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(This product may also be associated with these numbers)
Canon
2946B004
Product Compatibility
This Cartridge may be used with the following printers:
Canon
PIXMA MP560
PIXMA MP620
PIXMA MP620B
PIXMA MP640
PIXMA MP640R
PIXMA MP980
PIXMA MP990
PIXMA MX860
PIXMA MX870
PIXMA iP3600
PIXMA iP4600
PIXMA iP4700
Please select an issue you might be having with your cartridge
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you receive an error message stating that the “alignment failed” or that the ”alignment could not be completed”, this may indicate that the printer is not properly recognizing the cartridge.
Remove the cartridge from your printer and locate the chip. Ensure that the chip is in place; and if so, you will want to clean it from any obstruction or debris as this may be preventing the alignment from completing.
Using a lint free cloth (such as a coffee filter), gently wipe the chip to remove any obstruction or debris.
Please also gently pull the tab on the front of the cartridge to help the cartridge fit into the printer properly.
Reinstall your cartridge into the printer (making sure it clicks into place), and attempt the alignment process again.
If the error continues, it may be necessary to perform a cleaning cycle to improve the quality of the print and allow the alignment process to be completed. Every printer is different so please consult your printer’s user manual for instructions on performing a cleaning cycle on your printer.
If you are not able to perform a cleaning cycle or if the alignment fails even after performing a cleaning cycle, please ensure that the scanner glass is clean and free from fingerprints or debris (this applies to certain models only).
If these steps do not allow the printer to align the cartridge(s), you will need to return the cartridge(s) to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you encounter an error message stating that a cartridge is missing, damaged or cannot be recognized, please attempt the following procedures as possible solutions to correct the problem.
Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.
When you open the printer lid, you will see that the cartridge that is not being recognized does not have a red light in front of it. Remove that cartridge from its cradle.
Gently push out on the tab on the front of the cartridge. Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place.
If the cartridge is still not being recognized, remove the cartridge from its cradle again.
Confirm that there is a chip intact and in the correct location.
If the chip is missing, you should return the cartridge to its place of purchase.
If the chip is in place, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.
To clean the chip you may use a pencil eraser. Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris.
Or, you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter. Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris.
Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle.
You should now see a solid red light in front of that cartridge. Close the lid, and any flashing lights should be gone.
If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.
This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed.
Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes.
Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again.
If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
Confirm that the cartridge pictured matches the cartridge you have in your hand or installed in your machine.
Confirm that the printer you are using is listed in the printer compatibility table as a suitable printer for the cartridge you are trying to install.
If ONE of these TWO criteria do NOT match, you have most likely received the incorrect cartridge for your printer. Please visit our PRINTER COMPATIBILITY page in order to determine what cartridge you need for your machine.
Once you have confirmed you have the correct cartridge for your printer, the first step is to remove the pull tab from the top of the cartridge.
Next make sure you have properly removed the clip from the cartridge. The clip protects the nozzle on the cartridge and also keeps the cartridge from leaking.
Now your cartridge is ready to be installed into your printer.
Please keep in mind that there are various styles of clips and that the clip we are removing in this video may not be identical to the one on your cartridge. Clips will vary in color, size and shape depending on the cartridge model and supplier of your remanufactured inkjet.
If the cartridge is still not fitting into the machine after you have removed the clip, please make sure that you are installing your cartridge into the correct location in the printer. Please consult your printer’s user manual to learn how to correctly install your remanufactured inkjet cartridge.
If you have completed the steps outlined above and your cartridge is still not fitting into your printer, please follow the instructions listed for "My Cartridge Does Not Snap Into Place".
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have just installed a remanufactured cartridge and the ink levels display as low or empty, there may be a solution for this problem.
Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.
Once the cartridge is removed, confirm that there is a chip intact and in the correct location.
If the chip is missing, you should return the cartridge to its place of purchase.
If the chip is in place, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.
To clean the chip you may use a pencil eraser.
Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris.
Or, you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter.
Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris.
Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle.
If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.
This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed. Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes. Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again.
If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
If you encounter a low ink message after the cartridge has been installed for a period of time, simply follow the directions displayed on your computer or printer screen to clear the error.
