures due to a fundamental hardware limitation: it is designed specifically for 2.4GHz wireless bands. Many modern "Smart" or Mesh routers utilize "Band Steering," which merges the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies into a single SSID. When the TR8620a attempts to handshake with the router, the router may try to force it onto the 5GHz band, causing the printer to time out and trigger a generic "Wireless Connection Error" or "Unable to connect to the network" message. Furthermore, this specific model is prone to "IP Address Conflict" or "DHCP Lease Expiration." If the printer has been powered off for an extended period, the router may have assigned its previous internal IP address to another device (like a smartphone or tablet). When the printer wakes up and tries to reclaim that address, the network rejects the request, resulting in a connection failure even if the password is correct. You can confirm this by checking the printer's Network Settings menu; if the IP address is listed as 0.0.0.0 or 169.254.x.x, the printer is failing to communicate with the router's DHCP server. FIX Perform a Network Reset: On the printer's touch screen, navigate to the Setup (gear icon) menu. Select Device Settings > LAN settings > Reset LAN settings. Confirm the reset to clear any corrupted cached credentials. Isolate the 2.4GHz Band: Access your router's admin panel via a web browser (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). If you have "Smart Connect" or "Band Steering" enabled, disable it temporarily. Create a separate SSID specifically for 2.4GHz devices (e.g., "HomeWiFi_2.4G"). Manual Connection Entry: On the TR8620a control panel, go to LAN settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi setup. Select Manual connect. Credential Verification: Select your 2.4GHz SSID from the list. When prompted for the password, use the on-screen keyboard. Be extremely careful with capitalization; the TR8620a is case-sensitive. Ensure there are no trailing spaces at the end of the password. Assign a Static IP: Once connected, go back to LAN settings > TCP/IP settings > IPv4 settings. Change the IP address assignment from "Auto" to "Manual." Assign an IP address high in your range (e.g., 192.168.1.200) to prevent future conflicts with other devices. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK WPS Push Button Method: If manual entry fails, try the WPS method. Go to LAN settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi setup > WPS (Push button). Within two minutes, press and hold the WPS button on your router for 3-5 seconds. This bypasses manual password entry and forces a direct handshake. Disable Firewall/MAC Filtering: Check your router's security settings. If MAC Address Filtering is enabled, the router will block the TR8620a regardless of the password. You must find the printer's MAC address in the LAN settings menu and add it to the router's "Allowed" list. Update Firmware via USB: A bug in the early TR8620a firmware caused intermittent Wi-Fi drops. Connect the printer to a PC using a USB cable and run the Canon update utility to ensure the internal network card is running the latest version. Change Wireless Channel: If you live in a crowded apartment complex, signal interference on Channel 6 or 11 can cause the printer to drop the connection. Log into your router and manually set the 2.4GHz channel to Channel 1 or 11 to reduce noise. HEADS UP Avoid Mesh "Dead Zones": The TR8620a has a relatively weak internal antenna. Ensure it is within 15 feet of the router or a mesh node; placing it inside a wooden cabinet or behind a metal filing cabinet will significantly degrade the signal. Power Cycle Sequence: If you change router settings, always reboot in this order: Router first, wait 2 minutes, then Printer. This ensures the printer requests a fresh IP address from a fully booted DHCP server. Avoid 5GHz SSID: Never attempt to connect this printer to a 5GHz-only network; it is physically incapable of seeing those signals and will result in a "Network Not Found" error. Sleep Mode Issues: If the printer frequently "disappears" from your computer, disable "IPv6" in the printer's LAN settings to stabilize the IPv4 connection.

Question 6

my canon pixma tr8620a feels warm even when it's just sitting there turned on but not printing. is it using a lot of power?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The warmth you are feeling on the chassis of your Canon PIXMA TR8620a is primarily caused by the internal power supply unit (PSU) and the network interface card. Even when the printer is not actively ejecting pages, the device remains in a "Ready" or "Standby" state. In this state, the logic board is continuously polling the Wi-Fi module to maintain a heartbeat connection with your router, ensuring that a print command from a smartphone or PC is executed instantly without a lengthy wake-up delay. This process involves a constant flow of electricity through the voltage regulators on the motherboard. Because the TR8620a uses a compact, plastic-encased design, there is limited airflow to dissipate the heat generated by these components. The heat you feel is typically concentrated near the rear power input and the side panels where the internal circuitry resides. You can confirm this is normal behavior by touching the plastic casing; if it feels like a warm laptop charger (roughly 30-40°C) rather than a hot stove, the device is operating within its intended thermal parameters. If the plastic is hot to the touch or emits a "burning electronics" smell, you are likely dealing with a capacitor failure or a short circuit on the main board. FIX To minimize the heat generation and reduce the power draw of your TR8620a, you need to optimize the power management settings and the physical environment of the printer. Follow these steps: Optimize Ventilation: Move the printer at least 4 to 6 inches away from any walls or cabinets. Ensure the ventilation slats on the rear and sides are completely unobstructed. If the printer is placed inside a closed cupboard, the ambient heat will build up, causing the internal components to run hotter. Enable Auto Power Off: Navigate to the printer's touch screen. Go to Settings > Device Settings > Energy Saving Settings. Select Auto Power Off and set the timer to 1 hour. This ensures that if the printer is idle, it will shut down completely rather than staying in a warm standby state. Disable Unused Connectivity: If you only print via USB, disable the Wireless LAN function in the network settings. This shuts down the Wi-Fi radio, which is one of the primary heat-generating components during idle periods. Manage Sleep Mode: In the same Energy Saving Settings menu, ensure that Sleep Mode is enabled. While the printer will still draw approximately 0.8W, the logic board will throttle down, reducing the thermal output. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the printer continues to feel excessively hot or you suspect a power leak, try these advanced troubleshooting steps: Perform a Hard Power Reset: Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet and the back of the printer. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity from the capacitors. Leave the unit unplugged for 10 minutes before restarting. This can clear "ghost" processes on the motherboard that may be causing CPU spikes and overheating. Check for Firmware Glitches: Outdated firmware can sometimes cause the processor to loop, leading to increased power draw and heat. Check the Maintenance menu on the screen and select Firmware Update to ensure the device is running the latest version. Inspect the Power Cable: Check the AC power cord for any kinks, frays, or signs of melting. A damaged cable can cause resistance and heat buildup at the connection point, which can feel like the printer itself is overheating. Test on a Different Circuit: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet rather than a crowded power strip or surge protector. Poor grounding or voltage fluctuations from a cheap power strip can cause the internal PSU to work harder and run hotter. HEADS UP Avoid "Eco" Power Strips: Some smart power strips that cut power based on load may conflict with the TR8620a's low-power standby mode, causing the printer to cycle on and off rapidly, which stresses the power supply. Ink Maintenance: Be aware that the printer will occasionally "wake up" on its own to perform automatic print head cleaning. This is normal and will cause a temporary spike in warmth and power usage. Dust Accumulation: Every six months, use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust from the rear vents. Dust buildup acts as an insulator and prevents heat from escaping the chassis. Ambient Temperature: Avoid placing the printer in direct sunlight or near a radiator. The TR8620a's plastic casing absorbs heat quickly, which can lead to ink drying in the nozzles and internal overheating.

Question 7

can i print double-sided automatically with the canon pixma tr8620a?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TR8620a features a built-in automatic duplexing unit, meaning it contains a specialized internal reversal mechanism that flips the paper automatically before printing the second side. Unlike manual duplexing, where the user must physically flip the paper and re-insert it into the tray, the TR8620a handles this via a motorized roller system located at the rear of the chassis. If you are unable to find the option or it appears "greyed out," the issue is typically not a hardware failure but a software communication gap. This happens when the printer driver is set to a "Generic" or "Class" driver (common in Windows 10/11 automatic installations) rather than the full Canon-specific driver. The generic driver often fails to recognize the duplex unit's capabilities, leading the computer to believe the printer is a single-sided device. To confirm the hardware is working, you can run a "Print Quality" check from the printer's onboard maintenance menu; if the paper feeds and ejects normally, the duplexing hardware is functional and the issue resides in the print spooler settings. FIX To activate automatic double-sided printing, you must configure the settings within the print driver on your workstation. Follow these exact steps for a Windows environment: Open the document you wish to print (e.g., in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat). Navigate to File > Print. Select the Canon TR8600 series from the printer dropdown menu. If you see "Canon TR8600 Class Driver," you may need to reinstall the full driver package to unlock duplexing. Click on Printer Properties or Preferences. This will open the Canon-specific driver window. Locate the Page Setup tab. Check the box labeled 2-Sided Printing. Choose your binding preference: Select Long-edge binding for standard books/reports (flips like a page) or Short-edge binding for calendars or tablets (flips upward). Click OK and then click Print. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check Paper Type Settings: Automatic duplexing is disabled for specific media types. If your settings are set to "Photo Paper," "Glossy," or "Envelope," the 2-Sided Printing option will be greyed out. Change the media type to Plain Paper in the Main tab of the printer properties to re-enable the feature. Update the Driver: If the "2-Sided Printing" checkbox is missing entirely, the Windows Class Driver is the culprit. Uninstall the printer from the Control Panel, restart your PC, and install the full driver suite from Canon's official support site specifically for the TR8620a. Clear Paper Jam Sensors: If the printer attempts to duplex but throws a "Paper Jam" error (Error Code 1313 or 1317) despite no visible jam, a small scrap of paper may be blocking the duplexing sensor. Open the rear cover and use a flashlight to check the rollers for debris. MacOS AirPrint Conflict: On Mac, if you used AirPrint to add the printer, duplexing options can be limited. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, delete the printer, and re-add it, ensuring you select the Canon driver rather than the generic AirPrint option. HEADS UP Paper Weight Warning: Only use standard 20lb to 24lb plain paper for automatic duplexing. Using heavy cardstock or high-GSM photo paper can cause the internal reversal mechanism to jam or crease the paper. Ink Saturation: Printing on both sides of thin paper can lead to "bleed-through." If you notice the text from the back showing through the front, change your print quality setting from "High" to "Standard" or "Draft" to reduce ink saturation. Dry Time: When printing double-sided, the second side is printed immediately after the first. If you are using a high-density ink setting, allow the pages to air-dry for a few minutes before stacking them to avoid smudging. Tray Capacity: Avoid overfilling the main paper cassette when duplexing. The reversal process requires slightly more "headroom" for the paper to curve; an overfilled tray can lead to multi-sheet feeds (picking up two pages at once).

