Solved: Canon prints Wavy Zigzag Text and Double Line Images

We may find a Canon prints horizontal text in a sort of wavy zig-zag formation. Furthermore, sometimes it also prints ghost or double images and makes the text unreadable.
Canon's website will indicate it is a maintenance issue and we should use the printer's built-in function to print an alignment page and scan it. However, this solution will not work if the alignment page is in a zig-zag fashion too. In this video, we showed an alternative method to fix this problem.
#canontroubleshoot
#canonprinter

[@nuttyjj]

OMG!!! This freaking works!!! for years, i have been struggling, prinitng fast and draft mode only because of the aligment issue. I had to think this through a bit and run it 3 times but it is spot on. In the past, I selected the best looking lines, now I understood that I have to select the darker, better filled areas. THANK YOU!!!!

[@JM-uo7ec]

You have no idea how long I've been trying to figure out why my computer was double lettered. Went through the whole manual and did every test. Then I found your post. Problem fixed. Thank you.

[@peterhenson823]

Wow. Had this problem. Found smudge from finger on the plastic film, described here. Cleaned it off with large Q-tip, dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Works like a charm now. Thank you!

[@rickm.2956]

I spent hours trying to fix my MG3520 and you had the solution. I really appreciate you!

[@sreekar2393]

"Ofcourse it doesn't work. Otherwise we wouldn't be making these videos." The amount of salt. 😂

[@strivenyahuni2816]

This made me laugh so hard

[@yanmingqiao106]

man, I was about to quit the video lol

[@akshaykhanna6933]

🤣

[@saeed_nasiri]

I imeediately clicked th like button , doesn't matter if this solves my problem or not. 🤣

[@shananiekamp3218]

Kevin, thank you for being clear in your explanation. For some reason I don't get 5 alignment pages. I only get 2 and this did help quite a bit, but there are still a few lines that are unaligned. But still much much better. thank you!

[@CoGuardMom]

Unfortunately this did not help my wavy lines. They are still pretty bad. Any other suggestions? I'm working with a Canon MG2100.

[@M.D.H18]

Oh my God, 5 years since this clip, where have you been? The method really helped me. Thank you for your kindness in conveying the information

[@octaviuswhelkstall4661]

Thanks for this video. I had given up on my Canon printer, and was about to buy another. It's a pity Canon are not as helpful as you.

[@redheadGemini]

Thanks for sharing this info! Jammed paper set my printer into a zig-zag print pattern. The manual alignment process did the trick!

[@jehnabush16]

Thanks for posting this, it helped resolve my first issue- at first I was selecting No (because it was NOT printing normal) instead of yes, so I couldn't even get in to edit the values. Now the problem is, after going through all of that, the columns are corrected but the text is all doubled/at opposing angles/blurred when I print documents. This is a new print head for my ix6820 and I'm at my wits end

[@JustSomeGinger]

Did you ever find a solution to that?

[@jehnabush16]

@JustSomeGinger no I wasted 90 bucks on a new print head and had to return it and buy a new printer. Someone bought the old and tried to fix it and no luck!

[@faezahfaezah7658]

Awesome. Couldn't believe my eyes. This works. I am a noob in such printer technical matters, but managed to resolve my problem by following the steps from this video. Thank you.

[@msnokiafan]

I have seen this video today here in the United Kingdom (Tuesday 10 May 2022), when he said "Of course it won't work. Otherwise we wouldn't be making these videos." I couldn't stop laughing. Before I came here, I had tried EVERYTHING on Canon's website and THIS is the one person who actually told the truth. The pointless tutorials on Canon's website simply DO NOT WORK. Thank you for this video. I'm going to have another try using this video. You clearly know more about fixing a Canon Printer that Canon do - Many Thanks.

[@toddaustin68]

Did this procedure and it saved my MG 7150. I was pretty skeptical, but it prints straight lines again! Thanks!

[@PimpinPimpin]

Was hoping these steps might work but alas....no dice. **sighs** Been at it for the last 3 hours with my MX490. Got it used off eBay. I've also wasted a ton of ink doing all the other steps (cleaning, deep cleaning, etc) on the printer itself and even cleaned the clear band inside that I found advice on on another KZbin vid. Nothing worked. The middle of my page is blurry but the beginning and the end is crystal clear. Super bizarre. Your video seemed like the answer and it was very clear and helpful despite my unfortunate results.

[@TheKerripope]

Finally, I found a good tutorial. Thanks so much!

[@lemus_creationss]

Thank you!!! Super helpful fixed my problem so glad I saw this video I was about to buy another printer! You’re a life saver!!

