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PIXMA MX410 Support
FAQ and troubleshooting

Paper Is Smudged/Printed Surface Is Scratched

Content Id: 8200994500


Issue

Paper Is Smudged

Printed Surface Is Scratched

Cause and solution

Check 1: Did you confirm the paper and print quality settings?

Cause and solution

Check 2: Is the appropriate type of paper used? Check the following

Check to see if the paper you are printing on is suitable for your printing purpose.

-⋗ [ Media Types You Can Use ]

When performing Borderless Printing, make sure that the paper you are using is suitable for Borderless Printing. If the paper you are using is not suitable for Borderless Printing, the print quality may be reduced at the top and bottom edges of the paper.

-⋗ [ Printing Area ]

Cause and solution

Check 3: Load the paper after correcting its curl

For Plain Paper

Turn the paper over and reload it to print on the other side.

Leaving the paper loaded on the Rear Tray for a long time may cause the paper to curl. In this case, load the paper with the other side facing up. It may resolve the problem.

We recommend putting unused paper back into the package and keeping it on a level surface.

For Other Paper

If the curl on the four corners of the paper is more than 0.1 inch / 3 mm (A) in height, the paper may be smudged or may not be fed properly. In such cases, follow the procedure described below to correct the paper curl.

1. Roll up the paper in the opposite direction to the paper curl as shown below.

2. Check that the paper is now flat.

We recommend printing curl-corrected paper one sheet at a time.

Caution

Depending on the media type, the paper may be smudged or may not be fed properly even if it is not curled inward. In such cases, follow the procedure described below to curl the paper outward within 0.1 inch / 3 mm (B) in height before printing. This may improve the print result.

(C) Printing side

We recommend printing paper that has been curled outward one sheet at a time.

Cause and solution

Check 4: If you are printing on thick paper, select the Prevent paper abrasion setting

Selecting the Prevent paper abrasion setting will widen the clearance between the Print Head and the loaded paper. If you notice abrasion even with the media type set correctly to match the loaded paper, set the machine to prevent paper abrasion by using the Operation Panel or the computer.

Print speed may be reduced if you are selecting the Prevent paper abrasion setting.

* Deactivate the Prevent paper abrasion setting once printing is complete. If not, this setting remains enabled for all subsequent print jobs.

To set by using the Operation Panel

Set Prevent abrasion in Print settings under Device settings to ON.

To set by using your computer

Open the printer driver setup window, and in Custom Settings in the Maintenance sheet, select the Prevent paper abrasion check box, and then click OK.

In the Canon IJ Printer Utility, select Custom Settings in the pop-up menu, select the Prevent paper abrasion check box, and then click Apply.

Cause and solution

Check 5: If the intensity is set high, reduce the Intensity setting in the printer driver and try printing again

If you are using plain paper to print images with high intensity, the paper may absorb too much ink and become wavy, causing paper abrasion.

When printing from your computer

Reduce the Intensity setting in the printer driver and try printing again.

1.Open the printer driver setup window.

2.On the Main sheet, select Manual for Color/Intensity, and then click Set.

3.Drag the Intensity slide bar on the Color Adjustment sheet to adjust the intensity.

1.Open the Print dialog.

2.Select Color Options in the pop-up menu.

3.Drag the Intensity slide bar to set the intensity.

When copying

You can copy in the various methods such as enlarging/reducing or copying two original pages onto a single sheet of paper.

Making Copies

This section describes the procedure to copy a document of A4 size on plain paper.

For the operation, see the notes and operation procedure described in the reference page.

You need to prepare:

Originals to copy.

Paper for printing. See [ Media Types You Can Use ]

1. Prepare for copying.

(1) Make sure that the power is turned on.

(2) Press the COPY button.

The copy standby screen will appear.

(3) Load paper.

See [ Loading Paper ]

Here we make sure that A4 plain paper is loaded in the Rear Tray.

(4) Open the Paper Output Tray gently.

(5) Load an original on the Platen Glass or in the ADF.

