the black text from my g7020 looks faded or has streaks even after cleaning

Diagnosis

The Canon PIXMA G7020 utilizes a dual-ink system: a pigment-based black ink (PGBK) for crisp text and dye-based colors for photos. The PGBK ink contains larger particles that are prone to settling and drying out faster than the color inks. When you see faded text or horizontal white streaks (banding) despite running a standard cleaning, it indicates that the print head nozzles are partially obstructed by dried pigment residue or that air bubbles have entered the ink feed lines. This issue is common if the printer sits idle for more than 7-10 days or if the printer was moved without locking the ink valves. To confirm this is a nozzle issue rather than a software setting, print a "Nozzle Check" pattern from the maintenance menu. If the black grid shows gaps, streaks, or is entirely missing while the colors look perfect, the problem is localized to the PGBK print head. If the lines are present but faint, the ink flow is restricted, likely due to air pockets in the tubes leading from the MegaTank reservoirs to the print head.

How to Fix It

When standard cleaning fails, you must escalate to a Deep Cleaning or an Ink Flush. Follow these precise steps:

1. On the printer's home screen, press the Setup button (pliers/screwdriver icon).
2. Navigate to Device settings > Maintenance.
3. Select Deep Cleaning. When prompted, select All colors (even if only black is fading, this ensures the print head alignment remains synchronized).
4. Allow the process to complete without interrupting the printer. This takes significantly longer than a standard clean and uses a larger volume of ink to force debris out of the nozzles.
5. Once complete, print a Nozzle Check pattern. If the black block is still streaky, repeat the Deep Cleaning one more time.
6. If the issue persists after two deep cleanings, perform an Ink Flush. Go to Maintenance > Ink Flush. Note: This is a high-volume operation that consumes a significant amount of ink and fills the maintenance cartridge (waste ink absorber) faster. Only perform this if the ink tubes are visibly empty of ink.

If That Didn't Work

• Manual Print Head Cleaning: If the ink is completely dried, you may need to physically clean the print head. Open the scanning unit, remove the black print head (marked 'B'), and gently blot the bottom nozzle plate onto a damp, lint-free paper towel soaked in distilled water. Do not scrub; simply press it down to "pull" the clog out.
• Verify Ink Valve Position: Ensure the ink valves are fully open. If you recently transported the printer, the valves may have been closed to prevent leaks. If the valves are closed, the print head will starve for ink regardless of how many cleaning cycles you run.
• Check Paper Settings: Ensure you are not using "Plain Paper" settings on high-gloss photo paper. This can cause the pigment black ink to bead up or streak because it cannot soak into the glossy coating. Change the media type in the print driver to "Photo Paper Plus Glossy II" to force the printer to use the dye-based black instead of the pigment black.
• Replace the Print Head: If the PGBK nozzles are permanently scorched or clogged, the print head (Part No: BH-20) must be replaced. This is a user-replaceable part on the G7020 and does not require a technician.

Heads Up

• Print Weekly: To prevent pigment settling, print at least one page of black text every 7 days. This keeps the ink moving and prevents the nozzles from drying.
• Ink Levels: Never let the ink tanks fall below the minimum line. If air enters the internal tubing during a "dry" run, it can take multiple Ink Flushes to clear, which wastes a massive amount of ink.
• Use Genuine Ink: Third-party pigment inks often have different particle sizes that can clog the G7020's precision nozzles, leading to permanent head failure.
• Avoid Over-Cleaning: Do not run more than three Deep Cleanings in a 24-hour period. This can cause the print head to overheat or prematurely fill the waste ink pads, triggering a "5B00" error code.