Question 8

my canon pixma tr8620a is really slow printing color pages, like way slower than my old printer. is this broken?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Your Canon PIXMA TR8620a is likely not broken; rather, you are experiencing the difference between "ISO print speeds" and "real-world rendering." The TR8620a uses a fine-nozzle inkjet system that must physically move the print head back and forth across the page. When printing a full-color image or a page with heavy saturation, the printer must perform multiple passes to layer the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black inks to achieve the correct hue and density. The perceived slowness usually stems from the "Print Quality" setting. If the printer is set to "High" or "Fine," the print head slows its travel speed and increases the number of passes per inch to prevent banding and ensure color accuracy. Additionally, if you are printing via Wi-Fi, the printer may be pausing between sections of the page to buffer the incoming data from the wireless spooler, creating a "stuttering" effect that makes the process feel significantly slower than a wired connection or an older, lower-resolution printer. FIX To optimize the printing speed and reduce the time spent on color documents, follow these precise steps to adjust your driver and hardware settings: On your computer, open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers. Right-click the Canon TR8620a icon and select Printing Preferences. Locate the Quick Setup tab. Under the Print Quality dropdown menu, change the setting from "High" or "Standard" to "Draft". This reduces the number of ink passes and significantly increases the pages-per-minute (PPM) output. Go to the Main tab and ensure that "Grayscale Printing" is unchecked if you need color, but if the document has only minimal color, consider if grayscale is an option to speed up the process. If printing from a Mac, go to Print > Print Settings and change the Quality slider to "Fast" or "Draft". Click Apply and OK to save these settings as the default for future jobs. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Switch to a Wired Connection: If the printer pauses frequently during a color print, the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band may be congested. Connect the printer via a USB 2.0 cable directly to your PC. This eliminates the data buffering lag and ensures the print head moves continuously without waiting for the next chunk of image data. Update the Firmware: Outdated firmware can cause inefficient processing of complex PDF or image files. On the printer's touch screen, go to Settings > Device Settings > Firmware Update and select Update. This can optimize the internal rendering engine. Change Paper Type Settings: If the printer thinks you are using "Photo Paper" or "High Resolution Paper" while you are actually using plain 20lb bond paper, it will print much slower to allow for longer ink drying times. Ensure the paper setting is set strictly to "Plain Paper" in both the printer menu and the driver. Clear the Print Spooler: A bloated print queue can cause the printer to hesitate. On Windows, type services.msc in the start menu, find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart. This clears the cache and can resolve erratic printing speeds. HEADS UP Ink Consumption: Using "Draft" mode not only increases speed but significantly reduces ink consumption, extending the life of your PGI-280 and CLI-281 cartridges. Drying Time: When printing in high-speed or draft mode, ink may take a few seconds longer to dry on the page. Avoid touching the print surface immediately to prevent smudging. Nozzle Maintenance: If you notice streaks while printing at higher speeds, run a Nozzle Check from the Maintenance menu to ensure the print head is not clogged, as partial clogs can sometimes cause the printer to "stutter" as it attempts to compensate for missing colors.

Question 9

can I use alexa to check the ink levels on my canon pixma tr8620a?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TR8620a supports voice-activated ink monitoring through the integration of the Canon Inkjet Cloud Connect system and the Amazon Alexa Skill ecosystem. When you ask Alexa for ink levels, the Amazon Echo device sends a request to the Alexa cloud, which triggers a call to Canon's cloud servers. These servers communicate with your printer via your local Wi-Fi network to retrieve the current percentage of the PGI-280 and CLI-281 ink cartridges. For this to function, the printer must be in a "Ready" state and connected to a 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless network with an active internet connection. If the printer is in Sleep mode or has a "Paper Jam" or "Ink Low" error displayed on the OLED screen, the cloud handshake may fail, resulting in Alexa responding with "I'm sorry, I'm having trouble connecting to the printer." You can confirm the connection is active by checking if the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's control panel is solid and not blinking. FIX To enable ink level monitoring via Alexa, follow these precise steps to bridge the hardware and the voice assistant: Open the Amazon Alexa App on your smartphone. Tap the More icon in the bottom right corner and select Skills & Games. Tap the magnifying glass icon in the top right and search for "Canon Inkjet Cloud Connect". Select the skill and tap Enable to Use. You will be redirected to the Canon account login page. Log in with the same Canon ID used to register your TR8620a. If you haven't created a Canon ID, you must do so and register the printer's serial number (found on the back of the machine) to link the hardware to the cloud. Once the account is linked, return to the Alexa app. Alexa will automatically start "Discovering Devices." Wait for the confirmation that the PIXMA TR8620a has been found. Rename the device in the Alexa app to something simple like "Printer" to make voice commands more reliable. Test the integration by saying, "Alexa, ask Canon what is my ink level" or "Alexa, check my printer ink." IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Refresh the Device Link: If Alexa says the device is unresponsive, go to the Alexa App, navigate to Devices > Printers, delete the TR8620a, and then run "Discover Devices" again. This clears cached IP addresses that may have changed due to DHCP lease renewals on your router. Check Network Frequency: The TR8620a can struggle if the printer is on a 2.4GHz band while the Echo device is on a 5GHz band on some older routers. Ensure "AP Isolation" is turned off in your router settings so the Echo and Printer can communicate via the local gateway. Update Firmware: Access the printer's maintenance menu on the physical OLED screen. Go to Settings > Device Settings > Firmware Update. An outdated firmware version often breaks the API handshake between Canon's cloud and Amazon's servers. Verify Canon Cloud Status: Ensure the printer is registered in the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app. If the printer is not registered as "Online" within the official Canon app, the Alexa skill will have no data to retrieve. HEADS UP Third-Party Cartridges: Be aware that if you are using non-genuine, refilled, or third-party ink cartridges, the chip may not report accurate levels to the cloud, causing Alexa to report "Unknown" or "Full" even when the ink is depleted. Power Management: Avoid using "Deep Sleep" mode if you frequently use voice commands; instead, use the standard "Sleep" mode to ensure the wireless NIC (Network Interface Card) remains responsive to cloud pings. Security Note: Never share your Canon ID credentials. The Alexa skill requires a secure OAuth token to access your printer data; if you change your Canon account password, you must disable and re-enable the Alexa skill to refresh the token.