To load the original on the Platen Glass, align it with the alignment mark WITH THE SIDE TO COPY FACING DOWN as shown below.

Then close the Document Cover gently.

Caution

For details on the types and conditions of the original which can be copied, and how to load the original in the ADF, see [ Loading Originals in the ADF ]
Characters and lines written with a light colored pen or highlight pen may not be copied properly.

2. Start copying.

(1) Use the (-) or (+) button or the Numeric buttons to specify the number of copies (D).

(2) Confirm the page size, media type, and other settings.

Here we confirm that 100% for Enlarge/Reduce (A), A4 for Page size (B), Plain paper for Media type (E), and Std (Standard) for Image quality (C) are specified.

Caution

To change or confirm the page size, media type, or other settings, press the Settings button repeatedly until the desired setting item appears.

See [ Changing the Settings ]

To make copies in various layout, press the Menu button to display the Special copy menu, and use the (-) or (+) button to select the functions.

See [ Using Useful Copy Functions ]

(3) Press the Color button for color copying, or the Black button for black & white copying.

The machine starts copying.

Remove the original on the Platen Glass or the Document Output Slot after copying is completed.

Caution

Do not open the Document Cover or move the loaded original until scanning is completed. If you open the Document Cover while printing is in progress, be sure to close it gently.

Caution

If you start copying with the original loaded on the Platen Glass, you can continue copying with another original by loading it on the Platen Glass while printing is still in progress (Reserve copy).
Press the Stop button to cancel copying.
The machine can receive faxes even in the copy standby screen.

Changing the Settings

You can use the Settings button to change the print settings such as page size, media type, or image quality to print.

Press the Settings button to display the setting items in the following order.

To change the setting, display the desired item and use the (-) or (+) button to select the option, and then press the OK button.

The LCD returns to the copy standby screen when the setting is complete.

- Enlarge/Reduce

Specify the enlargement/reduction manner. You can specify the copy scale by selecting the optional number or the page size: 86% A4 -⋗ B5, 115% B5 -⋗ A4, etc. If you do not want to enlarge/reduce the page size, select 100%.

- Copy intensity

Specify the intensity when you want to make the darkened/lightened copy. You can also set the intensity to automatically adjust according to the original. When Auto adjust (A) is selected, the ADF is not available.

- Page size

Select the page size of the paper to print: A4, Letter, etc.

- Media type

Select the media type of the paper to print: Plain paper, Plus Glossy II, etc.

Caution

If you do not select the media type correctly, the machine may not print with the proper image quality.

- Image quality

Specify the image quality according to the requirements of the original to copy: High, Standard, and Fast. The available image quality options vary depending on the paper selected for Media type.

Caution

If 2-on-1 copy or 4-on-1 copy is selected, select A4 or Letter for Page size.
If Borderless copy is selected, select Letter, A4, 4"x6" (10x15cm), or 5"x7" (13x18cm) for Page size and any types of paper except Plain paper for Media type. You cannot make a borderless copy of the document loaded in the ADF. Load the original on the Platen Glass.
If Borderless copy is selected, slight cropping may occur at the edges since the copied image is enlarged to fill the whole page.
The settings of the page size, media type, print quality, automatic intensity adjustment, etc. are retained, and these settings will appear next time when the copy mode is selected even if the power is turned off and on. The settings of the page size and media type are retained and shared among the copy mode, fax mode, and template print.
Combination of some setting items cannot be specified depending on the function.
If you select Fast with the media type set to Plain paper and the quality is not as good as expected, select Standard or High and then try copying again.

Using Useful Copy Functions

You can make various kinds of copies, such as making borderless copies or copying two pages onto a single sheet by selecting Special copy in Copy mode.

How to Select a Copy Menu

This section describes the procedure to select a Special copy menu.

1. Make sure that the machine is turned on.

2. Press the COPY button.

3. Load paper.

4. Load the original document on the Platen Glass or in the ADF.

5. Press the Menu button to display Special copy on the LCD.

6. Use the button to select a copy menu.

For details, see [ Copy Menu Items ]

Caution

To cancel Special copy settings, press the Stop button. If the number of copies, the intensity, or the magnification has been set already, press the Stop button twice.

