Printer won't power on, tried everything

Hi I forwarded the tips from "Timroperco TS Rookie" above on how to "fix" a canon printer after an electricity outing. We ave a Canon PM230. He followed the inststuctions and the problem was solved in less than 10 minutes. This seems to be a great forum so I signed right in :) Thanks Timroperco
 
Timroperco - thank you. My Cannon mp630 wouldn't power up (after an outage, I suspect). I removed the white bit with all the coloured wires, reinserted and it works just fine.
 
Greetings,
My printer was experiencing the same issue (no power). Followed your advice and unplugged / reconnected the two wires attached the power adapter. Plugged the unit back in and was printing in under 10 minutes. Your posted is much appreciated.
 
Same as may canon mp258 after using for scanning documents.. I turn it off properly.. 5 minutes later I turn it on to scan again some documents but suddenly it hang and got unexpected shutdown power malfunction. then luckily it has a power but after a few seconds got another unexpected shutdown even if I have a good power source AVR automatic voltage regulator. repeatedly and always end to that result until now.. so I'm thinking right now either my printer ac power supply jam or circuit board of printer itself electronics I.Cs or any electronics parts one of them got failure to function to distribute power to the printer, I'm always looking and asking for help here online and videos that are related to this kind of printer jam
 
Hi All

Interesting thread. I have 2 Canon PIXMA printers: IP4300 + IP5200R, purchased about the same time many years ago. The IP4300 recently decided NOT to switch on one day. The IP5200R remains powered and works very well indeed. The fact that it remains powered 'might' explain why it has never failed.

I have looked at the advice concerning resetting the printer and acted upon it but to all intents and purposes the IP4300 printer appears dead. It gives every appearance of having no power, except I know that it has power. I have checked. This rules out one failure condition. The cable, plug and fuse are all OK. The problem must therefore lay inside the printer.

As has been mentioned previously, the design of the ac adapter is such that it provides 2 dc output voltages: 24Vdc and 32Vdc. The ac adapter has a 5 pin dc 'output' connector: 2 wires provide 32V, includes a GND pin; 2 wires provide 24V, includes a GND pin, and the 5th wire is a control 'input' signal which effectively 'switches off' the output power from the ac adapter. Details of the ac adapter is usually found stamped on its case. The input ac voltage to the ac adapter is 100Vac - 240Vac.

If the ac adapter is not producing 32V and 24V with it removed from the printer then it is possible that the ac adapter is either faulty or there is sufficient electrical charge on the 5th wire to switch the ac adapter's outputs off. I am trying to ascertain what this control voltage is and by how much it varies. I suspect it is basically digital in nature.

The control voltage is derived from 2 sources within the printer: the main logic board and the printhead. If either develops a fault, it sends a control voltage to the ac adapter and the dc power is switched off. This is a safety measure.

The simplest check is the printhead which can usually be unclipped once the ink reservoirs have been removed. There are several excellent YouTube videos showing how to clean the printhead which if it gets caked in dried ink will cease to function. A misbehaving printhead will cause the printer to switch off. A faulty printhead will have the same effect and will need to be replaced.

Testing the logic board is much more difficult. If it has failed it will likely be a capacitor, a transistor or integrated circuit. Resistors and inductors very rarely fail. The simplest fix is to replace the logic board if one can be found. At this point is might prove to be a more cost effective solution to buy another printer.

But there is another component that can fail which is often overlooked: the interconnecting cables and connectors. From the descriptions I've read about 'miraculous fixes', it would seem that disconnecting and reconnecting various cables can re-establish better connectivity and make the printer work again. All connectors can suffer from corrosion between mating surfaces giving rise to high resistance and poor (or zero) connectivity. This will give rise to a fail condition and cause the printer ac adapter to shutdown. A sensible precaution. If disassembly and reassembly works to get the printer running again then suspect a poor connection/connector. If often helps to use a propriety electrical cleaner, the type in spray cans, which can remove any surface corrosion, at least for a time. Repeated application of spray cleaner maybe necessary after months or even years to keep the printer running.

For the technically-minded, the passing of electrical current through junctions between dissimilar metals involves electrolysis. A wet battery uses this principle to provide power but in time the battery plates degrade. Electrical connections can suffer too. Wires seldom, if ever, fail.
 