Question 10

my canon pixma tr8620a won't scan multiple pages from the feeder, it just scans the first one. what am I doing wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The issue where the Canon PIXMA TR8620a scans only the first page of a stack is typically caused by a "Source" mismatch in the driver settings or a mechanical failure of the ADF (Auto Document Feeder) pickup roller. By default, many scanning profiles are set to "Platen" (the flatbed glass). When the printer is set to Platen mode, it treats every job as a single-page scan; even if you place paper in the ADF, the software tells the hardware to stop after the first image is captured because it expects a single sheet on the glass. Another common culprit is the "Paper Size" mismatch. If the software is set to a specific size (like 4x6 photo) but you have loaded Letter-sized paper, the sensor may trigger a "Paper Mismatch" error after the first page, causing the printer to eject the remaining stack without scanning them. Finally, if the rollers are glazed with paper dust or ink residue, they may lack the friction necessary to grip the second sheet, causing the printer to believe the feeder is empty after the first page passes through. FIX To resolve this, you must synchronize the hardware input with the software command. Follow these exact steps: Load your documents into the ADF tray. Ensure the paper guides are snug against the edges of the paper—too loose and the pages will skew, too tight and the roller cannot pull the second sheet. On your computer, open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app or the Canon IJ Scan Utility. Navigate to Settings and select Custom Scan. Locate the Source dropdown menu. Change this from "Platen" or "Flatbed" to ADF. This is the critical step that tells the printer to continue pulling pages until the tray is empty. Under Paper Size, ensure it is set to Letter 8.5" x 11" (or your specific paper size). If this is set to "Auto," the printer may stop if it detects a slight variation in page length. Click Scan. The printer should now pull the first page, feed it through the internal rollers, and immediately trigger the pickup roller for the subsequent pages. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Clean the ADF Pickup Rollers: Open the ADF cover. Locate the small rubber rollers that grip the paper. Use a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water (do not use rubbing alcohol as it can dry out the rubber) and wipe the rollers in the direction of the paper feed. Rotate the rollers manually to clean the entire circumference. This fixes "single-page" issues caused by slippage. Reset the Scan Driver: Completely uninstall the Canon IJ Scan Utility and the MP Drivers from your Control Panel. Restart your PC and reinstall the latest driver package from the Canon support site. Corrupted driver profiles often lock the "Source" setting to Platen regardless of what you select in the UI. Check for "Paper Jam" Ghosting: Check the ADF path for tiny scraps of torn paper. Even a piece the size of a fingernail can trigger the sensor to think the path is blocked after the first page, causing the machine to stop the feed process. Disable "Scan to PDF" Single Page Mode: If you are scanning to PDF, ensure the option "Save all pages in one file" is checked. If this is unchecked, some versions of the software will stop after the first page to prompt you for a new filename for the second page. HEADS UP Avoid Staples: Never run stapled documents through the ADF. Even if you remove the staple, the small holes can catch on the internal sensors, causing a jam that requires a full disassembly to clear. Paper Weight: The TR8620a ADF struggles with paper thicker than 28lb bond or very thin thermal receipts. Stick to standard 20lb office paper for multi-page scans to prevent rollers from slipping. Fan the Paper: Before loading a stack, "fan" the pages to break the static electricity seal between sheets. This prevents the "double-feed" or "no-feed" errors that disrupt multi-page scanning. Firmware Updates: Periodically check the printer's onboard menu under Settings > Device Settings > Firmware Update. Canon frequently releases patches that improve the timing of the ADF sensor triggers.

Question 11

why is my canon pixma tr8620a making a loud grinding noise when it tries to print?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The loud grinding noise in a Canon PIXMA TR8620a is typically caused by a mechanical failure in the carriage drive system or a critical obstruction in the paper feed path. When the printer attempts to move the print head assembly (the carriage) across the encoder strip, any physical blockage—such as a torn piece of paper, a fallen staple, or a buildup of dried ink—forces the stepper motor to skip teeth on the drive gear. This creates a harsh, rhythmic grinding sound as the motor continues to rotate while the carriage remains stationary. Alternatively, the noise may stem from the paper pickup rollers. If a foreign object is lodged in the rear tray or the cassette, the rollers will spin against the obstruction without gripping the paper, causing the plastic gears to chatter. To confirm the source, listen closely to whether the noise occurs immediately upon startup (carriage issue) or only once the print job begins and the rollers engage (feed issue). If the carriage is stuck at one end of the rail, it is almost certainly a carriage jam or a failed timing belt. FIX Power down the printer completely and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet to prevent any electrical surges or accidental movement during the cleaning process. Open the scanning unit/cover to expose the interior. Gently attempt to slide the print head carriage from one side to the other. If it resists, do not force it; instead, look for small scraps of paper lodged in the far left or right "parking" stations. Inspect the encoder strip—the thin, transparent plastic ribbon that runs across the width of the printer behind the carriage. Use a dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe any ink smudges or grease off this strip. A dirty strip causes the carriage to "hunt" for its position, leading to violent movements and grinding. Open the rear cover and the bottom cassette. Use a flashlight to inspect the paper path for any foreign objects like paper clips, staples, or remnants of a previous paper jam. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove any debris carefully. Check the paper guides in the cassette; ensure they are snug against the paper stack but not so tight that they warp the paper, which can cause the rollers to struggle and grind. Reconnect the power and perform a hard reset by holding the power button for 5 seconds, then unplugging for 30 seconds before restarting. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Lubricate the Carriage Rail: Over time, the factory grease on the metal guide rail can dry out or collect dust, creating friction that the motor cannot overcome. Apply a tiny amount of high-quality white lithium grease to the rail and manually slide the carriage back and forth to distribute the lubricant. Clear the Rear Feed Slot: If the grinding happens during paper intake, use a can of compressed air to blow out the rear feed slot. Small particles of dust or hair can get caught in the pickup rollers, causing them to slip and vibrate. Inspect the Timing Belt: Check the black rubber belt that moves the carriage. If you see any fraying or if the belt has jumped a tooth on the gear pulley, the carriage will be misaligned. If the belt is loose, the motor will spin without moving the carriage, producing a loud rattling sound. Reset the Encoder Disk: On the far left side of the printer, there is a circular plastic disk (the encoder disk). If this disk is coated in ink or grease, the printer cannot track the carriage position. Gently clean the disk with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. HEADS UP Never use oil or WD-40 on the internal rails; these attract dust and can degrade the plastic components of the TR8620a. Only use lithium-based grease. Avoid pulling paper out of the printer in the opposite direction of the feed path, as this can bend the delicate plastic pick-up fingers and lead to permanent grinding noises. Ensure you are using paper that meets the weight specifications for the TR8620a; excessively thick cardstock can put undue strain on the feed motors. Always keep the printer covered when not in use to prevent dust from settling on the encoder strip, which is the leading cause of carriage positioning errors.

Question 12

my canon pixma tr8620a printer is saying it's offline on my wifi network, how do I get it back online?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The "Offline" status on a Canon PIXMA TR8620a is typically not a hardware failure, but a communication breakdown between the printer's wireless NIC (Network Interface Card) and your router's DHCP server. This occurs when the printer fails to renew its IP address lease or when the router assigns a dynamic IP that the computer's print spooler can no longer locate. Because this model relies on a specific handshake with the Canon wireless protocol, any momentary dip in signal or a router channel shift can cause the printer to drop the connection while the computer still "expects" it to be at the old address. You can confirm this is a network handshake issue by checking the printer's operation panel. If the Wi-Fi icon is blinking or missing entirely, the printer has lost its association with the SSID. If the icon is solid but the PC says "Offline," the printer is connected to the network, but the Windows/macOS print queue is pointing to a stale IP address. This is often exacerbated by "Power Save" modes on the TR8620a, which can put the network card into a deep sleep from which it cannot wake up without a manual trigger. FIX Follow these steps to perform a hard network reset and re-establish the handshake between your TR8620a and your router. Power down the printer using the Power button. Physically unplug the power cable from the back of the unit and the wall outlet. Wait exactly 60 seconds to clear the volatile memory of the network card. Perform a power cycle on your router. Unplug the power adapter from the router for 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait 3-5 minutes until the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are fully broadcasted and stable. Plug the printer back in and power it on. On the printer's touch screen, navigate to the Setup menu (gear icon). Select Device Settings > LAN settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi setup. Choose Manual Connect. Select your network SSID from the list and enter your WPA2 password. Ensure you are connecting to a 2.4GHz band if your router separates them, as the TR8620a has better stability on 2.4GHz. Once the screen confirms "Connected," go to your computer. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click the TR8620a and select See what's printing. Click the Printer menu and ensure "Use Printer Offline" is unchecked. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Assign a Static IP Address: The most permanent fix for "Offline" errors is preventing the IP from changing. Print a Network Configuration Page from the Setup menu to find the current IP address. Log into your router's admin portal (usually 192.168.1.1) and use the "Address Reservation" or "Static IP" feature to bind the printer's MAC address to a specific IP. This ensures the computer always knows exactly where to find the printer. Disable IPv6: The TR8620a sometimes struggles with IPv6 routing on modern mesh networks. In the printer's LAN settings > TCP/IP settings > IPv6, switch the setting to Disable. This forces the printer to communicate solely via IPv4, which is significantly more stable for home printing. Clear the Print Spooler: A corrupted print job can "lock" the printer in an offline state. On Windows, press Win+R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click and select Stop. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in that folder. Go back to the Services window and Start the Print Spooler. Update Firmware via USB: If the wireless chip is glitching, the printer may not be able to update itself over Wi-Fi. Connect a USB-A to USB-B cable from the printer to your PC. Use the Canon Update tool to check for firmware updates. A firmware patch often resolves "drop-out" issues associated with newer WPA3 router security settings. HEADS UP Avoid "Auto" Switching: If you have a dual-band router (2.4GHz and 5GHz) using the same name (SSID), the TR8620a may attempt to hop between them, causing a disconnect. Giving your 2.4GHz band a unique name (e.g., "HomeWifi_2G") prevents this. Disable Power Saving: In the Device Settings menu, look for Eco settings and disable "Auto Power Off." This keeps the network card active and prevents the printer from falling into a "Deep Sleep" that triggers the offline status. VPN Conflict: If you use a VPN (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) on your laptop, the printer will appear offline because the VPN tunnels your traffic away from the local subnet. Disable your VPN before attempting to print. Signal Interference: Keep the printer at least 3 feet away from large metal objects or microwave ovens, as these can cause electromagnetic interference that drops the 802.11n signal.