Copy Menu Items

Choose a copy menu according to your purpose.

Frame erase

When copying thick originals such as books, you can make a copy without black margins around the image and gutter shadows.

-⋗ [ Copying Thick Originals Such as Books (Frame erase) ]

Borderless copy

You can copy images so that they fill the entire page without borders.

-⋗ [ Copying without Borders (Borderless copy) ]

2-on-1 copy

You can copy two original pages onto a single sheet of paper by reducing each image.

-⋗ [ Copying Two Pages to Fit onto a Single Page (2-on-1 copy) ]

4-on-1 copy

You can copy four original pages onto a single sheet of paper by reducing each image. Four different layouts are available.

-⋗ [ Copying Four Pages to Fit onto a Single Page (4-on-1 copy) ]

Collated copy

You can obtain sorted printouts when making multiple copies of a multi-paged original.

-⋗ [ Making Multiple Copies of an Entire Document (Collated copy) ]

- Copying Thick Originals Such as Books (Frame erase)

When copying thick originals such as books, you can make a copy without black margins around the image and gutter shadows. Using this function, you can reduce unnecessary ink consumption.

Caution

When you use this function, load the original on the Platen Glass.

1. Display the Special copy screen.

-⋗ [ How to Select a Copy Menu ]

2. Use the button to select Frame erase, then press the OK button.

3. Use the (-) (+) button or the Numeric buttons to specify the number of copies.

Change the print settings as necessary.

4. Press the Color button for color copying, or the Black button for black & white copying.

The machine starts copying.

Caution

Close the Document Cover.
There may be a narrow black margin that appears around the image. This function removes the dark margins only. If a scanned book is too thin or when the machine is used near a window or in a bright environment, a faint black frame may remain. Also, if the color of an original is dark, the machine cannot distinguish the document color from the shadow and this may cause slight cropping or a shadow on the crease.

- Copying without Borders (Borderless copy)

You can copy images so that they fill the entire page without borders.

Caution

When you use this function, load the original on the Platen Glass.

1. Display the Special copy screen.

-⋗ [ How to Select a Copy Menu ]

2. Use the button to select Borderless copy, then press the OK button.

If a page size setting or a media type setting that cannot be used in borderless copying is selected, the LCD displays the following message.

(1) Use the button to select the page size, then press the OK button.

(2) Use the button to select the media type, then press the OK button.

3. Use the (-) (+) button or the Numeric buttons to specify the number of copies.

Change the print settings as necessary.

4. Press the Color button for color copying, or the Black button for black & white copying.

The machine starts borderless copying.

Caution

Slight cropping may occur at the edges since the copied image is enlarged to fill the whole page. You can change the width to be cropped from the borders of the original image as needed. However, the cropped area will be larger if the extension amount is large.
For details on the paper size and the media type available for borderless copying, see [ Printing Area ]

- Copying Two Pages to Fit onto a Single Page (2-on-1 copy)

You can copy two original pages (A) (B) onto a single sheet of paper (C) by reducing each image.

1. Display the Special copy screen.

-⋗ [ How to Select a Copy Menu ]

2. Use the button to select 2-on-1 copy, then press the OK button.

If a page size setting or a media type setting that cannot be used in 2-on-1 copying is selected, the LCD displays the following message.

(1) Use the button to select the page size, then press the OK button.

(2) Use the button to select the media type, then press the OK button.

3. Use the (-) (+) button or the Numeric buttons to specify the number of copies.

Change the print settings as necessary.

4. Press the Color button for color copying, or the Black button for black & white copying.

When the document has been loaded on the Platen Glass:

When the machine finishes scanning the first document, the message below is displayed.

If you have the next sheet of document to scan, load it on the Platen Glass and press the OK button. The machine starts copying.

If you do not need more scanning, press the button to start copying. The machine starts copying.