Hello:
I just want to say that I solved my Canon B200 error through this thread, and I signed up just to say "Thank you!" I have a Canon MX892 Multi-Printer, only about 18 months old (new cost about $350 now). I ran ink low, and got the error. I worked on all solutions found on the internet for the past week. Finally, I took it in to the repair shop, our local Cartridge World, left it overnight for inspection, and the guy said it was junk. Well, I was going to keep the old printer, since I decided to buy a good used Canon MX892, and then I could use the brand new inks I just bought for $50, and perhaps the print head. I sent my friend back to pick it up, and he came back with the printer and inks, but not the print head, so I sent him back for that, as well. I decided to soak print head one more time overnight in alcohol. This morning, I once again replaced all inks in the printer and the print head, and still B200 error.

Then, I again began searching a little more complex phrases, like "canon power supply," etc, and ended up here. I decided to take out the back plug in unit where the cord goes, as stated here, and just make sure the connections were tight. The plug unit came out without removing any screws--just pushing the top clip, and wiggling up and out from the bottom screw. Inside, no circuitry, but a grouping of blue wires attached to the little white plug, and one loose white wire with a metal end that was secured to the unit so as not to be floppy, but not connected to anything. I just pushed on the white clip with the blue wires (because I was afraid to pull out wires and couldn't get it out by lightly pulling) just to make sure it was seated good, and put the whole unit carefully back in. Then I put the printer back on my desk, plugged it back in, and Voila!, it works again! The printer went through all maintenance operations that I choose to do (cleaning, alignment, bottom plates, rollers), and then actually printed a document! Yay!!!!!!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed, but for now, it's working, thanks to your post! Thank you so much, and I hope by posting this, I can help other people with the dreaded B200 error, when other solutions don't work for them.
Take care, and again, thank you!
 
I had the same problem. Worked fine one day, the next day, wouldn't work. Computer is not recognizing printer because printer is not turning on. I already ordered a new printer and will no longer buy Canon. I purchased an HP. Had luck with them in the past. This was the 1st. Canon I ever purchased and will no longer be buying one. I haven't even used it that much and it's barely over a year.
 
Same problem here with a MP630, on the day I needed to print stuff out. Checked the wire voltages and I'm getting 22.9V and 30.5V on orange and green respectively. Presumably these should be 24V and 32V? Poorly PSU?
 
Fantastic, thanks for the ideas. after following the directions to remove the circuit board, I didn't have the hew socket, so just plugged it all back in, powered up my printer and its working again. thanks people.
 
Well, since this thread started in 2011 and has been updated regularly ever since and it's now 2016, it does indeed seem as if this is a common problem with the Pixma IP4500's. My story: Tonight I noticed that I was out of black ink and low on magenta, so I ran out to Staples and purchased $100 worth of ink cartridges (you can't buy them singly, alas). I went home and installed the black cartridge, and suddenly, the printer wouldn't power up any more. Like everyone else, I found this thread after desperately searching the 'net. I had shifted the printer around to be able to reach it properly to put in the ink cartridge, so I thought that Timroperco's suggestion was probably very relevant to me; a loose connection seemed likely. Timroperco deserves much thanks from many people; unfortunately, the remove-the-power-thingy-and-unplug-the-white-plug-and-then-put-it-all-back-together trick didn't work for me. For one moment I thought it had, because when I pressed the power button the light flashed on for a split second, but then it went dead again and I couldn't bring it back. Anything else I should try, or is this printer destined for recycling? And if the latter, does anyone want to purchase $100 worth of ink at a discount? :-(
 
My Canon iP3600 decided to be temperamental and made it as far as the porch ready to be taken to the tip. I did rescue it and it's working again but I've just bought another Canon printer off the internet which takes the same cartridges. It's only got one problem apparently - it doesn't work :). One good thing about these printers, at least the one I have, is that compatible cartridges are very cheap and there have been no issues with them in the printer. I have loads of unused cartridges too. There are so many tips for getting these printers going again that I think you've just got to be prepared to make it into a project or buy a second printer. I also have an HP printer but it is incredibly fussy about compatible cartridges and the originals are silly money even at discounted prices. When they work Canon printers take some beating.
 
My Canon iP3600 decided to be temperamental and made it as far as the porch ready to be taken to the tip. I did rescue it and it's working again

Since there is no fuse, could there be a ground fault interrupter? That would explain recovery of operation in so many cases by re-connecting the white wire thingy. Or maybe it doesn't.
 
I downloaded a piece of software that reset the printer and I also washed out the print head which took ages. One of the things I have learned is to replace a cartridge as soon as the ink level warning comes up. The compatibles are dirt cheap for my printer. I'm a bit off thread with my post because it powered on but didn't print.
 