Question 13

fax on my canon pixma tr8620a not working, just get a constant busy signal.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The "constant busy signal" on a Canon PIXMA TR8620a typically indicates a failure in the handshake process between the printer's internal fax modem and the telephone exchange. This is rarely a hardware failure of the printer itself; rather, it is almost always a signal interference issue or a physical connection failure. In modern home networking, the most common culprit is the use of VoIP (Voice over IP) or digital phone lines provided by internet service providers. These lines simulate analog signals, but they often lack the precise timing required for the TR8620a's fax modem to establish a connection, resulting in a perceived busy signal or a "Communication Error." Another frequent cause is a "line-sharing" conflict. If you have a cordless phone system, a DSL filter, or an old-school answering machine connected to the same jack, these devices can create electrical noise or "leak" voltage onto the line. This prevents the printer from detecting a clean dial tone. To confirm the root cause, you must isolate the printer from all other telephony equipment. If the printer still produces a busy signal when connected directly to the wall jack with a known-working 2-wire RJ-11 cable, the issue is likely the incompatibility between the printer's analog modem and your digital phone service. FIX Follow these precise steps to isolate the signal and reconfigure the fax settings for maximum compatibility: Isolate the Line: Unplug every single device from your telephone wall jacks, including cordless phone bases and modems. Use a standard, non-filtered RJ-11 telephone cable to connect the wall jack directly to the port labeled "LINE" on the back of the TR8620a. Do not use the "EXT" port, as this is only for daisy-chaining a phone. Verify Dial Tone: On the printer's operation panel, navigate to Setup > Device Settings > Fax Settings > Line Test. If the printer cannot detect a dial tone here, the issue is with the wall jack or the service provider, not the printer settings. Adjust Transmission Speed: High-speed faxing often fails on digital lines. Go to Setup > Device Settings > Fax Settings > Transmission Settings. Change the "Transmission Speed" from "High" or "Auto" to "Low" (or 9600 bps). This slows the data rate, making the signal more stable and less likely to trigger a busy signal. Disable Error Correction Mode (ECM): In the same Transmission Settings menu, locate "ECM" and toggle it to "OFF." ECM is designed to detect errors, but on unstable VoIP lines, it often misinterprets signal noise as a line error, causing the printer to hang up and report a busy signal. Check Dialing Prefix: If you are in an apartment or office with a PBX system, ensure you have configured the "Pause" or "Prefix" settings under Fax Settings > Dialing Settings. If you need to dial "9" to get an outside line, the printer must be programmed to do this automatically. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Install a Fax Adapter: If you are using a VoIP provider (like Xfinity, Spectrum, or Vonage), the analog signal may be too "clean" or compressed for the TR8620a. Purchase a dedicated VoIP-to-Analog fax adapter. This hardware sits between the wall and the printer to translate the signal into a format the PIXMA modem can understand. Replace the RJ-11 Cable: Not all phone cables are created equal. Some cheap cables have high resistance or poor crimps. Replace your current cable with a high-quality, shielded 2-wire telephone cord. Ensure the cable clicks firmly into the "LINE" port; a loose fit can cause intermittent shorts that sound like a busy signal. Test a Different Wall Jack: If your home has multiple phone jacks, the one you are using may be "dead" or not punched down at the central hub. Plug a standard telephone into the jack to verify a clear dial tone before plugging the printer in. Check for DSL Interference: If you have DSL internet on the same line, you must install a DSL filter between the wall jack and the printer. Without a filter, the high-frequency noise from the internet signal will drown out the fax modem's handshake. HEADS UP Avoid the "EXT" Port: Never plug your wall line into the port labeled "EXT." That port is an output intended for a telephone handset; plugging the wall line into it will result in total signal failure. Paper Jam Check: Even if the error says "Busy," check the fax document feeder. A tiny scrap of paper stuck in the rollers can occasionally trigger a logic error that prevents the modem from initiating a call. Firmware Updates: Periodically check for firmware updates via the Setup > Device Settings menu. Canon occasionally releases patches that improve modem compatibility with modern digital phone lines. Avoid Power Strips: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet. Low-voltage power surges from cheap power strips can introduce electrical noise into the fax modem, causing transmission failures.

Question 14

can i print photos directly from my phone to the canon pixma tr8620a without a computer?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is fully capable of wireless photo printing without a PC, but the confusion often stems from the distinction between "proprietary app integration" and "system-level printing protocols." While the printer does not require a dedicated Canon driver to be installed on a mobile device, it relies on standardized communication protocols: Apple AirPrint for iOS devices and Mopria or the Canon Print Service for Android. The root cause of failure in this process is typically a "handshake" error between the device and the printer. This happens when the printer is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band while the phone is on a 5GHz band, or when the printer's "Wireless Direct" mode is disabled. To confirm the printer is ready, check the LCD screen for the wireless antenna icon; if there is a slash through it or it is blinking, the printer is not on the network and cannot be seen by your phone regardless of the app you use. FIX Follow these exact steps to establish a direct wireless printing connection for photos: Enable Wireless Connection: On the printer's operation panel, tap the "Wireless" icon or go to Settings > Device Settings > LAN settings > Wireless LAN. Ensure the status is "Enabled." Network Alignment: Connect your smartphone to the same SSID (network name) as the printer. If your router has "Smart Connect" (merging 2.4GHz and 5GHz), this is fine. If they are separate, ensure both are on the 2.4GHz band for maximum compatibility. For iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open the "Photos" app. Select the image you wish to print. Tap the "Share" icon (square with an upward arrow) in the bottom left corner. Scroll down and select "Print." Tap "Select Printer" and choose "Canon TR8600 series" (the TR8620a identifies as part of the 8600 series). Adjust your paper size (e.g., 4x6 or Letter) and tap "Print." For Android: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing. Ensure the "Default Print Service" or "Canon Print Service" is toggled ON. Go to your Gallery or Google Photos app, select the photo, tap the three-dot menu (top right), select "Print," and choose the TR8620a from the dropdown menu. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Use Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App: If the system-level printing (AirPrint/Mopria) fails, download the "Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY" app from the App Store or Google Play. This app provides a more robust discovery tool that can "force" the phone to find the printer via a temporary Wi-Fi Direct bridge, bypassing the router entirely. Toggle Wireless Direct Mode: If you don't have a router, go to the printer's LAN settings and enable "Wireless Direct." This turns the printer into its own Wi-Fi hotspot. On your phone, scan for Wi-Fi networks and connect to the network named "Canon_ij_..." using the password displayed on the printer's screen. Clear the Print Spooler: If the document says "Printing" but nothing happens, restart the printer by unplugging the power cord for 30 seconds. Simultaneously, restart your phone. This clears the cached print queue on both devices. Check IP Conflict: If the printer is "Offline" on your phone, assign a Static IP to the printer via the Web Configuration page (accessed by typing the printer's IP address into a mobile browser) to prevent the router from changing the printer's address. HEADS UP Ink Consumption: Printing high-resolution photos from mobile devices often defaults to "Standard" quality. To avoid wasting expensive ink, manually change the quality setting to "High" or "Photo" within the print dialogue before hitting the final print button. Paper Loading: Ensure you have loaded photo paper in the rear tray and changed the paper type setting on the printer's LCD to "Photo Glossy" or "Photo Matte." If the printer thinks it is printing on Plain Paper, the ink will saturate the page and cause smudging. Battery Drain: Using Wireless Direct mode (printing without a router) consumes more battery on both the phone and the printer; use a wall outlet if printing a large album. Firmware Updates: Periodically check for firmware updates via the printer's maintenance menu. Outdated firmware is the primary cause of AirPrint connectivity drops after iOS updates.