Often this is pressing and holding down the Stop/Reset or Resume button for 10 seconds. Once the error is cleared, you should replace your cartridge as soon as possible.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have removed the pull tab and clip from the cartridge but it does not "snap" into place, there is a simple solution to fix this.
Gently pull the tab on the front of the cartridge.
Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place.
Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
If your cartridge is still not fitting into the machine, you will need to confirm that you have been given the correct cartridge for your printer.
Please visit our Printer Compatibility page to determine which cartridge you need for your machine.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you encounter an error message stating that a cartridge is missing, damaged or cannot be recognized, please attempt the following procedures as possible solutions to correct the problem.
Begin by removing the cartridge that is causing the error from its cradle.
When you open the printer lid, you will see that the cartridge that is not being recognized does not have a red light in front of it. Remove that cartridge from its cradle.
Gently push out on the tab on the front of the cartridge. Reinstall the cartridge, and you should hear it "click" into place.
If the cartridge is still not being recognized, remove the cartridge from its cradle again.
Confirm that there is a chip intact and in the correct location.
If the chip is missing, you should return the cartridge to its place of purchase.
If the chip is in place, you may need to clean it from any type of obstruction or debris as this may be the cause of the error.
To clean the chip you may use a pencil eraser. Gently brush the chip with the eraser to remove any potential obstruction or debris.
Or, you may use any type of lint free cloth such as a coffee filter. Gently wipe the chip with the cloth, again removing any type of obstruction or debris.
Once this is complete, replace the cartridge in the cradle.
You should now see a solid red light in front of that cartridge. Close the lid, and any flashing lights should be gone.
If the problem persists after returning the cartridge to its cradle, you will want to reset your printer.
This can be done by turning off your computer and your printer with the cartridges installed.
Unplug your printer and leave your machines off for 2 minutes.
Restart the printer and your computer, and attempt your print again.
If you have attempted both of these procedures and you encounter the same error, there is most likely an electrical problem with the cartridge, and you should return the cartridge to the place of purchase.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have printed a document and are unsatisfied with the print quality, first ensure that you have removed the pull tab from the top of the cartridge.
If you have already removed the pull tab and the print quality is still unsatisfactory, you may need to perform a cleaning cycle in order to improve the quality of your print.
To perform a cleaning cycle, please do the following:
Double click the Canon Solution Menu on your desktop.
Click on Change Settings or Find Solutions to Problems.
Click on Troubleshooting.
Click on Cleaning.
Click Execute.
You may also access this screen through your computer’s Control Panel.
On your computer screen, press the Start Button.
Select Printers and Faxes.
Right click on your Printer Icon.
Select Properties.
Click on Properties.
Click on Maintenance.
Click Cleaning.
Click Execute.
You willnow observe your printer performing a cleaning cycle.
When the cleaning cycle is complete, click Print Check Pattern.
If the quality of the Check Pattern is satisfactory, click exit.
If the quality is still unsatisfactory, you may choose to do a Deep Cleaning.
Please be aware that cleaning your printhead does consume ink; and therefore, should only be completed when necessary.
If the print on your test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.
If your test page is unsatisfactory after performing the cleaning cycles, you may need to replace your inkjet cartridge.
The cartridge and printer used in this video may not look identical to yours, but the same
procedures used in this video may be used for the cartridge you have chosen to troubleshoot.
If you have printed a document and are unsatisfied with the print quality, first ensure that you have removed the pull tab from the top of the cartridge.
If you have already removed the pull tab and the print quality is still unsatisfactory, you may need to perform a cleaning cycle in order to improve the quality of your print.
This video will show you an example of how to perform a cleaning cycle through your printer's LCD screen.
If your printer does not have an LCD screen, please select the troubleshooting for "Performing a Cleaning Cycle from your Computer" for further assistance.
On your printer's control panel, scroll to Settings and press OK
Next scroll to Maintenance and press OK
Scroll to Cleaning and press OK
Select yes and press OK
Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.
You will now observe your printer performing a cleaning cycle.
When the cleaning cycle is complete, your printer will print a test page.
Follow the instructions on your printer's LCD screen to finish the cleaning cycle.
If the print on your test page is satisfactory, you may return to the document you wish to print and resume printing.
If the quality on the test page is still unsatisfactory, you may choose to do a Deep Cleaning.
