Question 1

it won't print from my iphone even though it worked last week. the app finds it but then fails.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TS6520 utilizes a protocol called mDNS (Multicast DNS), commonly known as Bonjour, to announce its presence to iOS devices. When the Canon PRINT app "finds" the printer but fails to execute the job, it indicates a "ghost connection." The printer's IP address has likely shifted due to a DHCP lease renewal from your router, or the printer's network interface has entered a stale state where it acknowledges the handshake but cannot maintain the data stream for the actual print file. This is frequently caused by "Network Sleep" mode on the TS6520, where the printer drops the active socket connection to save power but fails to fully wake the wireless radio when the iPhone sends the print command. Because the iPhone sees the device ID in the cache, it thinks the printer is online, but the actual TCP/IP path is blocked. You can confirm this by checking the OLED display; if it shows a wireless icon but the "Network Status" page prints a different IP address than what is listed in your router's client list, the connection is desynchronized. FIX To resolve this, you must clear the network cache and force a fresh handshake between the iOS device and the printer hardware. Follow these exact steps: Power off the printer completely using the power button. Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet for exactly 60 seconds to drain the capacitors on the logic board. While the printer is off, restart your iPhone by holding the side button and volume up button until the "slide to power off" slider appears. This clears the iOS AirPrint spooler cache. Plug the printer back in and turn it on. On the 1.42" OLED display, press the Setup button (pliers/screwdriver icon). Navigate to Device settings > LAN settings > Wireless LAN setup. Select Reset LAN settings and confirm by selecting Yes. This wipes the corrupted network profile without affecting your ink levels or printer settings. Select Easy Wireless Connect on the printer. Open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your iPhone. Tap the "Add Printer" icon and follow the prompts to re-link the TS6520 to your Wi-Fi. Ensure your iPhone is connected to the 2.4GHz band, as the TS6520 often struggles with 5GHz "Smart Connect" bands that merge both frequencies. Once the app confirms the printer is "Online," attempt a test print of a single page. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Assign a Static IP Address: Access your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and find the TS6520 in the DHCP client list. Set a "DHCP Reservation" for the printer's MAC address. This prevents the IP from changing, which is the primary reason AirPrint connections fail after a week of uptime. Disable "Auto Power Off": In the printer's OLED menu, go to Setup > Device settings > Energy saving. Change the "Auto power off" setting to "Off" or extend the timer. This prevents the wireless radio from entering a deep sleep that the iPhone cannot wake. Toggle Private Wi-Fi Address: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" icon next to your network, and toggle Private Wi-Fi Address to OFF. Some Canon firmware versions reject connections from randomized MAC addresses for security reasons. Hard Reset the Network Card: If the OLED menu is unresponsive, press and hold the Stop button until the alarm lamp flashes 5 times, then release. This performs a soft-reset of the wireless card specifically. HEADS UP Band Steering: If you have a mesh Wi-Fi system (like Eero or Google Nest), the TS6520 may intermittently disconnect if the router tries to "steer" it to a 5GHz band. If possible, create a dedicated 2.4GHz guest network specifically for your printers. Firmware Updates: Periodically check the OLED screen for a "Firmware Update" notification. Canon frequently releases patches for the TS-series to improve AirPrint stability. Ink Clogging: If you fix the connection but the pages come out streaky, perform a "Cleaning" cycle via the Maintenance menu. This is common if the printer has been idle while you were troubleshooting the network.