Question 15

canon pixma tr8620a power usage seems high, is 7 watts when printing normal?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The power consumption of 7 watts during an active print cycle on the Canon PIXMA TR8620a is actually on the lower end of the operational spectrum and is considered normal. To understand why, you must look at the mechanical load of an All-in-One (AiO) device. Unlike a dedicated single-function printer, the TR8620a maintains a complex internal architecture that includes a flatbed scanner assembly, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), a wireless network card (Wi-Fi), and a thermal inkjet print head. When the printer is active, the power draw spikes to move the carriage assembly (the rail that holds the ink cartridges) across the page and to drive the paper feed rollers. The 7-watt figure represents the baseline operational load. If you are seeing this number on a smart plug or power monitor, you are seeing the energy required to maintain the logic board's state while simultaneously powering the stepper motors. If the wattage remains at 7W or higher even when the printer is completely idle, you likely have a "wake-lock" issue where a network ping or a stuck print queue is preventing the device from entering its deep-sleep state (which should be roughly 0.8W to 1.2W). FIX To optimize the power profile of your TR8620a and ensure it is not drawing unnecessary current, follow these precise configuration steps to force the device into its lowest possible power state: Enable Auto Power Off: On the printer's home screen, navigate to the Setup (gear icon) menu. Select Device Settings > Eco settings > Auto power off. Set this to 2 hours or 4 hours. This ensures the printer completely shuts down the power rails if left unattended. Configure Energy Saving Mode: In the same Eco settings menu, locate Energy saving. Ensure this is set to "Enabled." This allows the LCD screen to dim and the wireless radio to enter a low-power polling mode. Clear the Print Spooler: On your connected PC, open Services.msc, right-click Print Spooler, and select Restart. A stalled document in the queue can keep the printer's logic board in a "Ready" state, preventing it from dropping from 7W down to the 0.8W standby mode. Disable Unused Connectivity: If you do not use the Fax feature, go to Setup > Device Settings > Fax Setup and disable any automatic redial or polling features that might keep the modem active. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Isolate the Power Source: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet rather than a cheap power strip or an older surge protector. Some low-quality power strips cause "phantom loads" or voltage drops that can cause the printer's internal power supply to work harder (drawing more current) to maintain a steady DC voltage for the print head. Perform a Hard Power Reset: While the printer is on, pull the power cord directly from the back of the unit. Wait exactly 60 seconds. This drains the capacitors on the mainboard and clears the volatile memory (RAM), which can resolve glitches where the printer stays in a high-power "wake" state despite the screen being off. Update Firmware: Use the Canon PRINT app or the onboard menu to check for firmware updates. Canon occasionally releases patches that optimize the "Deep Sleep" transition timing, reducing the overall daily kilowatt-hour consumption. Check for "Wake-on-LAN" Interference: If you have a sophisticated network router, disable "UPnP" or aggressive network discovery for the printer's IP address. Some routers constantly ping the printer to check its status, which repeatedly wakes the TR8620a from its 0.8W sleep state back to a higher power state. HEADS UP Avoid Frequent Hard-Offs: Do not unplug the printer from the wall to save power. The TR8620a performs a critical print head cleaning cycle during its power-up sequence; doing this too often wastes ink and can lead to clogged nozzles. Ink Level Impact: Be aware that power draw can fluctuate slightly based on the type of ink being used. Using high-capacity XL cartridges doesn't change power draw, but frequent cleaning cycles (triggered by low ink or long periods of inactivity) will cause temporary spikes in wattage. Ambient Temperature: If the printer is kept in a very cold environment, the internal heaters used to maintain ink viscosity may activate, causing a slight increase in baseline power consumption.

Question 16

my canon pixma tr8620a won't scan using the auto document feeder, it just makes a noise and says error.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This issue is typically caused by a failure in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) pickup mechanism, where the printer detects a "Paper Jam" or "Feed Error" (often Error Code 1300 or 1000) even if no visible paper is present. The "noise" you hear is the pickup roller spinning rapidly without gripping the page, or the drive gear slipping because the sensor believes the paper has already entered the path. This happens when the rubber pickup rollers become glazed with paper dust or ink residue, losing the friction necessary to pull the sheet forward. Alternatively, the problem is often a mechanical misalignment of the paper guides. If the guides are too loose, the page enters the feeder at an angle, triggering the skew sensor. If they are too tight, the paper buckles, preventing the roller from engaging. To confirm the cause, observe the rollers through the ADF gap; if the roller spins but the paper doesn't move, it is a traction issue. If the printer stops immediately with a loud click, it is likely a sensor obstruction or a fragmented piece of paper lodged in the gear assembly. FIX Follow these precise steps to clear the path and restore traction to the rollers: Power off the printer and unplug the power cord from the wall to prevent electrical shorts while cleaning. Lift the ADF cover (the hinged top section). Look inside the feeder slot using a flashlight. Check for tiny torn pieces of paper or staples that may be blocking the optical sensor. Locate the grey rubber pickup rollers. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water (do not use rubbing alcohol as it can dry out the rubber). Gently wipe the rollers, rotating them manually to clean the entire circumference. Ensure the paper guides in the ADF tray are snug against the edges of your document stack. There should be no gap, but the paper should not be bowing or curving. Load a small stack of standard 20lb bond paper (avoid thin inkjet paper or heavy cardstock for this test). Close the ADF cover firmly. You must hear a distinct "click" on both sides to ensure the sensor arm is fully depressed. Plug the printer back in and attempt a scan. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Perform a Hard Reset: While the printer is on, unplug the power cord from the back of the unit. Wait exactly 60 seconds to allow the capacitors to discharge, then plug it back in. This clears the temporary memory of the "Error" state which sometimes persists even after the jam is cleared. Check the ADF Sensor Arm: Inspect the small plastic lever (the actuator) located where the paper enters the feeder. If this arm is stuck in the "up" position due to a piece of debris, the printer thinks paper is already loaded and will throw an error. Gently flick it with a toothpick to ensure it springs back freely. Clean the Scanner Glass Strip: The ADF uses a narrow strip of glass to the left of the main flatbed. If there is a smudge of ink or a piece of adhesive tape on this strip, the printer may stop the feed process mid-way. Clean this specific strip with a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Update Firmware: Access the printer's maintenance menu on the LCD screen and check for firmware updates. Canon occasionally releases patches to adjust the sensitivity of the ADF timing sensors to prevent false jam errors. HEADS UP Never use a vacuum cleaner inside the ADF path; the static electricity can damage the sensitive image sensors. Avoid using staples or paper clips in the ADF; a single bent staple can scratch the scan glass or permanently jam the pickup gears. Limit your ADF stack to 20 sheets of plain paper to prevent the motor from overheating or slipping. If you frequently scan heavy or textured paper, use the flatbed glass instead of the ADF to avoid wearing out the rubber rollers prematurely.

Question 17

can i print legal size paper on my canon pixma tr8620a? the manual is gone.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is designed to handle legal-size paper (8.5" x 14"), but it cannot do so using the standard front paper cassette. The front cassette is physically limited to Letter size (8.5" x 11") and cannot be extended to accommodate the extra 3 inches of length required for legal documents. If you attempt to force legal paper into the cassette, the printer will either jam immediately or throw a "Paper Mismatch" error because the internal sensors detect a length discrepancy. To print legal documents, you must utilize the Rear Paper Feed tray, which is an open-loading system that allows the paper to protrude further back than the cassette allows. The root cause of most "failed" legal printing attempts on this model is a software-hardware mismatch: the user loads the paper in the rear but leaves the printer settings on "Letter," causing the printer to stop mid-page or trigger an error message stating that the loaded paper size does not match the print settings. FIX To successfully print on legal-size paper, follow these precise hardware and software configuration steps: Prepare the Hardware: Open the Rear Paper Feed tray by lifting the support arm. Insert your 8.5" x 14" legal paper vertically. Ensure the paper is pushed firmly against the backstop. Adjust the Guides: Slide the blue paper width guides until they snugly touch the edges of the paper. Do not over-tighten, as this can cause the paper to bow and result in a "Paper Jam" error. Set Paper Information on Printer: On the printer's LCD touch screen, navigate to the Setup menu (gear icon) > Device settings > Paper settings. Select the Rear tray and change the paper size from "Letter" to "Legal". Confirm the selection. Configure the Print Driver (PC/Mac): Open the document you wish to print and select Print. Go to Printer Properties or Preferences. In the "Main" or "Quick Setup" tab, find the Paper Size dropdown menu and explicitly select Legal (8.5" x 14"). Select the Source: In the same properties menu, ensure the Paper Source is set to Rear Tray rather than "Auto" or "Cassette." Execute Print: Click Print. The printer will now recognize the extended length and allow the paper to feed through without triggering a size mismatch error. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check for "Paper Mismatch" Error: If the printer displays a "Paper Mismatch" error, it means the software setting (e.g., Letter) doesn't match the hardware setting (Legal). Press the "Stop" button to cancel the job, go back into the printer's LCD menu, and ensure the Rear Tray is set to Legal. Then, re-check your computer's print dialog box to ensure it also says Legal. Clear Ghost Jams: If the printer refuses to pull the legal paper, check the rear feed rollers for debris. Use a can of compressed air to blow out the rear feed slot. Sometimes a small piece of torn Letter paper from a previous job can obstruct the sensor, making the printer think there is a jam when you load legal paper. Update the Driver: If "Legal" does not appear in your computer's dropdown menu, you may be using a generic "Class Driver" installed by Windows/macOS. Download the specific TR8620a full driver package from the Canon support site to unlock all supported paper size options. Verify Paper Weight: Ensure you are using standard 20lb to 24lb bond paper. If you are using heavy legal-sized cardstock, the rear tray may struggle to grip the paper. In this case, fan the paper stack before loading to remove static cling. HEADS UP Avoid Cassette Loading: Never attempt to modify or force the front cassette to fit legal paper; this will permanently damage the plastic chassis and void your warranty. Ink Consumption: Legal documents use roughly 27% more ink per page than standard letter documents. If you are printing high-coverage images on legal paper, monitor your ink levels closely to avoid mid-page streaks. Support Arm: Always ensure the rear paper support arm is fully extended. If it is collapsed, the legal paper may sag, causing the printer to pull the page at an angle, resulting in skewed text. Loading Capacity: Do not overfill the rear tray. Load no more than 20 sheets of legal paper at a time to prevent multi-sheet feeding (where the printer pulls two pages at once).