Caution

You can add the copying job while printing.

When the document has been loaded in the ADF:

The machine starts scanning the next sheet of document automatically after one sheet of document finishes being scanned.

Caution

If Memory is full appears on the LCD when scanning, set the image quality to Standard or reduce the number of sheets of documents, then try copying again. If the problem is not resolved, set the image quality to Fast and try copying again.

- Copying Four Pages to Fit onto a Single Page (4-on-1 copy)

(A) Originals

(B) Layout 1

(C) Layout 2

(D) Layout 3

(E) Layout 4

1. Display the Special copy screen.

-⋗ [ How to Select a Copy Menu ]

2. Use the button to select 4-on-1 copy, then press the OK button.

3. Use the button to specify the layout pattern, then press the OK button.

You can select Layout 1, Layout 2, Layout 3, or Layout 4.

If a page size setting or a media type setting that cannot be used in 4-on-1 copying is selected, the LCD displays the following message.

(1) Use the button to select the page size, then press the OK button.

(2) Use the button to select the media type, then press the OK button.

4. Use the (-) (+) button or the Numeric buttons to specify the number of copies.

Change the print settings as necessary.

5. Press the Color button for color copying, or the Black button for black & white copying.

When the document has been loaded on the Platen Glass:

When the machine finishes scanning each sheet from the first to the third document, the message below is displayed.

If you have the next sheet of document to scan, load it on the Platen Glass and press the OK button. The machine starts copying.

If you do not need more scanning, press the button to start copying. The machine starts copying.

Caution

You can add the copying job while printing.

When the document has been loaded in the ADF:

The machine starts scanning the next sheet of document automatically after one sheet of document finishes being scanned.

Caution

If Memory is full appears on the LCD when scanning, set the image quality to Standard or reduce the number of sheets of documents, then try copying again. If the problem is not resolved, set the image quality to Fast and try copying again.

- Making Multiple Copies of an Entire Document (Collated copy)

You can obtain sorted printouts when making multiple copies of a multi-paged original.

- Collated copy selected.

(A) Originals

(B) Copy 1

(C) Copy 2

(D) Copy 3

- Collated copy not selected.

(A) Originals

(B) Copy 1

(C) Copy 2

(D) Copy 3

Caution

When you use this function, load the original in the ADF.

1. Display the Special copy screen.

-⋗ [ How to Select a Copy Menu ]

2. Use the button to select Collated copy, then press the OK button.

3. Use the (-) (+) button or the Numeric buttons to specify the number of copies.

Change the print settings as necessary.

4. Press the Color button for color copying, or the Black button for black & white copying.

Caution

The number of pages the machine can read varies with the document. If Memory is full appears on the LCD when scanning, reduce the number of document pages to scan and try copying again.
Making Copies

Cause and solution

Check 6: Is printing performed beyond the recommended printing area?

If you are printing beyond the recommended printing area of your printing paper, the lower edge of the paper may become stained with ink.

Resize your original document in your application software.

To ensure the best print quality, the machine allows a margin along each edge of media. The actual printable area will be the area inside these margins.

Recommended printing area : Canon recommends that you print within this area.

Printable area : The area where it is possible to print.

However, printing in this area can affect the print quality or the paper feed precision.

Caution

Borderless Printing

- By selecting Borderless Printing option, you can make prints with no margins.

- When performing Borderless Printing, slight cropping may occur at the edges since the printed image is enlarged to fill the whole page.

- Duplex printing is not available when performing Borderless Printing.

- For Borderless Printing, use the following paper:

Glossy Photo Paper "Everyday Use" GP-501
Photo Paper Glossy GP-502
Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss SG-201
Photo Paper Pro Platinum PT-101
Photo Paper Plus Glossy II PP-201
Matte Photo Paper MP-101

Performing Borderless Printing on any other type of paper may substantially reduce printing quality and/or result in printouts with altered color hues.

Borderless Printing on plain paper may result in printouts with reduced quality. Use them only for test printing. You can perform Borderless Printing on plain paper only when printing from your computer.