Question 2

the touch buttons on the oled screen don't respond or i have to press them ten times.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The unresponsive or "ghost" touching on the Canon PIXMA TS6520 OLED interface is typically caused by one of two things: a buildup of static electricity/surface contaminants or a physical separation between the capacitive touch layer and the OLED display panel. Because this printer uses a small 1.42-inch OLED screen, the touch sensors are highly sensitive to the electrical conductivity of your skin. If there is a thin layer of oils, dust, or humidity on the surface, it creates an insulating barrier that prevents the capacitive sensor from registering a press, forcing you to press repeatedly or harder to trigger the command. In more severe cases, the internal adhesive holding the touch-digitizer film to the glass has degraded or shifted. This creates a microscopic air gap. When you press the button, the physical displacement isn't translating to the sensor immediately, leading to the "ten times" press requirement. You can confirm if this is a hardware failure or a surface issue by checking if the screen responds normally after a deep clean; if the buttons are completely dead in specific zones regardless of pressure, the digitizer film has likely failed or the ribbon cable has loosened. FIX To resolve surface-level conductivity issues and reset the touch interface, follow these precise steps: Power off the printer using the power button and then physically unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet to drain all residual capacitors. Dampen a high-quality microfiber cloth with a small amount of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. Do not spray alcohol directly onto the OLED screen, as liquid can seep into the bezel and short the logic board. Wipe the 1.42-inch screen in a circular motion, ensuring you clear the edges where the screen meets the plastic housing, as grime buildup here often interferes with the touch border. Use a dry section of the microfiber cloth to buff the screen until no streaks remain. While the unit is still unplugged, apply firm, steady pressure (without cracking the glass) across the entire surface of the screen using your thumb, moving from the center to the edges. This can sometimes reseat a slightly lifted touch film. Plug the power cord back in and boot the printer. Navigate to the Setup menu > Device Settings and perform a "Reset settings" to clear any software-level input lag. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Perform a Hard Hardware Reset: Unplug the printer and hold the power button down for 30 seconds. This discharges the internal motherboard capacitors and forces the touch controller to re-initialize its calibration upon the next boot. Check for Firmware Conflicts: Sometimes a pending firmware update causes input lag on the OLED screen. Connect the printer to your PC via USB and use the Canon IJ Setup utility to check for a firmware version update. An outdated version can cause the CPU to lag, making the buttons feel unresponsive. Inspect the Ribbon Cable: If you are comfortable opening the chassis, check the flat flexible cable (FFC) connecting the OLED assembly to the main logic board. If the cable is skewed or has a speck of dust in the connector, the signal will be intermittent. Unseat the cable, clean the gold contacts with a pencil eraser, and reseat it firmly. External Control Bypass: If the screen is physically damaged, use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your smartphone. This allows you to bypass the physical OLED buttons entirely for scanning, copying, and maintenance tasks. HEADS UP Avoid using window cleaners or ammonia-based sprays on the OLED screen; these chemicals strip the oleophobic coating, making the screen more prone to fingerprints and touch failure. Keep the printer away from high-humidity areas (like bathrooms or damp basements), as moisture can penetrate the OLED bezel and cause permanent "dead zones" on the touch panel. Avoid pressing the screen with fingernails or sharp objects; the capacitive layer is thin and can be punctured, leading to permanent ghost-touching where the printer thinks a button is being held down constantly. Ensure the printer is plugged into a surge protector. Power spikes can degrade the sensitive touch-controller IC on the motherboard over time.