Question 18

how do i get my canon pixma tr8620a to work with alexa for ink alerts? i can't figure it out.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The inability to receive ink alerts via Alexa on the Canon PIXMA TR8620a usually stems from a "handshake" failure between the Canon PRINT cloud service and the Amazon Alexa skill. For Alexa to announce ink levels, the printer cannot simply be connected to your local Wi-Fi; it must be registered to a Canon account and opted-in to "Cloud Printing" and "Remote UI" services. If the printer is only connected via a local IP address without a linked Canon ID, the Alexa skill has no cloud-based endpoint to query for ink levels. Furthermore, many users encounter this issue because the printer is in a "Deep Sleep" mode or the "Auto Power" setting is disabling the wireless radio. If the printer's network interface is dormant, the Canon cloud server cannot poll the ink levels, and Alexa will respond with "I couldn't find a device" or simply remain silent. You can confirm the root cause by checking the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your mobile device; if you cannot see the ink levels while your phone is on a different network (LTE/5G), the cloud link is broken, which is why Alexa cannot see the printer. FIX Follow these exact steps to establish the cloud link and activate the ink alerts: On the printer's touch screen, navigate to Settings > Device Settings > LAN Settings > Wi-Fi and confirm the connection is "Connected." Open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your smartphone. Ensure you are logged into your Canon account. If you haven't created one, register an account using a valid email address. In the app, select your TR8620a from the device list. Go to the Cloud settings and ensure that "Cloud Printing" and "Remote UI" are toggled to ON. This allows the printer to push ink data to Canon's servers. Open the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device. Tap the More icon in the bottom right and select Skills & Games. Search for the "Canon Ink Alert" skill. Tap Enable to Use. When the login screen appears, enter the exact same credentials (email and password) used for the Canon PRINT app. This links the two ecosystems. Once linked, tell Alexa, "Alexa, discover my devices." Wait for the confirmation that the printer has been found. To test the setup, ask, "Alexa, what is the ink level of my Canon printer?" IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Disable Power Saving: Go to the printer's Settings > Device Settings > Eco Settings > Auto Power Off and set it to Off. If the printer shuts down completely, it disconnects from the cloud, and Alexa cannot trigger an alert. Check Network Frequency: The TR8620a supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but Alexa devices often struggle if the printer is on 5GHz while the Echo is on 2.4GHz. Try assigning the printer to the 2.4GHz band for better stability with smart home integrations. Reset the Skill Cache: In the Alexa app, disable the Canon Ink Alert skill entirely, then go to Devices and delete the printer. Restart your router, then re-enable the skill and re-link the account from scratch. Update Firmware: On the printer screen, go to Settings > Device Settings > Firmware Update. An outdated firmware version can cause the API communication between Canon and Amazon to fail. HEADS UP Ink Thresholds: Alexa typically only triggers an "alert" when ink levels drop below 20%. It will not notify you for minor drops in ink. Account Matching: The most common failure point is using a different email for the Canon account and the Alexa skill; they must be identical. Privacy Settings: Ensure that "Allow Amazon to access Canon account data" is checked during the skill authorization process, or the ink levels will remain hidden. Network Stability: If you use a VPN on your router, the Canon Cloud service may block the connection, preventing ink alerts from reaching Alexa.

Question 19

canon pixma tr8620a printing super slow, like way slower than advertised, is this normal?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This issue is typically not a hardware failure but a mismatch between the printer's "advertised" speeds and the actual software configuration. Canon advertises the TR8620a's speed based on "Draft" mode using 5ppm (pages per minute) standards, which ignore the time it takes for the carriage to travel and the ink to dry. When you print in "Standard" or "High" quality, the printer increases the DPI (dots per inch) and performs multiple passes over the same area to eliminate banding, which can drop the speed from 15 ppm to as low as 2-3 ppm. Furthermore, the TR8620a relies heavily on its internal buffer memory. If you are printing a high-resolution PDF or a document with embedded high-DPI images via a wireless connection, the printer spends more time waiting for data packets to arrive from your router than it does actually laying ink on the paper. You can confirm if the bottleneck is the connection or the settings by performing a "Nozzle Check" or "Test Page" directly from the printer's onboard LCD menu; if the internal test prints quickly but your computer documents print slowly, the issue is the data pipeline or the driver settings. FIX To restore the maximum possible printing speed, you must adjust the driver settings on your host computer and optimize the connection path. Follow these exact steps: Open the Control Panel on your PC (or System Settings > Printers & Scanners on Mac). Right-click the Canon TR8600 series printer and select Printing Preferences. Navigate to the Main tab. Look for the Print Quality dropdown menu. Change the setting from "Standard" or "High" to Draft. This reduces the ink density and number of passes, maximizing the pages-per-minute output. Go to the Quick Setup tab and ensure that Grayscale Printing is checked if you are printing text-heavy documents; this prevents the printer from wasting time mixing colors to create black text. Click Apply and then OK. On the printer's physical LCD screen, go to Settings > Device Settings > Energy Saving and ensure the "Auto Power Off" is not triggering premature sleep modes during long print jobs. Restart the print spooler by typing services.msc in the Windows search bar, finding Print Spooler, right-clicking it, and selecting Restart. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the speed remains sluggish despite using Draft mode, try these deeper technical interventions: Switch to a Wired Connection: If you are using Wi-Fi, the TR8620a can experience "stuttering" where the print head stops mid-page to wait for data. Connect the printer directly to your router via an Ethernet cable or connect your PC via a USB-B to USB-A cable to bypass wireless interference. Disable "Quiet Mode": Access the printer's onboard menu and navigate to Settings > Device Settings > Quiet Mode. When Quiet Mode is enabled, the printer intentionally slows down the carriage movement to reduce noise, which can cut printing speed by 50% or more. Update the Firmware: Outdated firmware can cause communication lags between the driver and the hardware. Go to Settings > Device Settings > Firmware Update and select Update to ensure the printer is running the latest Canon logic. Simplify the Document: If you are printing a PDF with "layers" or high-resolution images (300+ DPI), the printer's RAM may overflow. Use the "Print as Image" option in Adobe Acrobat's advanced print settings to flatten the file before it hits the printer buffer. HEADS UP Keep these maintenance and performance tips in mind to avoid future slowdowns: Avoid Third-Party Ink: Non-genuine ink cartridges can sometimes trigger "Ink Low" warnings or viscosity issues that cause the print head to slow down to prevent clogging. Paper Matching: Ensure the paper type selected in the driver (e.g., "Plain Paper") matches the actual paper in the tray. Selecting "Photo Paper" while using plain paper will force the printer into a slow, high-saturation mode. Clear the Buffer: If the printer hangs, perform a hard reset by unplugging the power cord from the wall for 60 seconds to clear the volatile memory (RAM) of any corrupted print jobs. Check Signal Strength: If you must use Wi-Fi, ensure the printer is within 15 feet of your router or use a 2.4GHz band, as the TR8620a can struggle with 5GHz signal penetration through walls.

Question 20

my canon pixma tr8620a printer is stuck in standby mode and won't wake up, anyone else have this?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The "stuck in standby" state on the Canon PIXMA TR8620a is typically a result of a communication deadlock between the printer's internal logic board and the network interface. This occurs when the printer receives a malformed print command or a "half-packet" data stream via Wi-Fi, causing the firmware to hang while waiting for the rest of the data. Because the printer believes it is actively processing a request, it refuses to enter a full "Wake" state or respond to physical button presses on the control panel. You can confirm this is a software-level hang if the power light is illuminated but the OLED display remains dim or unresponsive to the "Stop" or "Home" buttons. In many cases, this is exacerbated by the "Auto Power On" feature, which attempts to wake the device from a deep sleep state but fails because the network handshake is corrupted. If the printer is connected via a 5GHz network while the device is struggling with 2.4GHz interference, the standby loop becomes more frequent. FIX To break the logic loop and force a hardware reset of the TR8620a, follow these precise steps: While the printer is "on" (even in standby), press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds until the unit shuts down completely. Physically disconnect the AC power cord from the back of the printer and unplug it from the wall outlet. This is critical to drain the capacitors on the main board. Leave the printer unplugged for exactly 120 seconds. Do not plug it back in sooner, as the volatile memory needs time to clear. On your computer (Windows or macOS), open the Print Queue. Right-click any pending documents and select "Cancel" or "Remove All Documents." If a job is stuck as "Deleting," restart your computer to clear the local spooler. Plug the power cord back into the wall first, then into the printer. Power the unit on. When the OLED screen initializes, immediately press the "Home" button to ensure the interface is responsive before sending any new print jobs. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Perform a Network Reset: If the standby issue is caused by a DHCP conflict, navigate to the Setup menu (gear icon) > Device Settings > LAN settings > Reset LAN settings. This clears the cached IP address and forces the printer to request a new identity from your router, which often clears the "wake-up" blockage. Disable Auto Power On: Navigate to Setup > Device Settings > Energy saving settings > Auto Power On. Toggle this to "OFF." Many TR8620a users find that the automatic wake-up trigger is the primary cause of the standby freeze; manually powering on the device prevents this firmware glitch. Update Firmware via USB: If the printer is stuck in a loop, Wi-Fi updates may fail. Connect the printer to a PC via a USB A-to-B cable. Use the Canon update utility to check for firmware versions beyond v1.11. Firmware updates specifically address "communication stability" which directly impacts standby behavior. Assign a Static IP: Use the printer's web interface (type the printer's IP address into a browser) to change the IPv4 settings