[@UcfLJ25]

Thank you! Helped with my Canon MX492 - I had to do manual alignment about 10 times by removing the manual and then re-applyinh it again; but finally got it. I used it on my MacBook Pro and had to use it with the USB cord that came with it and pull up Canon IJ Printer Utility.

[@TheRealVivia]

Please help I have this same issue but I can’t find the maintenance tab on my computer when I clocked Properties- it’s just not there

[@CattttMD]

Your video is good, but I am throwing my printer in the trash tomorrow. A month ago, it ate a bunch of paper. (Never feed paper into the printer when it is in the process of printing - it will suck it up all at once like a hungry whale). I got it out, but I think I messed it up then. So now the graph looks like a drunken building falling down. I went through your process, which was actually fun because it was so clear. My computer ate a piece of paper on step two and said it needed to be fixed. I will put pdfs on my phone and have them printed at the UPS store before I EVER touch another Canon.

[@showard9813]

Many thanks for such a straightforward, paced video! About to do it, fingers crossed.

[@bobcannell7603]

thanks worked fine, this is of course the way we used to align printers before they got too clever for their own good. thanks for reminding me how to do it.

[@lisamalec9968]

Thank you! I was skeptical, but I did this for my MG6820 and now it is printing great and straight again!

[@cnetvideosms]

Thanks Kevin for the detailed instructions. I learned something new about my printer.

[@karlaspoonamore5189]

Ttb

[@ManicMechanic007]

Tried this procedure today and it worked perfectly for my Canon PIXMA MX922. Thanks so much.

[@KynnessNuve]

i tried the procedure in my Canon PIXMA MX922 but still the PGBK is zigzag output.. i really don't know how to fix my printer problem..

[@ianbrowne4442]

Thanks. That was really helpful - much more helpful than the Canon website!

[@P4nDA_pls]

Helped a lot. Didn't solve my problem though - it prints at a different spot on the return of the head, I think. Double image when printing B&W with "save ink", but not when "not saving ink". Double image when printing anything colour. Taking it to technician. Will report what happens. Edit: The rail was bent - the rail that the head travels on. Gave it to a repair shop, they got the part delivered in more than a week, then they fixed it. Fixing took very little time once they got the part, and they charged like $5 plus their labour charge.

[@dympnac3871]

Thank you! this worked perfectly! I was just about to give up and order a new printer with frustration, but then this fixed it! thanks

[@b7fLuid]

I'm not sure if this is going to solve the problem, but thank you for the short, concise video and hopefully when I'm done the process, my printer will work. I hate printers!

[@danielgovender5263]

Same ..I. gonna start a rage room for IT people and it's gonna be filled with printers

[@SonicBlueBigGirl]

Finger print on my ribbon after clearing a paper jam. Used the Q-tip and alcohol trick and it no longer zig zags! Thank you!

[@toyboytb]

This did not work for me, but this guide is great and optimized my pictures to look a little better. Fix: Clean the transparent encoder strip. If the strip is dirty and fully transparent, scratched, or otherwise damaged the print head sensor motor won't move the print head the correct amount causing the wavy lines or double image, or blurs lines.

[@NightElectric]

OMG THANK YOU my printer was severely misaligned and this fixed it

[@jeffryzu2929]

thanks, you save my life ! this is very helpful since the Canon service centre closed due to corona outbreak.

[@krisypatpat8104]

It has still zigzag lines but improved because of your vid. Thanks!

[@heykinan]

i almost give up and thinking to buy a new printer :D God bless you Sir..

[@mrpalpathesithlord8485]

Thank you so much for this video it worked so well as someone who doesn't understand technology. This was easy to understand and follow

[@FuriharaKashyna]

Glad KZbin also recommend this video after I'm seeing video about you fix it by scaning the print alignment page thanks you! 😂

[@Jonpriley]

Me again! I'd forgotten I had this problem with my last printer! Now I have a CanonMX470, and I'm getting the exact problem shown at 0:25 in your video. Nothing is blurred, but there is that sideways shift back and forth every few lines. Print head alignment does not work, and neither does your method (which is simply the manual version). As before, Photo printing fixes it; it only happens on draft and standard. I know this is not your problem, I just thought others here might like a heads up. Just to add diagnostic detail: on the alignment printout, the horizontal bars in the F column (the only one with horizontal bars) are all out of line: alternately shifted left and right, so the vertical edges of the blocks zigzag - not straight as in your printout (3:53). Nothing in the process allows for fixing this, because it's all about choosing between solid blocks and separate bars.