- Borderless Printing is not available for A5, B5, Legal-sized paper, or envelopes.

- Depending on the type of paper, Borderless Printing may reduce the print quality at the top and bottom edges of the paper or cause these parts to become smudged.

In Borderless Copying, you can specify the amount of extension by Extended copy amt. in Print settings.

Letter, Legal

SizePrintable Area (width x height)
Letter8.00 x 10.69 inches / 203.2 x 271.4 mm
Legal8.00 x 13.69 inches / 203.2 x 347.6 mm

Recommended printing area

A. 1.23 inches / 31.2 mm

B. 1.28 inches / 32.5 mm

Printable area

C. 0.12 inches / 3.0 mm

D. 0.20 inches / 5.0 mm

E. 0.25 inches / 6.4 mm

F. 0.25 inches / 6.3 mm

Envelopes

SizeRecommended Printing Area (width x height)
European DL*4.06 x 7.07 inches / 103.2 x 179.5 mm
US Comm. Env. #10*3.86 x 7.91 inches / 98.0 x 200.8 mm

* This page size can be used only when printing from your computer.

Recommended printing area

A. 0.32 inches / 8.0 mm

B. 1.28 inches / 32.5 mm

C. 0.13 inches / 3.4 mm

D. 0.13 inches / 3.4 mm

Other Sizes than Letter, Legal, Envelopes

SizePrintable Area (width x height)
A55.56 x 7.95 inches / 141.2 x 202.0 mm
A48.00 x 11.38 inches / 203.2 x 289.0 mm
B56.90 x 9.80 inches / 175.2 x 249.0 mm
4" x 6" / 10 x 15 cm3.73 x 5.69 inches / 94.8 x 144.4 mm
4" x 8" / 10 x 20 cm*3.73 x 7.69 inches / 94.8 x 195.2 mm
5" x 7" / 13 x 18 cm4.73 x 6.69 inches / 120.2 x 169.8 mm
8" x 10" / 20 x 25 cm7.73 x 9.69 inches / 196.4 x 246.0 mm
Wide3.73 x 6.80 inches / 94.8 x 172.6 mm

* This page size can be used only when printing from your computer.

Recommended printing area

A. 1.23 inches / 31.2 mm

B. 1.28 inches / 32.5 mm

Printable area

C. 0.12 inches / 3.0 mm

D. 0.20 inches / 5.0 mm

E. 0.13 inches / 3.4 mm

F. 0.13 inches / 3.4 mm

Printing Area

Cause and solution

Check 7: Is the Platen Glass or the glass of ADF dirty?

Clean the Platen Glass or the glass of ADF.

Caution

If the glass of ADF is dirty, black streaks appear on the paper as shown below.

Caution

Be sure to turn off the power and unplug the power cord before cleaning the machine.
The power cannot be turned off while the machine is sending or receiving a fax, or when the received fax or unsent fax are stored in the machine's memory. Make sure if the machine completed sending or receiving all the faxes before disconnecting the power cord.
The machine cannot send or receive faxes when the power is turned off.
If you unplug the power cord, all the documents stored in the machine's memory will be deleted. Print the necessary documents or save them to the USB flash drive before unplugging the power cord.

With a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, wipe the Platen Glass (A), the inner side of the Document Cover (white sheet) (B), the glass of the ADF (C), and the inner side of the ADF (white area) (D) gently. Be sure not to leave any residue, especially on the Platen Glass.

Caution

The inner side of the Document Cover (white sheet) (B) is easily damaged, so wipe it gently.
If any foreign substances such as glue, ink or correction fluid are adhered to the glass of the ADF (C) as shown in the figure above, some black streaks will appear on the scanned image. In this case, wipe the dirt off gently.
Cleaning the Platen Glass and Document Cover

Cause and solution

Check 8: Is the Paper Feed Roller dirty?

Clean the Paper Feed Roller.

Caution

Cleaning the Paper Feed Roller will wear the roller, so perform this procedure only when necessary.

