Fixing Vertical Zigzag Lines on Canon Pixma MX922: Troubleshooting Alignment Columns G and H

Question:

I’ve installed a new printhead and new cartridges in my Canon Pixma MX922, but I’m still getting a vertical zigzag pattern in my prints. I tried aligning the printhead, but I’m unable to read the values in columns G and H. What do G and H control, and how can I fix or bypass the issue if I am unable to read them?

Answer:

Understanding Canon Print Alignment Columns

Canon printers, such as the MX922, use a printed alignment sheet consisting of multiple columns labeled A through H. These alignment patterns enable the printer to calibrate both horizontal and vertical alignment, ensuring sharp and accurate printing.

• Columns G and H are crucial for vertical alignment and are used to fine-tune bi-directional printing, when the printhead prints in both directions (left to right and proper to left).

• Columns E and F can also slightly influence vertical patterns, although their primary function lies more in horizontal alignment.

If columns G and H are unreadable—either blurry, blank, or smeared—it prevents you from entering the correct alignment values and leads to continued misalignment or zigzagging.

Why Columns G and H Might Be Unreadable

Even though you’ve installed a new head and cartridges, here are common culprits for unreadable alignment patterns in G and H:

1. Clogged or Dry Nozzles – Even new printheads may have dried ink or air bubbles from storage.

2. Air Bubbles in Ink Lines – These interrupt proper ink flow, leading to faint or missing lines.

3. Dirty Encoder Strip or Timing Belt – The encoder strip, a transparent film located behind the printhead carriage, helps position the head. The timing belt controls movement. If these are dirty, misalignment can occur.

4. Non-OEM or Mis-seated Cartridges – Can cause improper electrical contact or ink starvation.

5. Low Ink Saturation – May result in light or invisible print patterns.

Steps to Troubleshoot and Fix the Problem

1. Perform Deep Cleaning

From your printer’s maintenance menu:

• Select “Deep Cleaning” and run it up to two times.

• This can help flush air bubbles and improve nozzle performance.

2. Flush the Printhead Manually

Even new heads can contain micro-bubbles or old ink.

• Use a printhead flush clip or soft syringe to push cleaning solution through.

• Be gentle and let the printhead dry completely before reinstalling.

3. Clean the Encoder Strip and Timing Belt

These mechanical components affect printhead accuracy.

• The encoder strip is the thin, clear strip running behind the carriage.

• The timing belt is the toothed transparent belt that moves the carriage.

• Use a lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol to clean both gently.

• Avoid pulling or scratching these sensitive components.

4. Work Around G and H Manually

If G and H remain unreadable:

• Use the sharpest patterns from neighboring columns (F and E) to estimate the center value for G and H.

• Try printing several full-color photos to force ink through the nozzles.

• Try the “Auto Alignment” option using the printer’s scanner bed—it can sometimes succeed even when manual alignment fails.

5. Disable Bi-Directional Printing

This removes reliance on perfect vertical alignment:

• On your PC, go to Printer Preferences > Maintenance > Custom Settings.

• Uncheck “High-Speed Printing” to switch to uni-directional mode.

• This slows printing but improves accuracy.

6. Recheck Cartridges

• Make sure all cartridges are fully seated.

• Try swapping in a known-good or OEM cartridge set just in case the issue is related to cartridge compatibility or flow.

If the Problem Persists

Printer alignment issues like this often involve a combination of mechanical precision and ink flow. While replacing the head and cartridges is a great first step, deeper issues—like dirt on mechanical sensors or slight factory defects—can still interfere with output.

Important Note on Repair Services

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thanks again for your thoughtful question and your support of our channel. We truly appreciate your trust in BCH Technologies and look forward to helping you keep your printer in top shape.