[@hoeyinwong5087]

thank yooouuuu ive been trying to fix this for AGES

[@jennifergrassel1097]

Thank you for getting me pointed in the right direction. Because I am using a Mac with an AirPrint driver, the Canon system would only take me to the Remote Utility web page and I couldn’t use your instructions. However, after some research, I needed to download a CUPS driver to allow me to use the Canon IJ Printer Utility and once that was downloaded, all your instructions worked like a dream! Thank you! MG3520

[@barbaraheusser8291]

I love your low key comments about the the alignment didn't work, and don't panic, it's not rocket science. It didn't fix my problem, but maybe because I don't have my color cartridge up to date. And I also have a different model. Anyway, thanks for your help. Cheers!

[@theshapeofthingstocome465]

Thank you for your time and trouble making this. I am still getting wavy lines but with more adjusting I will have a good chance and fixing it thanks to this very helpful video, thank you very much.

[@taylormitchell2226]

I'm having the same problem. Where you able to fix this problem by multiple tries?

[@jdmxxx38]

Thanks for making this video. It helped get me 'unstuck' from my alignment problem. Iwas at the point of purchasing another printer and it wouldn't be a Canon.

[@BCHTechnologies]

Thank you for subscribing to my channel. Glad it helped!

[@Sameh-Wahid]

Thank you for sharing that trick. If you can upload a high quality picture of the alignment paper it will be more easier.

[@mistermikeanson]

Very well explained. Much better than Canon!!

[@bartonmaru1]

Excellent lesson on printer alignment. Thank you.

[@BettinHuge]

Video is Easy to understand and follow with great results. Thank you! 👍

[@originaljokester7679]

Thank for the video. I don’t have access to a pc to do the alignment, I print from my phone but hopefully I can find another metcid

[@siamesepleaseme7468]

Mine has printed from iPhone for 7 years until waviness started in last month. I came to KZbin to fix B200 error code which supposedly was going to need technician. Thank goodness for KZbin!!! I am trying to get late taxes done and since I got lucky on the error I thought I’d check for the waviness problem. If you found answers, if you could give me a hint of how to fix it. Thanks!!!

[@wwc3180]

I can't believe Canon official instruction is wrong for my 5520. Thanks to this video I am able to find the manual alignment setting which is hidden under the "Custom Settings". The normal alignment setting only allow printing of current printhead settings and no alignment can be done until you turn it on under the custom settings.

[@thomasbrodek3923]

Guys and gals - my 922 printer is slightly double printing and impossible to read. I've cleaned the heads and aligned to no avail. Any thought?

[@antcit9491]

This is great Kevin. Octavius said it... pity Canon can't help as you did. Well done and thank you.

[@MichaelSharpTechniSmart]

Canon are in the business of selling printers, not fixing them.

[@antcit9491]

@@MichaelSharpTechniSmart both Canon AND HP are pathetic at after sales service. Return business will decline in the future & then they will beg for business. Too arrogant.

[@Craftyjack]

I spent hours doing all the alignment and maintenance things which did not work. I tried this and not works perfect. Thanks

[@vilashininairapraman-7031]

Thank you so much! It helped to fix my problem. You're a life saver! ;)

[@erickacameroncarr]

Thanks alot for the help with this issue.

[@fazepepper1481]

the problem could also be a greasy encoder film, go to the canon website and see how to clean it. this worked for me after manually aligning the heads multiple times and still having this issue

[@TheRealVivia]

There is no maintenance option when I go to printer properties please help omg I’m tired of this I’m a college student and it’s ruining my reports.

[@aniruddhshrivastava5209]

Very thanx and grateful to you, may thy be blessed by almighty.

[@llawrence172]

This worked perfectly on canon MX535, thank you SO much!

[@EcnalKcin]

Googled this because I have having an issue where the alignment kept slipping further and further on my refillable ink cartridge...that I bought the kit for from BCH. I need to replace it anyways as the ink head seems to be failing as well as having alignment issue. It is slowly leaking ink constantly from what I can tell, while part of the head is slightly clogged. Hoping aligning the ink head fixes most of the issues, until I put another one together. I have the beta kit for the refillable cartridge, and I got about 2500 pages out of it, so I feel I got my monies worth, and I know the new kit has a valve on the lid rather than a hole so it should fix the issue where it leaks out the air hole on the top.

[@judithalban4989]

Kevin you saved my printer!!! Thank you!!!

[@clairenapugot3645]

Thankyou so much this really helps

[@lindakratz6726]

Definite improvement! Thank you!

[@ayyubkhan195]

Thankyou so much sir may problem is solved your video.

[@loukhoum124]

Thanks for posting this !! It helped a lot

[@owainy71]

Worked brilliantly for me. Really appreciative, Thank you.