Question 3

the scanner makes a loud knocking sound and won't go home when i try to copy something.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The loud knocking sound occurs because the scanner's CIS (Contact Image Sensor) carriage has lost its "home" position calibration. When you initiate a copy or scan, the printer sends a signal to the stepper motor to move the carriage to the home sensor. If the carriage is physically obstructed or the drive belt has slipped, the motor continues to push the carriage against the internal plastic chassis, creating a repetitive, rhythmic knocking or grinding noise. This is typically caused by a mechanical jam—such as a foreign object falling into the scanner bed gap—or a failure of the drive belt to grip the pulley. In the Canon PIXMA TS6520, the carriage is lightweight and held by a thin rubber belt; if this belt stretches or jumps a tooth on the gear, the carriage cannot reach the optical sensor that tells the printer it has arrived "home," triggering a continuous loop of the motor trying to force the carriage further than the physical frame allows. You can confirm this by listening to the sound: if it is a rapid-fire "thump-thump-thump" specifically from the right side of the scanner bed, the carriage is hitting the mechanical stop. FIX To resolve the mechanical jam and reset the home position, follow these precise steps: Power off the printer using the power button and disconnect the AC power cord from the wall outlet to prevent electrical surges or accidental motor activation. Lift the scanner lid fully. Carefully inspect the glass for any debris or small objects that may have fallen into the crevices at the edges of the scanner bed. Locate the scanner carriage (the white plastic bar with the light) under the glass. If it is jammed against the far right or left side, place your finger gently on the carriage and apply very light pressure in the opposite direction of the knock. Slowly and manually slide the carriage toward the center of the glass. Do not force it; if you feel significant resistance, stop immediately to avoid snapping the drive belt. Inspect the drive belt—the thin, black rubber belt located above the carriage. Ensure it is flat, not twisted, and seated firmly on the pulley wheels. If it has slipped off the gear, use a plastic tool or a blunt pencil to gently guide it back onto the sprocket. Once the carriage is centered and the belt is aligned, reconnect the power cord. Turn the printer on. The printer will perform a "homing" sequence where the carriage moves automatically to calibrate its position. If the knocking stops and the carriage settles at one end, the issue is resolved. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Perform a Hard Power Reset: With the printer on, unplug the power cord directly from the back of the unit. Wait exactly 60 seconds to allow the internal capacitors to discharge. While unplugged, hold the power button down for 15 seconds. Plug the unit back in and restart. This can clear "ghost" errors in the firmware that keep the motor running. Clean the Encoder Strip: If the carriage moves but still "hunts" for the home position, the thin transparent plastic strip (the encoder strip) running parallel to the carriage may be smudged with ink or dust. Use a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth to very gently wipe the strip. Avoid using alcohol or cleaning fluids, as these can erase the microscopic timing marks. Check for Chassis Warping: Inspect the plastic frame around the scanner glass. If the printer was dropped or hit, the frame may be slightly bowed, pinching the carriage. Apply gentle pressure to the outer casing to see if the carriage regains free movement. Factory Reset the Device: Navigate to the OLED display menu: Setup > Device Settings > Reset device. This forces the printer to re-initialize all hardware components, including the scanner motor calibration. HEADS UP Avoid Manual Force: Never pull the scanner carriage with significant force. The drive belt is thin and can easily stretch or snap, which requires a complete teardown of the scanner assembly to replace. Keep the Lid Closed: To prevent dust and debris from falling into the carriage track, keep the scanner lid closed when not in use. Even a small piece of paper or a staple can jam the CIS carriage. Power Cycle Sequence: Always power down the device via the button before unplugging it. Cutting power during a carriage movement can lead to corrupted calibration data in the NVRAM. Surface Stability: Ensure the TS6520 is on a completely level surface. An uneven tilt can cause the carriage to slide slightly off-axis, increasing friction and leading to the knocking sound over time.