Please be aware that cleaning your printhead does consume ink; and therefore, it should only be completed when necessary.
If your test page is unsatisfactory after performing the cleaning cycles, you may need to replace your inkjet cartridge.
A small electrical patch containing contacts which stores information for interaction between the cartridge and the printer. Not all inkjet cartridges have a chip. Most inkjet cartridges contain a flexible ribbon (called a "flex ribbon") that contains the information for interaction with the printer.
A plastic part used to protect the contacts and nozzle plate during transportation and before use.
A cartridge that is made entirely of new components to resemble the OEM. Sometimes the cartridge only resembles the OEM on the exterior however most cases resemble the OEM both internally and externally.
A series of copper squares that makes contact and communicates with the printer.
The portion of the printer where the inkjet cartridges are installed. This device also carries the inkjet cartridges back and forth across the page creating the desired image.
Prints blue shades
Dye based inks are typically found in color cartridges; however, there are some cases where black cartridges are dye based (photo blacks are dye based). Dye based inks are not water proof or water resistant. They are available in a variety of shades which aids in the color matching to the OEM.
A cartridge that contains foam in one or more areas of the cartridge. The foam acts as a sponge holding the ink in the cartridge however adequately releasing the ink as needed when the space becomes available in the ink reservoir.
An integrated inkjet cartridge has a nozzle plate (printhead) installed on the cartridge along with an electric flexible ribbon connecting the nozzle plate to the electrical contact that interact with the printer.
Prints red shades
A non-integrated inkjet cartridge does not have a nozzle plate included on the cartridge. The nozzle plate for these types of cartridges is included in the printer. The printhead is a consumable item; in some cases, however, in others the printhead is not replaceable. In most cases the chip can be replaced on these style cartridges allowing them to respond to the printers exactly like the original.
Consists of a series of tiny holes that eject ink to form an image or text when instructed to do so by the computer through communication of the chip or flex ribbon.
Original Equipment Manufacturer; the brand new product produced by the company that produced the printer (i.e. HP, Lexmark, Dell, etc)
At times, OEM manufacturers make updates to ink cartridges and/or printer firmware that will cause printers to produce an error message that states “older generation” upon the installation of a cartridge. This firmware update requires that a customer purchase an OEM for their printer or insert a “newer generation” cartridge in order for the printer to function properly. This affects OEM as well as remanufactured cartridges. Inkjet remanufacturers are able to stay on top of these updates and begin producing the “newer generation” cartridges as soon as possible. For more information on these updates, click here for the HP 61 series or click here for the HP 950/951 series.
Lighter shades of black which allows for more color combinations and more "life-like" photographs.
Lighter shades of blue which allows for more color combinations and more "life-like" photographs [i.e. better flesh tones]
Lighter shades of red which allows for more color combinations and more "life-like" photographs [i.e. better flesh tones]
To pull ink from the foam or ink reservoir down to the nozzles preparing them for printing. This is a regular operation performed by the printer, but can also be manually performed to aid in producing an acceptable print.
A cartridge that has no foam inside and consists either of a bag/lining or a series of channels and canals. Both of these mechanisms adequately dispense the ink at the correct rate.
Pigment based inks are typically found in black cartridges; however, there are some cases where color cartridges are pigment based (some Epson, Kodak, and some wide format printer applications). Pigment based inks are water resistant and fade resistant; however, they do not come in many shades so color matching to the OEM is difficult. Pigment based inks also have a higher cost associated with them than do the dye based inks.
An inkjet spittoon is a component in inkjet printers that collects the ink that is removed from the cartridge when the inkjet is primed. This spittoon (sometimes called a reservior) can be either a plastic tray or a piece of foam that absorbs the excess ink. Some of the ink can dry (which makes the foam not absorb as well), and the ink that isn’t absorbed sits in the bottom of the printer. This is how ALL inkjet printers work, which is why it is never a good idea to move an inkjet printer as there will more than likely be ink in the bottom (especially older printers or printers that are used a lot).
A cartridge that is foam based and contains 3 different colors of ink in one cartridge. Typically these colors of ink are Cyan/Magenta/Yellow however there are photo cartridges that contain Photo Cyan/Photo Magenta/Photo Black.