Last edited:
I can comment on this more accurately now. I received my duff Canon all in one which wouldn't print and set about fixing it believing that the print head was blocked and needed a good clean. It switched on and although nothing was ever printed it went through the motions without an error message. Cleaning the head with the utility and then washing it out didn't work. I tried a head alignment check and after a few minutes it just died with no output. I decided to try disconnecting the white connector at the internal power supply as mentioned many times. It came to life and foolishly I proceeded to try to get it printing. Error B200 came up and I got round that. I tried to print a document and it died yet again. This time the head was jammed to the right and the white connector trick hasn't worked. I took the end pieces off the case to free the print head assembly and took out the print head. At this point I reckoned that the print head was faulty and that I should either have bought a new one or taken the machine to the recycling centre.

My thought is that if the things aren't used regularly the head is soon going to clog and fail. Also, I suspect that because the cost of a print head replacement is so steep a Canon printer is best suited to serious use. Another risk is that the logic board can be damaged by a faulty print head. Repairing a Canon is going to be a gamble, neither easy or cheap. I was quite impressed that apart from four screws at the rear the printer body is held together mainly by plastic tabs - easy to take apart if you can find them all without breaking anything. Oh well, you can't win them all.:)
 
To reset a MP series printer, the IP might or might not be the same:

  • Turn ON the printer.
  • Press and Hold the “Reset button” on the printer.
  • While pressing the “Reset button“, press and hold the “Color Start” button.
  • Wait for 5 seconds.
  • Release the “Color Start” button, and then release the “Reset Button“.
  • Wait until the printer starts to configure itself. This should take approximately around 20 seconds.
  • The no. “1” should be on the display, press and hold the “Tool” button and the letter “A” should now be on the display.
  • While pressing on the “Tool” button, press and hold the “Reset button“.
  • Wait util there are no more blinking lights on the printer.
  • Release the “Tool” button, and then release the “Reset Button“.
 
I can comment on this more accurately now. I received my duff Canon all in one which wouldn't print and set about fixing it believing that the print head was blocked and needed a good clean. It switched on and although nothing was ever printed it went through the motions without an error message. Cleaning the head with the utility and then washing it out didn't work. I tried a head alignment check and after a few minutes it just died with no output. I decided to try disconnecting the white connector at the internal power supply as mentioned many times. It came to life and foolishly I proceeded to try to get it printing. Error B200 came up and I got round that. I tried to print a document and it died yet again. This time the head was jammed to the right and the white connector trick hasn't worked. I took the end pieces off the case to free the print head assembly and took out the print head. At this point I reckoned that the print head was faulty and that I should either have bought a new one or taken the machine to the recycling centre.

My thought is that if the things aren't used regularly the head is soon going to clog and fail. Also, I suspect that because the cost of a print head replacement is so steep a Canon printer is best suited to serious use. Another risk is that the logic board can be damaged by a faulty print head. Repairing a Canon is going to be a gamble, neither easy or cheap. I was quite impressed that apart from four screws at the rear the printer body is held together mainly by plastic tabs - easy to take apart if you can find them all without breaking anything. Oh well, you can't win them all.:)
If the head clogs, you can just take an old cartridge and fill it with IPA and run that through it, or manually pour it through the head.
I use mine at least once a day so I haven't had the issue on this printer, but the technique will work.
 
The Canon takes five cartridges but my failed project is going to the recycling centre. It refuses to show any sign of life and as there was nothing to lose I took out the two screws on the head and checked inside. There was no sign of dried ink and it looked clean so I think that the electronics for the head or the logic board were damaged. My lesson learned is that buying a second hand Canon printer is a bad idea. If it has had little use that's bad and if it's been well used that's also bad. When my iP3600 was playing up I pulled an HP 6940 out of a cupboard where it had been stored for ages. It worked with no issues. Had it been the Canon in storage it would probably have been a different story. I can't grumble over the iP3600 because apart from one hiccup it continues to perform well and is very cheap to run. The same doesn't seem to hold for their more recent models though.
 
