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.

[@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

[@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!

[@redheadGemini]

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

[@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!

[@toddaustin68]

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

[@showard9813]

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

[@rickm.2956]

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

[@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!

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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. 🤣

[@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.

[@lisamalec9968]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@patjohnson6571]

Great video. Thought for sure it was going to solve my problem on my Canon PIXMA MG 5620. I have text that is printed twice with a small gap between each occurrence. The problem I had was when I picked the pattern that was the most solid it still had gaps, just had the least white. Could the head be so misaligned that it can't be compensated in the adjustment?

[@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

[@BettinHuge]

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

[@ianbrowne4442]

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

[@jeffryzu2929]

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

[@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

[@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..

[@cnetvideosms]

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

[@karlaspoonamore5189]

Ttb

[@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.

[@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.

[@lindakratz6726]

Definite improvement! Thank you!

[@NightElectric]

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

[@llawrence172]

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

[@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.

[@bartonmaru1]

Excellent lesson on printer alignment. Thank you.

[@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.

[@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

[@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?

[@mistermikeanson]

Very well explained. Much better than Canon!!

[@owainy71]

Worked brilliantly for me. Really appreciative, Thank you.

[@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

[@khadijazehra3939]

Thank you, this was so helpful!

[@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

[@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.

[@krystel800]

Thankyou! This actually works!🙏🙌

[@krisypatpat8104]

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

[@angelajackson7088]

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

[@seriji]

Very helpful, THANKS!

[@loukhoum124]

Thanks for posting this !! It helped a lot

[@thomastibbals5810]

Thank you! This really helped out a lot.

[@AZKL313]

I need help! When I click custom settings, the only box I see is "prevent paper abrasion"

[@ActuallyMiracle]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@TheKerripope]

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

[@elodielaurent8837]

Thank you so much for your precious help!

[@BlackdogDeaf]

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

[@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.

[@natelachae]

Kevin,Thanks for a clear, understandable video. However, I bought two MG3600s and have not been able to get a good head alignment. I've followed your instructions and also done: cleaning, manual and automatic alignment, bottom plate cleaning, roller cleaning, and downloaded the latest update. Printouts still ends up in a repeating vertical zigzag pattern like this: _____-------_____-------_____-------.I've noticed that the paper input-guide seems to be almost "free floating" and moves horizontally when very little force is applied. But, that should only apply to horizontal misalignment. I've tried selecting procedures for the MG3600 printer and the MG3600XPS without success.PLEASE HELP.(haven't opened the second box yet)

[@BCHTechnologies]

Hi Nate, if manual alignment fails, the printer is pretty much not good anymore. How old is the printer?

[@natelachae]

@@BCHTechnologies New. I just bought it at Target. The price was marked down however...

[@BCHTechnologies]

@@natelachae It's better to return it. I don't know why it is always this model: we had some that the carriage won't move at all. We had to return them back to Amazon.

[@vilashininairapraman-7031]

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

[@tsaonekoswane817]

How do you access all the printhead column values of all the pages??

[@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

[@comptonjapan]

So, what if you don't have color ink and only get the black column printed out for the alignment? Do you have to have the colored ink to do this?

[@iranadirahbintizulkapria1865]

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

[@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.

[@chrishamill6001]

This was great! My printing is much improved. But there is one problem that I can't seem to adjust away. On spreadsheets that have borders around the cells, the horizontal lines split and then merge again above and below every cell. The lettering will spread into overlapping letters in the same vertical areas that the lines split. This appears to be a vertical adjustment problem. I tried changing the values for the second batch of settings to an extreme and there's no change. I can't find any way to get rid of this last issue. Any suggestions?

[@chrishamill6001]

I need to add that the page was in landscape mode, so the problem of separating lines are the vertical lines, not horizontal lines.

[@Mentous680]

@@chrishamill6001 I have the same problem, did you find a fix?

[@judithalban4989]

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

[@fladoodel]

Wait what is it asking about for the manual print alignment? Which box is most solid?

[@williamcheevers3011]

I am having trouble with my canon printer MX922 where it smudges vertical lines and several lines of horizontal printing both when I use the glass platen or when I feed the original into the printer. The copy is perfectly clear when I print from my computer screen. What gives?

[@PrettyLilPrincess95]

Thank you ! This worked perfectly 👍

[@karlselschotter2415]

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

[@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?

[@Craftyjack]

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

[@cindyburchell1083]

Was so hopeful this would work but it didn’t. Started with a paper jam like others below have described. I didn’t have 5 alignments as video suggested , just 3. Not sure if this is reason?

[@MsChelseablair]

I have always just used wireless printing via the canon PRINT app, and I can’t find the USB-AB cable. Is there a way to access the printer properties on my chromebook wirelessly? I spent the last 6hrs trying to figure it out, but I couldn’t :/

[@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.

[@FuriharaKashyna]

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

[@frethantic1867]

While following the steps.. after the printout. I accidentally click the No button instead of YES. Now there is always gaps while im printing its like skipping lines but not missing. Please heelp

[@candiceaverill5380]

Can you use this if you don’t have a computer, only a canon mx 532 and an iPhone?

[@Chrmngblly]

Kevin: I have vertical zigzag pattern on a new head and new cartridges on a Pixma mx922. I cannot align it. The alignment values I cannot read are columns G and H. What can I do? What columns contribute to vertical alignment? How can I overcome this?

[@KynnessNuve]

i do all the procedure suggestion on my Canon PIXMA MX922 but for my PGBK line has zigzag print out.. no idea how to fix this problem..

[@jeni_bean]

Hi does this method work for any canon printer?

[@hoeyinwong5087]

thank yooouuuu ive been trying to fix this for AGES

[@ghanimerciles1029]

Dear Kevin i have a problem but little differentt from the above, the MG5660 print like you are printing the same page 2 times with shadow, they told me that i need to change the head printer is that

[@alexadnan1032]

Excellent, thank you very much for sharing

[@neillibres9022]

Thank you, its a big help👍

[@clairenapugot3645]

Thankyou so much this really helps

[@erickacameroncarr]

Thanks alot for the help with this issue.

[@SugarBabie1216]

omg you such a smart one : ) i follow your step and you save my printer xxxxxxxxx

[@amiraldehleb7221]

Appreciate your advice but it didn't solve the issue on Pixma MG3640 Do you recommend any thing else 🤔

[@ronbertlomarda1398]

Thank you very much. It helped a lot. My printer is doing well now.

[@BCHTechnologies]

You are welcome. Glad it worked.

[@charsasso521]

Yes thank you for this info!!

[@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.

[@GRGOLDMAN]

Thank you so much for this!

[@BCHTechnologies]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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!

[@amandaleedham4850]

Thank you so much! You saved me.

[@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.

[@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.

[@morekipatrick7724]

thanks a lot it worked. really appreciate your help.

[@Taim6359]

What if the print which we got from it have the numbers and colors without any gap? And seems like they are printed over other printed text.