Question 4

all my prints have faint horizontal white lines or gaps in the color, especially cyan.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The appearance of faint horizontal white lines or "banding" in the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is caused by partial obstructions in the microscopic nozzles of the printhead. Because this model uses a fine-nozzle inkjet system, even a tiny speck of dried ink or a trapped air bubble in the cyan channel will prevent a consistent stream of ink from hitting the page. As the printhead moves back and forth, these missing droplets create the characteristic gaps or streaks you see in the final image. This most commonly occurs if the printer has sat idle for more than two weeks, allowing the ink at the nozzle interface to dehydrate and harden. It can also happen if you have recently replaced a cartridge and an air pocket was introduced into the ink delivery system. You can confirm this by printing a "Nozzle Check" pattern; if the cyan grid contains white gaps or missing segments, the issue is confirmed as a physical blockage rather than a software or driver setting. FIX To clear these obstructions, you must perform a graduated cleaning process via the printer's OLED interface. Follow these exact steps: Press the Setup button (represented by the pliers/screwdriver icon) on the printer's control panel. Use the arrow keys to navigate to Maintenance and press the OK button. Select Cleaning and press OK. Select "All Colors" and let the process run for approximately 90 seconds. Once finished, select Print Nozzle Check from the Maintenance menu. If the cyan lines still show gaps, you must escalate to a more aggressive clean. Return to the Maintenance menu and select Deep Cleaning. This process uses a higher pressure of ink to force out stubborn clogs. Wait for the Deep Cleaning cycle to complete fully. Do not power off the printer during this phase. Print another Nozzle Check. If the lines are now solid, the issue is resolved. If they are still faint, repeat the Deep Cleaning one more time, but wait 24 hours between cycles to allow any trapped air bubbles to naturally rise and dissipate. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the software-based cleaning cycles fail to remove the banding, try these advanced recovery methods: Manual Printhead Priming: Remove the ink cartridges and check for any orange protective tape remnants that may be partially blocking the vents. If the cartridges are genuine Canon PG-260/CL-261, ensure the vents on top are completely clear. A blocked vent creates a vacuum that prevents ink from flowing, causing the "faint" look. The Damp Cloth Method: Power off the printer and open the scanning unit. Carefully remove the cartridges. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth dampened with distilled water (not rubbing alcohol) and gently dab the bottom of the printhead assembly where the ink exits. This can manually dissolve dried ink crusts that the internal pumps cannot reach. Print Alignment Calibration: Sometimes "lines" are actually misalignment issues rather than clogs. Navigate to Setup > Maintenance > Print Head Alignment. Choose "Auto Alignment." The printer will print a series of patterns and use the scanner to calibrate the head position, which often eliminates perceived gaps. Cartridge Replacement: If the cyan ink is specifically failing after a Deep Cleaning, the cartridge itself may have a faulty seal or a manufacturing defect in the ink delivery channel. Replace the CL-261 color cartridge with a fresh, genuine Canon unit to rule out a defective ink supply. HEADS UP Keep these maintenance tips in mind to prevent future banding: Print Weekly: To prevent ink from drying in the nozzles, print at least one full-color page every 7 to 10 days. Avoid Third-Party Inks: Non-genuine inks often have different viscosities and surface tensions, which frequently lead to nozzle clogging and "faint" streaks on the TS6520 model. Power Down Correctly: Always use the power button on the panel rather than a power strip. This ensures the printhead parks in the "capped" position, sealing the nozzles from air. Ink Levels: Never let your ink levels drop to the "critical" empty mark. Running a cartridge nearly dry can suck air into the printhead, requiring multiple Deep Cleaning cycles to fix.

Question 5

i keep getting a 'paper jam' error but there is absolutely no paper stuck anywhere.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is prone to "phantom" paper jams where the printer reports a jam (Error Code 1300 or 1000) despite the paper path appearing clear. This happens because the printer relies on physical "sensor flags"—tiny, spring-loaded plastic levers—to detect the movement of paper. If a flag becomes stuck in the "down" position due to a microscopic tear of paper, a buildup of dust, or a lubricant leak, the printer assumes paper is still present in the path and halts all operations for safety. In most cases, the culprit is a tiny scrap of paper (sometimes as small as a confetti piece) lodged beneath the rear duplexing unit or the print head carriage path. Another common cause is the "encoder strip"—the clear plastic band running across the width of the printer—becoming smudged with ink or grease, which confuses the printer's positioning system and triggers a generic jam error. You can confirm this by observing if the print head moves slightly and then immediately retreats or stops with a loud thumping sound. FIX To clear a phantom jam on the TS6520, follow this precise sequence to reset the sensors and clear the path: Power off the printer and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. This is critical to discharge the capacitors and reset the logic board. Open the rear cover (the flap on the back of the machine). Use a high-lumen LED flashlight to inspect the gap between the rear tray and the internal rollers. Look specifically for small white fragments of paper caught in the rubber rollers. Locate the two black plastic sensor flags (small levers) inside the rear path. Gently flick them with your fingertip; they should snap back instantly. If they feel sluggish, use a can of compressed air to blow out any debris from the hinge point. Open the scanning unit/cover to access the print head carriage. Gently slide the carriage from left to right. If it hits a hard stop before reaching the end, check for a jammed piece of paper or a foreign object (like a paperclip) in the far right "parking" area. Locate the Encoder Strip—the thin, transparent plastic strip running horizontally behind the print head. Using a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth, gently wipe the strip from one end to the other. Do not use alcohol or cleaning fluids, as this can erase the timing marks on the strip. Close all covers, plug the printer back in, and power it on. If the error persists, hold the Stop button for 5 seconds to clear the internal error cache. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Hard Reset the Logic Board: While the printer is ON, pull the power cord directly from the back of the machine. Wait exactly 60 seconds. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds while unplugged to drain residual electricity. Plug it back in and restart. This often clears "ghost" errors stored in the volatile memory. Clean the Feed Rollers: Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean the rubber pickup rollers in the rear tray. If the rollers are slick or dusty, they may slip, causing the printer to think there is a jam because the paper isn't moving at the expected speed. Check for "Paper-Like" Debris: Inspect the output tray area for any small pieces of tape or labels that may have peeled off the paper and stuck to the internal rollers. Even a small piece of adhesive can hold a sensor flag in the "active" position. Update Firmware: Access the printer's OLED menu, navigate to Setup > Device Settings > Firmware Update. Canon occasionally releases patches that adjust the sensitivity of the paper sensors to reduce false positives. HEADS UP Avoid Force: Never pull paper out of the printer with excessive force, especially from the front. Always pull in the direction of the paper path (towards the rear) to avoid bending the sensor flags. Paper Quality: Use high-quality, 20lb bond paper. Overly thin or damp paper is more likely to tear during duplexing, leading to the tiny fragments that cause these phantom jams. Dust Prevention: If the printer is in a dusty environment, use compressed air every few months to blow out the rear paper path and the carriage rail to prevent sensor malfunctions. Ink Leakage: If you see ink streaks on the encoder strip, replace your cartridges immediately. Leaking ink can coat the strip, causing the printer to lose track of the carriage position and trigger a jam error.

