Diagnosis
The appearance of horizontal colored streaks, "banding," or missing lines of color on your Canon PIXMA TR8620a is typically caused by partial blockages in the printhead nozzles. Because this printer uses a fine-nozzle injection system, even a microscopic particle of dried ink or an air bubble trapped in the ink delivery line can prevent a specific row of nozzles from firing. When the printhead moves across the page, the missing ink creates a gap, and the printer attempts to compensate by over-spraying in other areas, resulting in those erratic streaks. This most commonly occurs if the printer has sat idle for more than two weeks, allowing ink to dehydrate at the nozzle interface, or if you are using non-genuine third-party inks that have a different viscosity or sediment level. To confirm this is a nozzle issue rather than a software glitch, print a "Nozzle Check" pattern. If the grid lines for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Black are broken or missing entirely, the problem is physical blockage within the printhead assembly.
How to Fix It
To resolve the streaks, you must force ink through the nozzles to clear the obstructions using the built-in maintenance suite. Follow these exact steps:
- Power on the printer and ensure there is paper loaded in the rear tray.
- On the printer's home screen, tap the Setup icon (represented by a gear or pliers/screwdriver icon).
- Navigate to Maintenance and select Cleaning.
- Select All Colors and press OK. The printer will run a standard cleaning cycle for approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Once finished, print a Nozzle Check pattern. If the lines are still broken, return to the Maintenance menu and select Deep Cleaning.
- Warning: Deep Cleaning consumes a significant volume of ink (roughly 15-20% of a cartridge) to create high-pressure flow. Select the specific colors that are streaking to save ink, or select "All Colors" for a total flush.
- After the Deep Cleaning cycle, wait 10 minutes before printing another test page. This allows any trapped air bubbles to settle and stabilize.
If That Didn't Work
- Perform a Manual Printhead Flush: If the software cleaning fails, the printhead may be severely clogged. Carefully remove the ink cartridges. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth dampened with distilled water (not rubbing alcohol) and gently dab the bottom of the printhead assembly. Do not scrub; simply press the cloth against the nozzles to draw out dried ink.
- Check Ink Levels and Vent Holes: Ensure your cartridges are not critically low. If you are using refillable cartridges, check that the small air vent hole on the top of the cartridge is not blocked by a sticker or dried ink. If air cannot enter the cartridge, a vacuum forms, preventing ink from reaching the nozzles.
- Align the Print Head: Sometimes streaks are caused by misalignment rather than clogs. Go to Setup > Maintenance > Alignment. Choose "Auto Alignment" to ensure the printhead is hitting the paper at a perfect 90-degree angle.
- Replace the Printhead: If the TR8620a continues to streak after three deep cleanings and a manual flush, the printhead may have suffered electrical failure or permanent "burning" of the nozzles. In this case, the printhead assembly must be replaced as a hardware unit.
Heads Up
- Avoid Long Idle Periods: To prevent future clogs, print at least one full-color page every 7 to 10 days. This keeps the ink fresh and prevents the nozzles from drying out.
- Use Genuine Canon PGI-280 and CLI-281 Inks: Third-party inks often have larger pigment particles that can clog the microscopic nozzles of the TR8620a, leading to permanent streaking.
- Avoid "Over-Cleaning": Do not run more than three Deep Cleaning cycles in a 24-hour period. Excessive cleaning can overheat the printhead and waste an entire set of ink cartridges without improving the result.
- Power Down Properly: Always use the Power button on the machine rather than pulling the plug. This ensures the printhead parks in the "capped" position, sealing the nozzles from air.