If the Paper Feed Roller is dirty or paper powder is attached to it, paper may not be fed properly.

In this case, clean the Paper Feed Roller. Cleaning will wear out the Paper Feed Roller, so perform this only when necessary.

You need to prepare: three sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper

1. Make sure that the power is turned on, and remove any paper in the Rear Tray.

2. Open the Paper Output Tray gently.

3. Clean the Paper Feed Roller without paper.

(1) Press the Menu button repeatedly until Maintenance appears.

(2) Use the (-) or (+) button to select Roller cleaning, and press the OK button.

The Paper Feed Roller will rotate as it is cleaned.

4. Clean the Paper Feed Roller with paper.

(1) Make sure that the Paper Feed Roller stops rotating, and load three or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray.

(2) Repeat the procedures in step 3.

The machine starts cleaning. The cleaning will be completed after the paper is ejected.

If the problem is not resolved after cleaning the Paper Feed Roller, contact the service center.

Cleaning the Paper Feed Roller

Cause and solution

Check 9: Is the inside of the machine dirty?

When performing duplex printing, the inside of the machine may become stained with ink, causing the printout to become smudged.

Perform the Bottom Plate Cleaning to clean the inside of the machine.

Caution

To prevent the inside of the machine from stains, set the paper size correctly.

Cleaning the Inside of the Machine (Bottom Plate Cleaning)

This section explains how to clean the inside of the machine. If the inside of the machine becomes dirty, printed paper may get dirty, so we recommend performing cleaning regularly.

Caution

Do not perform any other operations while performing the Bottom Plate Cleaning.

1. Make sure that the machine is turned on.

2. Open the Paper Output Tray gently.

3. Remove any paper from the Rear Tray.

4. Fold a single sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in half widthwise, then unfold the paper.

5. Load this and only this sheet of paper on the Rear Tray with the open side facing to the front.

(A) Load the paper after unfolding it.

6. Press the Menu button repeatedly until Maintenance appears.

7. Use the button to select Bottom cleaning, then press the OK button.

The paper cleans the inside of the machine as it feeds through the machine.

Check the folded part of the ejected paper. If it is smudged with ink, perform Bottom Plate Cleaning again.

If the problem is not resolved after performing cleaning again, the protrusions inside the machine may be stained. Clean them according to instructions.

-⋗ [ Cleaning the Protrusions inside the Machine ]

Caution

When performing Bottom Plate Cleaning again, be sure to use a new sheet of paper.

Cleaning the Protrusions inside the Machine

If protrusions inside the machine are stained, wipe off any ink from the protrusions using a cotton swab or the like.

Caution

Be sure to turn off the power and unplug the power cord before cleaning the machine.
The power cannot be turned off while the machine is sending or receiving a fax, or when the received fax or unsent fax are stored in the machine's memory. Make sure if the machine completed sending or receiving all the faxes before disconnecting the power cord.
The machine cannot send or receive faxes when the power is turned off.
If you unplug the power cord, all the documents stored in the machine's memory will be deleted. Print the necessary documents or save them to the USB flash drive before unplugging the power cord.

Cleaning the Inside of the Machine (Bottom Plate Cleaning)

Cause and solution

Check 10: Set Ink Drying Wait Time longer

Doing so gives the printed surface enough time to dry so that paper smudged and scratched are prevented.

1. Make sure that the machine is turned on.

2. Open the printer driver setup window.

3. Click the Maintenance tab and then Custom Settings.

4. Drag the Ink Drying Wait Time slide bar to set the wait time, and then click OK.

5. Confirm the message and click OK.

1.Make sure that the machine is turned on.

2.Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility.

3.Select Custom Settings in the pop-up menu.

4.Drag the Ink Drying Wait Time slide bar to set the wait time, and then click Apply.

5.Confirm the message and click OK.

Cause and solution

Check 11: Is the paper scratched by other loaded paper?

Depending on the media type, the paper may be scratched by other loaded paper when feeding from the Rear Tray. In this case, load one sheet at a time.

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