Question 21

how do i get alexa to tell me when my canon pixma tr8620a is low on ink? i set it up but it's not talking to me.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The failure of the Canon PIXMA TR8620a to push ink notifications to Alexa is typically not a hardware failure, but a "handshake" break between the Canon Cloud and the Amazon Alexa Skill. For Alexa to announce ink levels, the printer must not only be on Wi-Fi but must be registered to a Canon account via the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app and linked to the cloud. If the printer is connected to Wi-Fi but "silent," the cloud-to-cloud communication is severed, meaning the printer is reporting low ink to the local network, but that data isn't reaching the Amazon servers. To confirm the root cause, check the printer's LCD screen. If you see a "Low Ink" warning on the machine itself but Alexa remains silent, the issue is a synchronization error within the Canon Skill permissions. Furthermore, if the printer is connected to a 5GHz band while your Alexa device is on 2.4GHz, some router configurations prevent the necessary API calls from triggering the "push" notification required for proactive voice alerts. FIX Follow these exact steps to re-establish the communication link and enable proactive notifications: Open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your mobile device. Ensure you are logged into your Canon account. Navigate to the printer settings and verify that "Cloud Printing" or "Remote UI" is enabled. Open the Amazon Alexa App. Tap the "More" icon in the bottom right and select Skills & Games. Search for the "Canon" skill. If it is already enabled, disable it first to clear the cache, then re-enable it. When prompted, log in using the exact same credentials used for the Canon PRINT app. This is the most common point of failure; mismatched accounts will prevent ink data from syncing. Once the account is linked, go to Devices > Printers and ensure the TR8620a is listed as "Online." Navigate to the Settings menu within the Alexa app, select Notifications, and ensure that "Alerts" for the Canon Skill are toggled to "On." Perform a test: If your ink is currently low, ask Alexa, "Alexa, ask Canon for my ink levels." If she answers correctly now, the proactive alerts are activated. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Reset the Network Stack: On the TR8620a operation panel, go to Settings > Device Settings > LAN Settings > Reset LAN Settings. Reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi. This forces the printer to request a new IP address and refresh its registration with the Canon Cloud servers. Check the "Do Not Disturb" Mode: Ensure your Echo device is not in "Do Not Disturb" mode. If this is active, Alexa will receive the low ink notification from the Canon server but will not announce it verbally or light up the ring. Verify Ink Cartridge Chip Integrity: If you are using third-party or refilled cartridges, the TR8620a may not be able to read the ink level accurately. If the printer screen shows "Ink level unknown," the cloud server receives no data, and Alexa will have nothing to report. Replace with genuine Canon CLI-285/286 cartridges to test. Update Printer Firmware: Navigate to the printer's maintenance menu and select "Firmware Update." Outdated firmware on the TR8620a often contains bugs that cause the cloud link to time out every 24-48 hours. HEADS UP Genuine Ink Only: Alexa notifications rely on the chip on the cartridge. Non-Canon cartridges often bypass these sensors, rendering voice alerts useless. Power Management: Avoid using a power strip that completely cuts power to the printer. If the printer is fully powered down (rather than in Sleep mode), it cannot send the "Low Ink" trigger to the cloud. 2.4GHz Stability: For the most reliable connection, ensure your router's 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands have different names (SSIDs) and connect the TR8620a specifically to the 2.4GHz band. App Sync: Periodically open the Canon PRINT app once a week; this "wakes up" the account link and prevents the Alexa skill from timing out due to inactivity.

Question 22

can i print photos directly from my phone to the canon pixma tr8620a? there's no app mentioned anywhere.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The confusion regarding "no app" usually stems from a misunderstanding of how the Canon PIXMA TR8620a handles mobile connectivity. Contrary to the idea that it lacks an app, this printer is designed to work with the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY application. If you cannot find a dedicated "TR8620a App," it is because Canon uses a universal application for their entire PIXMA line rather than model-specific software. The root cause of printing failure from a phone is typically a "Network Mismatch." The TR8620a supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, but if your phone is connected to a 5GHz band and the printer is locked to 2.4GHz (or vice versa) on a dual-band router, they will not "see" each other despite being on the same Wi-Fi name. You can confirm this by checking the printer's LCD screen; if the Wi-Fi icon is flashing or shows a connection error, the handshake between the mobile device and the printer's network interface card (NIC) has failed. FIX To print photos directly from your phone, follow these precise steps to establish a handshake between your device and the TR8620a: Download and install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On the printer's touchscreen, tap the Wireless Setup icon (usually represented by a signal tower) and select LAN settings > Wi-Fi > Enable. Run the Wireless Setup wizard on the printer to connect it to your home router. Enter your Wi-Fi password exactly; remember that it is case-sensitive. Open the Canon PRINT app on your phone. Tap the "Add Printer" or "Search" icon. The app will scan your local network for the TR8620a's IP address. Once the printer appears in the list, select it. The app will now sync with the printer's ink levels and status. Tap Photo Printing within the app, select the image from your gallery, choose your paper size (e.g., 4x6 or Letter), and hit Print. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Use AirPrint (iOS) or Mopria (Android): You do not actually need the Canon app if you prefer native printing. On an iPhone, open the photo, tap the Share icon, scroll down to Print, and select the TR8620a from the printer list. For Android, ensure the Mopria Print Service plugin is installed from the Play Store to enable the "Print" option in your gallery. Enable Wireless Direct: If you don't have a router, use the printer as its own hotspot. Go to Network Settings > Wireless Direct on the printer screen. This will generate a unique SSID (Network Name) and Password. Connect your phone's Wi-Fi directly to the printer's signal, then use the Canon PRINT app. Perform a Network Reset: If the printer is "invisible" to the app, go to Settings > Device Settings > Reset settings > LAN settings. This clears old IP conflicts and allows you to start the pairing process from scratch. Check Frequency Banding: If you have a high-end mesh router, temporarily disable the 5GHz band in your router settings. Connect the printer to the 2.4GHz band, pair the phone, and then re-enable 5GHz. This solves the common "Discovery" failure on the TR8620a. HEADS UP Ink Consumption: Printing high-resolution photos from a phone often defaults to "High Quality," which drains the PGI-280 and CLI-281 cartridges rapidly. Switch to "Standard" in the app settings for non-professional prints. Paper Loading: Ensure you have selected the correct paper type in the app (e.g., Photo Glossy) and that the corresponding paper is loaded in the rear tray. If the app says "Paper Mismatch," the printer will pause and flash a U1251 error code. Firmware Updates: Periodically check for firmware updates via the printer's Maintenance menu. Outdated firmware often causes the TR8620a to drop its connection to newer Android or iOS versions.

Question 23

why does my canon pixma tr8620a use so much power? i can hear it humming even when it's 'off'.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The humming sound you hear from your Canon PIXMA TR8620a is caused by "coil whine" or electromagnetic vibration emanating from the internal switch-mode power supply (SMPS). Even when the printer appears to be "off" via the power button, the device is actually in a low-power standby state. In this state, the internal circuitry remains energized to maintain the wireless network connection (Wi-Fi), keep the print head primed to prevent ink clogging, and monitor for incoming fax signals or remote wake-up commands from your computer or smartphone. This specific model is designed with an "Auto Power On" feature and a constant network listener. The hum is the result of the transformer within the power board vibrating at a frequency audible to the human ear, which is exacerbated if the printer is placed on a hard, resonant surface like a wooden desk. You can confirm this is a standby issue by observing the power button; if it is glowing amber or if the display panel wakes up instantly without a boot sequence, the motherboard is still drawing current and the power supply is active. FIX To eliminate the hum and stop the phantom power draw, you must bypass the software-level "Off" switch and cut the physical electrical circuit. Follow these steps for a complete shutdown: Press the Power button on the top control panel and wait for the screen to go completely black. Locate the AC power cord at the rear of the printer. Grip the plug firmly and pull it directly out of the wall outlet or the power strip. If you are using a surge protector, flip the master switch to the OFF position. To prevent this from happening daily, plug the TR8620a into a power strip with an integrated on/off toggle switch. This allows you to kill the power to the SMPS without repeatedly unplugging the cable, which prevents wear and tear on the printer's power socket. When you are ready to print again, flip the switch on the power strip back to ON and press the printer's power button to initiate the full boot-up and cleaning cycle. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Disable Auto Power On: Navigate to the Setup menu on the LCD screen, select Device Settings, then Energy Saving. Turn off the "Auto Power On" feature. This reduces the frequency with which the printer wakes itself up, though it may not entirely silence the SMPS hum if the plug remains in the wall. Change the Surface Material: If the hum is loud, it is often amplified by the furniture. Place a thick rubber anti-vibration mat or a neoprene pad (roughly 5mm to 10mm thick) underneath the printer. This decouples the vibrating power supply from the desk and significantly reduces the audible noise. Check for Firmware Updates: Access the Maintenance menu and select Firmware Update. Occasionally, Canon releases updates that optimize the power management profiles of the motherboard, which can reduce the voltage draw during standby and potentially quiet the coil whine. Isolate the Power Source: If you hear a buzzing sound coming from the wall rather than the printer, you may have "dirty" power or electrical interference on that circuit. Plug the printer into a different outlet on a separate circuit breaker to see if the humming persists. HEADS UP Ink Maintenance: Be aware that cutting power completely via a switch or plug means the printer cannot perform its automatic "mini-cleans." If you leave the printer unplugged for more than two weeks, you may experience clogged nozzles in the print head, requiring a costly "Deep Cleaning" cycle. Power Surges: Always use a surge protector. The TR8620a's power board is sensitive to voltage spikes; a sudden surge during a thunderstorm can fry the SMPS, turning a quiet hum into a permanent failure. Avoid "Hard" Resets: Never pull the power plug while the printer is actively printing or performing a head cleaning cycle, as this can lead to mechanical jams or corrupted internal memory.