Question 6

it's making a loud grinding or crunching noise from the right side when it starts up.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The grinding or crunching noise emanating from the right side of the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is almost always caused by a mechanical failure in the Service Station (purge unit). This assembly is responsible for capping the printheads to prevent ink from drying and performing cleaning cycles. When the printer initializes, the carriage moves to the right to dock with this unit. If the purge unit is stuck or a gear is slipping, the motor continues to drive the mechanism against a hard stop, creating a loud, repetitive grinding sound. This typically happens due to a "paper jam cascade" where a small scrap of paper—often no larger than a fingernail—gets lodged in the gear teeth or the wiping blade assembly. Alternatively, a buildup of thickened, dried ink (ink sludge) can create enough friction to stall the plastic gears. You can confirm this by observing the carriage: if the printhead attempts to move to the far right but "stutters" or vibrates violently without fully seating, the purge unit is the culprit. FIX Power down the printer and disconnect the power cable from the wall to prevent accidental motor activation while your hands are inside the chassis. Open the main scanning unit (top cover) and the paper output tray to gain maximum visibility. Locate the Service Station on the far right side. This is the gray plastic housing where the ink cartridges park. Use a high-lumen LED flashlight to inspect the narrow gaps between the plastic guide rails and the wiper blade. If you see a scrap of paper, use a pair of fine-tipped needle-nose pliers or tweezers to gently pull the debris outward. Do not push the paper further into the gear assembly. Check the "capping station"—the small rubber rectangular seal. If it is covered in a thick, crusty layer of ink, gently dab it with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water to soften the residue. Manually slide the printhead carriage to the center of the printer to ensure it moves freely on the metal rail, then slowly guide it back to the right to see if the grinding persists without power. Reconnect the power cable and perform a "Hard Reset" by holding the power button for 5 seconds, then restarting to recalibrate the carriage home position. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check for Foreign Objects: Small items like paperclips, staples, or coins frequently fall into the top feeder and slide down to the right-side mechanism. Use a vacuum with a crevice tool or compressed air to clear the area around the right-side gears. Lubricate the Carriage Rail: If the noise is a high-pitched screech rather than a crunch, the stainless steel carriage rail may be dry. Apply a tiny amount of synthetic lithium grease (do not use WD-40) to the rail using a cotton swab, then move the carriage back and forth manually to spread it. Perform a Deep Cleaning Cycle: If the noise is intermittent, the purge unit may be partially clogged. Navigate to the OLED display: Setup &rsaquo; Maintenance &rsaquo; Cleaning &rsaquo; Deep Cleaning. This forces the pump to engage and may clear a minor mechanical obstruction. Check the Encoder Strip: Look for a thin, clear plastic strip running horizontally across the printer. If there is a smudge of ink or grease on this strip, the printer "loses" the position of the carriage and may slam it into the right wall, causing a crunching sound. Clean the strip gently with a dry, lint-free cloth. HEADS UP Never use rubbing alcohol or acetone on the rubber capping station, as these chemicals can degrade the seal and lead to permanent printhead clogging. Avoid forcing the printhead carriage manually if it feels completely locked; forcing it can strip the plastic teeth of the drive gear, requiring a full chassis replacement. Ensure you are using high-quality, weight-appropriate paper. Using overly thick cardstock in the TS6520 often leads to the "micro-tears" that cause these mechanical jams. If the grinding noise is accompanied by a "5100" or "5200" error code on the OLED screen, it confirms a carriage jam and requires the mechanical clearance steps listed above.

