Canon Mx860 Print Head

What You Need to Know About Canon MX860 Print Heads

As your Canon MX860 or other inkjet printer ages, you will sometimes notice that some of the colors will stop printing or begin to print in uneven lines. This is an indication that there is an issue with the print head. Fortunately, there are many affordable Canon MX860 print heads on eBay that you can use to get your printer working as it should.

How do you know your print head is bad?

There are a couple of things to look for that indicate your print head may be bad. If you notice that your print quality is lagging, you may want to start by cleaning the print head. Your manual will offer instructions on how to clean your print head. Also, you may be low on ink, so check and replace your ink cartridges as needed. If you have replaced the ink and cleaned the print head, you may still need to replace your print head if:

• Pages print blank
• The print quality is poor
• Horizontal lines of white, uneven colors, or streaks appear on the page
• Printed colors appear significantly different from what is on your computer screen

What print head do you need for the Canon MX860?

With so many inexpensive print heads available on eBay, it is important to know which model you need. The Canon QY6-0073 print head is what you need for the Canon MX860. A QY6-0073 Canon OEM print head will also work. The QY6-0073 will also work with Canon printers MX870, MG5140, IP3600, MP560, and MP620.

How do you install a new print head?

Now that you have your new print head, take a look at how to put it in. While these instructions are for a new or preowned Canon MX860 print head, they also apply to other models. Each printer may have a slightly different procedure, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions for further details.

• Step 1: Turn the power on, lift the paper output tray, then lift the scanning unit up.
• Step 2: Remove all ink cartridges.
• Step 3: Raise the print head lock lever, then tilt the print head forward slightly and lift it out.
• Step 4: Place the new print head in and press the lock until you hear it click.
• Step 5: Replace the ink cartridges and close the cover.

What does a print head do?

A print head works by delivering small drops of ink to the paper to create the image or text that you are printing. Ink is transported from the ink cartridges via tubes to the print head. Heating elements heat the tubes while the ink travels, creating a small ink bubble and determining the size of the drop that will go onto the paper. Over time, print heads can get clogged or otherwise malfunction. The heating elements can also go bad.

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