Question 24

my canon pixma tr8620a keeps disconnecting from wifi every few hours, so annoying. how do i make it stay connected?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The intermittent connectivity on the Canon PIXMA TR8620a is typically caused by "DHCP Lease Expiration" or "Frequency Band Steering." The TR8620a is designed to operate on the 2.4GHz band. Many modern routers use a feature called Smart Connect or Band Steering, which merges the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands into one SSID. When the router attempts to "push" the printer to the 5GHz band for better performance, the printer's hardware cannot maintain the handshake, causing the connection to drop and the printer to enter a disconnected state every few hours. Another common culprit is the printer's power-saving mode. When the TR8620a enters a deep sleep state, the network interface card (NIC) can occasionally fail to "wake up" and re-authenticate with the router's DHCP server. This results in the printer losing its assigned IP address, which manifests as a "Printer Offline" error on your computer even though the printer appears to be powered on. You can confirm this by checking your router's client list; if the printer's IP address disappears or changes frequently, you are dealing with a dynamic IP conflict. FIX To permanently stabilize the connection, you must assign a Static IP address to the printer and disable the Auto-Power-Off network settings. Follow these exact steps: Press the Setup button (represented by a pliers and screwdriver icon) on the printer's operation panel. Navigate to Device settings > LAN settings > TCP/IP settings > IPv4. Select IP address and change the setting from Auto to Manual. Enter a specific IP address that is outside your router's common DHCP range (for example, if your router is 192.168.1.1, assign the printer 192.168.1.200). Ensure the Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0 and the Gateway is your router's IP (usually 192.168.1.1). Go back to the main Setup menu and navigate to Device settings > Eco settings. Locate Auto power off and set this to Off. This prevents the network card from shutting down completely during sleep. Restart the printer by holding the power button for 5 seconds, then turn it back on to lock in the static IP. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Split your Wi-Fi Bands: Access your router's admin panel (usually via 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and disable "Smart Connect." Create two separate SSIDs: one named "Home_2G" and one "Home_5G." Connect the TR8620a exclusively to the 2G network. This eliminates the band-steering conflict that drops the connection. Change the Wireless Channel: Interference from neighboring routers on the same channel can cause drops. In your router settings, change the 2.4GHz channel from "Auto" to a static channel—specifically 1, 6, or 11. These are non-overlapping channels and provide the most stable signal for Canon wireless chips. Disable IPv6: Some network environments struggle with the TR8620a's IPv6 implementation. In the printer's LAN settings > TCP/IP settings, find IPv6 and switch it to Disable. This forces the printer to communicate only via IPv4, which is significantly more stable for printing tasks. Update Firmware via USB: If the Wi-Fi is too unstable to update, connect a USB cable from your PC to the printer. Run the Canon Update tool to ensure you are on the latest firmware version. Early versions of the TR8620a firmware had known bugs regarding wireless wake-on-LAN stability. HEADS UP Avoid USB Hubs: If you are using a USB-to-Wi-Fi adapter or a complex network switch, ensure the printer is connected to the primary router to avoid "Double NAT" issues. Clear the Area: Ensure the printer is at least 3 feet away from microwave ovens, cordless phone bases, or baby monitors, as these all operate on the 2.4GHz frequency and cause signal "noise." Paper Jam Warning: If you experience a connection drop immediately after a paper jam, the printer may have entered an error state that suspended network services. Always clear the jam and restart the printer before attempting to reconnect. Static IP Note: If you change your router or reset your network settings, you will need to manually update the Static IP on the printer or set it back to "Auto" to regain connectivity.

Question 25

can i print legal size documents on my canon pixma tr8620a? i need to print some contracts.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is physically capable of printing legal-size documents (8.5" x 14"), but it cannot do so using the main front cassette. The front cassette is designed specifically for Letter or A4 sizes and lacks the physical depth to accommodate a 14-inch sheet without jamming or causing a "Paper Size Mismatch" error. This is why many users assume the printer is limited to standard sizes. To confirm your printer is ready, you must use the Rear Tray (the manual feed slot at the top back). The root cause of most "cannot print legal" issues is a disconnect between the physical paper loaded in the rear tray and the software settings in the Canon print driver. If the driver is set to "Letter" while legal paper is loaded, the printer will either stop mid-page or trigger an error code because the sensor detects the paper is longer than the expected page length. FIX Physical Loading: Open the rear paper support and slide the paper guides to the 8.5" width. Insert your legal-size (8.5" x 14") paper into the rear tray. Ensure the paper is pushed firmly against the guides but not forced, as over-tightening can cause the paper to buckle and jam. Printer Panel Setup: Once the paper is loaded, the printer's LCD screen will prompt you to register the paper information. Select "Change" and navigate to "Paper Size." Scroll through the list and select "Legal 8.5" x 14"". Confirm the "Media Type" (e.g., Plain Paper) and press OK. Computer Driver Configuration: Open the document you wish to print on your PC or Mac. Go to File > Print. Click on "Printer Properties" or "Preferences." Page Setup: In the "Quick Setup" or "Main" tab, locate the "Page Setup" section. Change the "Page Size" dropdown menu from "Letter" to "Legal." This is the critical step; if the software is not set to Legal, the printer will cut off the bottom 2 inches of your contract. Final Print: Ensure the "Paper Source" is set to "Rear Tray" instead of "Cassette." Click OK and then Print. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Clear the Paper Mismatch Error: If the printer displays a "Paper size mismatch" error, press the "Stop" button on the printer console to clear the current job. Power cycle the machine by unplugging the power cord for 30 seconds. This resets the internal paper sensors and allows you to re-register the legal size from scratch. Update the Canon Driver: If "Legal" does not appear in your software dropdown menu, you are likely using a generic Windows Class Driver. Download the full "TR series" driver package from Canon's support site. The generic drivers often limit paper size options to standard A4/Letter. Check for "Fit to Page" Settings: If the contracts are printing but the text is shrunk or shifted, look at the "Scaling" options in your print dialog. Ensure "Scale to Fit" is unchecked and "Actual Size" (100%) is selected, otherwise, the printer may try to squeeze a legal document onto a letter-sized layout. Inspect the Rear Tray Guides: If the paper is skewing (printing diagonally), check for small debris or dust in the rear tray guides. Use a can of compressed air to clear the feed rollers to ensure the legal sheet is pulled in perfectly straight. HEADS UP Avoid Mixing Trays: Do not load legal paper in the rear tray while keeping letter paper in the front cassette unless you explicitly specify the "Rear Tray" as the source in your print settings, or the printer may pull from the wrong source. Ink Consumption: Legal documents have more surface area; if you are printing heavy contracts with a lot of bold text, monitor your PGI-280 black ink levels to avoid mid-document streaks. Paper Weight: Use standard 20lb or 24lb bond paper for legal documents. Extremely heavy cardstock in the rear tray can occasionally cause "Paper Feed" errors when printing the longer 14-inch length. Dry Time: If using high-quality inkjet paper for contracts, allow the bottom of the legal sheet to dry for a few seconds before stacking, as the larger surface area can lead to smudging on the trailing edge.

Question 26

my canon pixma tr8620a printer won't turn on at all, no lights, nothing. is it dead?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A completely unresponsive Canon PIXMA TR8620a with no indicator lights points to a power delivery failure. The primary suspects are a faulty power connection or a corrupted internal state. In rare cases, it indicates a critical internal hardware failure. FIX First, perform a full power cycle to reset the printer's internal power controller: Unplug the power cord from the rear of the printer and from the wall outlet. Wait at least 60 seconds to ensure any residual power drains from the printer's capacitors. While unplugged, press and hold the physical power button on the printer for 10 seconds. Firmly reconnect the power cord directly to a known-working wall outlet (avoid power strips or surge protectors for this test). Plug the other end securely into the printer's power port. Press the power button once to turn it on. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Systematically isolate the problem: Test the Outlet & Cord: Verify the wall outlet is live by plugging in a lamp or phone charger. If possible, test the printer with a different, undamaged AC power cord. Inspect for Physical Damage: Check the printer's power port for any bent pins or debris. Examine the power cord for cuts, kinks, or a damaged plug. Bypass Surge Protectors: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet to rule out a failed power strip or uninterruptible power supply (UPS). If the printer remains lifeless with a confirmed-good power source, the internal power supply unit (PSU) or main logic board has likely failed. HEADS UP This model draws minimal power in standby (0.8W), so a persistent no-power state is a serious symptom. Do not attempt to open the printer or service internal components yourself, as this involves high-voltage parts and voids the warranty. The final resolution for an internal failure is to contact Canon Support for repair or service options.

Canon PIXMA TR8620a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer

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