Question 7

printer is connected to wifi but says 'offline' on my computer every single time.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The Canon PIXMA TS6520 typically suffers from a communication breakdown caused by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) lease expiration. By default, your router assigns a temporary IP address to the printer. When the router reboots or the lease expires, the router assigns a new IP address to the TS6520, but the Windows print spooler continues to send data to the old, now-defunct address. This results in the "Offline" status because the computer is essentially knocking on a door that no longer exists. You can confirm this by comparing the IP address currently displayed on the printer's 1.42" OLED screen with the port address listed in your computer's printer properties. If the printer shows 192.168.1.15 but the computer is targeting 192.168.1.12, the handshake is broken. This is further complicated by the "WSD" (Web Services for Devices) port, which Canon uses by default; while intended to be "plug-and-play," WSD is notoriously unstable and frequently drops the connection during sleep cycles. FIX To resolve this permanently, you must move the printer from a dynamic WSD port to a Static Standard TCP/IP port. On the printer's OLED display, press the Setup (pliers/screwdriver icon) button. Navigate to Device settings > LAN settings > Confirm LAN settings > Print LAN details. Locate the IPv4 Address on the printed page (e.g., 192.168.1.XX) and write it down exactly. On your Windows PC, open the Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers. Right-click the Canon TS6500 series icon and select Printer Properties (not "Properties"). Click the Ports tab at the top. You will see a checkmark next to a port starting with "WSD-". Click Add Port... > select Standard TCP/IP Port > click New Port.... In the "Printer Name or IP Address" field, type the exact IPv4 address you noted from the printed page. Click Next, then Finish. Ensure the new TCP/IP port is now checked in the list. Click Apply and then Close. The printer status should immediately flip to "Online." IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Disable SNMP Status: In the same Ports tab mentioned above, highlight your new TCP/IP port and click Configure Port.... At the bottom of the window, uncheck the box that says SNMP Enabled. Some routers block SNMP packets, which tricks Windows into thinking the printer is offline even when the IP is correct. Clear the Print Spooler: If the status remains offline, press Win+R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart. This flushes any "stuck" jobs that are preventing the status update. Assign a Static IP via Router: Access your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for Address Reservation or Static DHCP. Find the Canon printer in the device list and lock its MAC address to its current IP. This prevents the IP from ever changing again, even after a power outage. Disable "Use Printer Offline" Mode: Open the print queue by double-clicking the printer icon. Click the Printer menu at the top left. Ensure there is no checkmark next to Use Printer Offline. If there is, click it to disable the mode. HEADS UP Avoid WSD: Whenever you reinstall drivers for a Canon TS-series printer, always manually create a TCP/IP port. WSD is the primary cause of "Offline" errors across the entire PIXMA line. Power Cycle Sequence: If you change router settings, always reboot in this order: Router first, wait 2 minutes, then turn the printer on. This ensures the printer requests a fresh handshake. Sleep Mode Issues: The TS6520 has an aggressive energy-saving mode. If you experience intermittent drops, go to Device settings > Eco settings and increase the Auto power off timer. Network Bandwidth: Ensure the printer is connected to the 2.4GHz band of your Wi-Fi. The TS6520 can struggle with 5GHz "Smart Connect" bands that merge both frequencies into one SSID.

