the black ink on my canon pixma ts3520 is printing really faint and streaky, even though the cartridge says it's full.

Diagnosis

The faint, streaky output on your Canon PIXMA TS3520 is caused by "nozzle crystallization." Because this model uses an integrated print head (the nozzles are built directly into the bottom of the PG-275 black cartridge), the ink at the exit points dries into a hard, plastic-like crust when the printer sits idle. This creates a physical blockage that prevents the ink from flowing evenly, resulting in horizontal white lines (banding) or a faded grey appearance despite a full reservoir. You can confirm this by performing a "Nozzle Check" print. If the black grid pattern shows gaps or missing segments while the color blocks are solid, the issue is localized to the black cartridge's print head. This is often exacerbated by using non-genuine third-party cartridges, which may have a different ink viscosity that dries faster than the OEM Canon formula.

How to Fix It

To clear these blockages, you must perform a tiered cleaning process. Start with a standard clean and escalate to a deep clean if necessary.

1. On a Windows PC, open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers. Right-click the Canon TS3500 series icon and select Printing Preferences.
2. Click the Maintenance tab at the top of the window.
3. Select Cleaning. The printer will run a short cycle to push ink through the nozzles. Once finished, print a Nozzle Check pattern to see if the streaks are gone.
4. If the streaks persist, return to the Maintenance tab and select Deep Cleaning. This process uses a significantly higher volume of ink to force out stubborn clogs. Note: This will consume a noticeable amount of your black ink.
5. Wait for the printer to complete the cycle (approximately 3-5 minutes). Do not power off the device during this process.
6. Print another Nozzle Check. If the black ink is still faint, repeat the Deep Cleaning process one more time. If it still fails after two deep cleans, the cartridge is likely permanently dried out and requires replacement.

If That Didn't Work

• Manual Print Head Soak: Remove the PG-275 black cartridge. Fold a paper towel and dampen it with warm distilled water. Gently press the gold print head (the bottom nozzle plate) onto the damp towel for 30 seconds. Do not scrub or wipe; simply let the warmth soften the dried ink. Reinstall and test.
• Cartridge Replacement: Since the TS3520 uses a "tank-on-head" design, the print head cannot be cleaned internally. If the nozzles are scorched or completely crystallized, the only solution is to replace the PG-275 cartridge with a fresh one.
• Check Paper Settings: Ensure your print settings are not set to "Draft" or "Economy" mode. Go to Printing Preferences > Quick Setup and change the Print Quality from "Standard" to "High." This forces the printer to pass over the page more slowly, often masking minor nozzle gaps.
• Hard Reset: Power off the printer and unplug the power cord for 60 seconds. This clears the temporary volatile memory and resets the ink delivery system's calibration.

Heads Up

• The 2-Week Rule: To prevent this from recurring, print at least one page of mixed black and color content every 14 days. This keeps the ink in the nozzles fluid.
• Avoid Generic Ink: Third-party inks often lack the specific surfactants found in Canon PG-275 cartridges, making them significantly more prone to clogging in the TS3520 series.
• Power Down Properly: Always use the Power button to turn off the printer rather than pulling the plug. This ensures the print head parks in the "capped" position, which seals the nozzles from air and prevents drying.
• Ink Levels: Deep cleaning consumes a large amount of ink. If your ink level is below 20%, a deep clean may introduce air bubbles into the print head, which can actually make the streaking worse.