[@tonypowell1167]

Thanks Kevin👍🙂

[@danyamartinez5779]

how can I do this wth a Mac book?

[@luzroux1190]

I have the same question

[@charsasso521]

Yes thank you for this info!!

[@halloweenhuns3068]

You just saved me so much money. Thank you.

[@yunusk6217]

If you're getting Blurry prints, It may be that your ink cartridge is to blame (Especially if you're using unofficial ones). If you have a spare one, it might be worth trying that cartridge.

[@cathypowell7852]

thanks so much. After wasting a gazillion pages doing the alignment - I replaced my blk cartridge and now its printing great. Thanks for you comment.

[@angelajackson7088]

I do not get the manual adjustment page. What am I missing?

[@daniellim3603]

It happened when I refilled ink several time (maybe 5 times). After changing to a new cartridge ii is back to quality line. That's my experience on Canon E510.

[@iranadirahbintizulkapria1865]

This solved my canon E510 problem immediately!! Thank you so much!!

[@morekipatrick7724]

thanks a lot it worked. really appreciate your help.

[@bretmosley]

This is helpful thank you. However, my issue was that I needed to clean the encoder film strip, as it turned out.

[@ActuallyMiracle]

Thank you so much!!!!!! You made my day!! I was about giving up on my Printer...

[@nickcooke2955]

Danke. Worked spendidly for an ancient printer of a friend's.

[@Nusantarian]

SOmetimes it get so bad that none of the option in D column is solid. What should I do then?

[@JDDroneAdventure]

0

[@avihershberg4088]

Thats really help, thanks! but only after I cleaned first the decoder strip!

[@karlselschotter2415]

OMG. What a helpful video! Thanks. 10/10

[@candaceparrilla652]

Thanks for this info! I only have black ink, though. Can I print the alignment page in just black ink? I can't see the blue pattern.

[@GRGOLDMAN]

Thank you so much for this!

[@BCHTechnologies]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meraz69]

thanks man. i like your explanation

[@BCHTechnologies]

Glad you liked it!

[@ishasky7732]

My printer doesn't have that custom alingment thing i only see prevent abrasions

[@SuperWigMaker]

There is not way you can fix this, I tried every possible method, I even sent it back to them for a fix in their official dealer in my country, they sent it back to me and the problem was still there, so I called them to ask them why did they send it back without solving the problem, and they said they solved it. I told them the printer still prints exactly as shitty as before and they said I need to send it again. Of course I didn't because it took 1,5 months from the moment I sent it to them, until I got it back. This is not a problem with canon, it is like a feature, so you buy another printer right when the guarantee is over. My printer started doing this exactly one year after I got it and I had 1 year guarantee so it was just over. Refrain from buying cannon printers, they are doing this on purpose.

[@BCHTechnologies]

Sorry to hear that. We've seen some printers that are completely out of alignment and there is no way to fix it. We haven't seen it in Epson and HP. Maybe it is a flaw in Canon's design. However, most of them can be fixed with manual alignment.

[@renees7308]

I agree. I'll never purchase another Canon printer ever again!;

[@paulw7281]

Many thanks works great

[@harshalvalvi7657]

This is working in Canon PIXMA G3010... Thank you so much

[@dtimm612]

Had the exact same thing with an epson printer. Went through many pages getting the alignment perfect as it was way off. It got better but still have some zig zags. I wonder if the printer head is damaged

[@learnalways1802]

it solve my problem. Canon MG3170. Thank you for the tips!

[@khamismp]

Thank you and keep it up

[@BlackdogDeaf]

Hello, I have question I have deal with Canon MX922 that a lots white stripe horizontal lines and paper roll little eats.

[@leahsegura6614]

Thank you!

[@gayatrigarud2308]

I don't have the align print head option...It just has start, print alignment value and defaults options....Plzz help

[@dbald8]

Thank you this did help but I can't print with standard printing I have to use high. Maybe I'll try the whole process again in a few days.

[@wentfishing]

Thanks for review! It better than was but letters still double. Any recommendations?

[@mariambehbehani6400]

this is a different problem, there’s another option called roller cleaning u should try it

[@elodielaurent8837]

Thank you so much for your precious help!

[@ashJayden06]

Thank you! 🙏

[@glayzabadilla1468]

I’m having trouble of it now I’ve been trying to fix this 3 hrs I tried what you did but mine doesn’t have like an adjustment it’s just doesn’t show up

[@seriji]

Very helpful, THANKS!

[@cynthiacallueng6315]

it worked. thank you. and because of this. i will subscribe to you. keep it up. godbless!!!

[@krystel800]

Thankyou! This actually works!🙏🙌