Question 8

my ts6520 just shows 'check ink' and won't print even though the cartridges are full, what gives?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The "Check Ink" error on the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is rarely about the actual volume of ink remaining in the reservoir; rather, it is a communication failure between the cartridge's gold contact points and the printer's internal sensor array. This model utilizes a chip-based monitoring system that reads electrical resistance to estimate ink levels. When a layer of oxidized ink, dust, or a microscopic film of oil builds up on these contacts, the circuit is broken, triggering a "false empty" or "ink exhausted" state that locks the print head to prevent permanent damage from printing "dry." Furthermore, this specific error often occurs after using third-party remanufactured cartridges or if the printer has been idle for several weeks. In these cases, the printer's firmware fails to recognize the chip's unique ID or detects a discrepancy in the voltage return, leading the OLED display to signal an error even if the tanks are physically full. You can confirm this by attempting to print a nozzle check pattern; if the printer refuses to move the carriage at all, it is a logic-level communication error rather than a physical clog. FIX To resolve the communication error and clear the "Check Ink" message, follow these precise steps to reset the hardware interface: Power down the printer completely and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet to discharge any residual electricity in the capacitors. Open the scanning unit/cover to expose the ink carriage. Wait for the carriage to slide to the center. If it doesn't move, manually slide it to the replacement position. Carefully remove all four ink cartridges (C, M, Y, and BK) by pushing down on the tabs. Inspect the gold-plated contact pads on the back of each cartridge. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth dipped in a small amount of 90% isopropyl alcohol or distilled water. Gently wipe the contacts in a single direction to remove oxidation or ink residue. Look inside the printer's cartridge slots. Locate the small gold spring-pins that make contact with the cartridges. Use a dry cotton swab to gently clean these pins, ensuring no fibers are left behind. Reinsert the cartridges. You must hear a distinct "click" for each one. If the cartridge is not seated perfectly flush, the pins will not engage, and the error will persist. Close the cover and plug the printer back into the wall. When the "Check Ink" message reappears on the OLED screen, press and hold the Stop/Reset button (the red triangle icon) for exactly 5 to 10 seconds. This overrides the ink level monitor and forces the printer to ignore the low-ink warning. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Perform a Hard Logic Reset: Turn the printer on, then unplug the power cord from the back of the machine while it is still running. Wait 60 seconds. Plug it back in and immediately hold the Stop button while powering on. This clears the volatile memory cache where the ink error is stored. Update Firmware via Canon PRINT App: Sometimes the TS6520 encounters a "chip mismatch" error due to outdated firmware. Use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your smartphone to check for a firmware update. Updating the internal OS can resolve compatibility issues with newer batches of ink cartridges. Isolate the Faulty Cartridge: Remove all cartridges except for the Black (BK). If the printer allows you to enter the menu, the BK is fine. Add the Cyan (C) and repeat. The moment the "Check Ink" error returns, you have identified the specific cartridge with the defective chip. Replace that single unit. Clean the Encoder Strip: If the printer thinks the ink is low because the carriage isn't reaching the "home" position correctly, locate the thin, clear plastic strip (encoder strip) running across the width of the printer. Gently wipe it with a dry cloth. A smudge of grease here can confuse the printer's positioning sensors, triggering generic ink errors. HEADS UP Avoid Tape: Never place adhesive tape over the ink chips to "trick" the printer; this can permanently bend the contact pins in the carriage, requiring a full print head replacement. Ink Quality: Using non-genuine ink can lead to more frequent "Check Ink" errors. If using third-party tanks, always keep a spare set on hand as chip failures are more common in remanufactured units. Prevent Drying: To prevent the contacts from oxidizing, print at least one full-color page every week. This keeps the print head moist and ensures the electrical contacts remain active. Power Cycle: Always use a surge protector. Power spikes can occasionally corrupt the ink level data stored in the printer's NVRAM, leading to phantom "empty" readings.

Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer Duplex Printing, White – Home Printer with Copier/Scanner, 1.42” OLED Displa

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