The Canon takes five cartridges but my failed project is going to the recycling centre. It refuses to show any sign of life and as there was nothing to lose I took out the two screws on the head and checked inside. There was no sign of dried ink and it looked clean so I think that the electronics for the head or the logic board were damaged. My lesson learned is that buying a second hand Canon printer is a bad idea. If it has had little use that's bad and if it's been well used that's also bad. When my iP3600 was playing up I pulled an HP 6940 out of a cupboard where it had been stored for ages. It worked with no issues. Had it been the Canon in storage it would probably have been a different story. I can't grumble over the iP3600 because apart from one hiccup it continues to perform well and is very cheap to run. The same doesn't seem to hold for their more recent models though.
Yeah, you can get a brand new mx922 for less than a hundred and it's a great printer with 2400dpi and you can get ink for it for 20 bucks for 25 cartridges. I use it to print BD discs, CDs, make waterslide decals, and do photo and document printing.
 
Thanks for the comments. For the moment I'm able to manage with 2 printers and a separate Canon scanner but the all in one units look very appealing. It's when you think about which brand and model to favour that things get impossible. The official reviewers often drool after a short test run and there are those misleading Amazon reviews by folks who get new equipment to try in exchange for a "True and fair Review". Read the problems that ordinary users have and you soon become caught like a rabbit in headlights. One of the big complaints with the Canon mx range is the cleaning cycle which wastes enormous amounts of ink. As well as being costly that fills up the system used to mop up the waste ink shortening the printers life.

I read a promising review where an all in one worked with wireless but scans required that it be plugged in by USB. It's so easy to miss things like that. Also the availability of compatibles is important. My HP will take them but is very choosey and even the one's that work cannot be read to check the ink levels. Anyway repairing printers doesn't seem a good idea given the cost and difficulty of getting spares.


I wonder if it would be worth starting a new thread devoted to suggestions for purchases of a new all in one printer. If yes, which section of this forum would be the best place to put it?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the comments. For the moment I'm able to manage with 2 printers and a separate Canon scanner but the all in one units look very appealing. It's when you think about which brand and model to favour that things get impossible. The official reviewers often drool after a short test run and there are those misleading Amazon reviews by folks who get new equipment to try in exchange for a "True and fair Review". Read the problems that ordinary users have and you soon become caught like a rabbit in headlights. One of the big complaints with the Canon mx range is the cleaning cycle which wastes enormous amounts of ink. As well as being costly that fills up the system used to mop up the waste ink shortening the printers life.

I read a promising review where an all in one worked with wireless but scans required that it be plugged in by USB. It's so easy to miss things like that. Also the availability of compatibles is important. My HP will take them but is very choosey and even the one's that work cannot be read to check the ink levels. Anyway repairing printers doesn't seem a good idea given the cost and difficulty of getting spares.


I wonder if it would be worth starting a new thread devoted to suggestions for purchases of a new all in one printer. If yes, which section of this forum would be the best place to put it?
I have had my canon MX for two years and never needed to run a single cleaning cycle. I do print often though. If you don't print often you probably can get by with a public printer at a fed ex store or kinkos.
Before I bought I researched printers for 5 months and checked all available types from high end toner laser color models to inkjets and the one I picked was best for cost, speed and quality per print when used with the ink supplier I found.
Its the best one I have owned.
 
I've spent most of the day reading about all in ones and haven't been able to make a decision. I did notice though that some of the older discontinued Canon's like the Pixma MG6250 are on sale (new) for a considerably higher price than their original recommended price. Brother all in ones look promising but there seem to be doubts about how good they are for photos. I think that for the present I'll sit things out.
 
I tried the solution of Timroperco and got a electrical shock from the circuit board! The power was not on, the power cable was not attached at that moment. So please be careful when messing around with opening the box with the circuit board. There's a reason why this thing is hard to open!

By the way I have a Pixma MP630 (5 years old) which stopped suddenly (no power anymore). I never managed to switch it back on, so came to this forum. Unfortunately the solution of Timroperco didn't work for me. Just after I checked for the 3rd time I got this shock and don't dare to touch it at all anymore :-(

I think I'll go for a HP now, I have the impression they are much more reliable.
 
I don't have any current hardware for printing or scanning but of my two rather old printers one is a Canon iP3600 and the other is an HP 6940 so we are going back 10 years. They are both working fine but I must say that the HP seems far more solidly built. The Canon is better in terms of print quality particularly for black and white. Although I have a separate Canon scanner it is a pain to scan and print so an all in one looks interesting. After trawling through reviews my conclusion is that Canon reliability over more recent years is awful and once error messages appear that's pretty well the end of the line. HP are really tricky when it comes to using compatibility cartridges and will be more expensive to run. If Brother can improve their print quality a little their next generation all in one could be a big seller.
 
Back