Canon PIXMA TR4720 / TR4722 series
TR4720 print quality: use the nozzle check to separate ink, paper, and settings
Canon’s TR4700 series manual lists TR4720, TR4722 and related family variants. Its print-quality troubleshooting starts with paper and quality settings, then checks ink level and cartridge installation, then uses a nozzle-check pattern to decide whether cleaning is warranted. That ordering matters because the TR4720 uses FINE cartridges: an empty color, cartridge not clicked into place, or protective tape left on a replacement can look like a clogged printhead. Repeated cleaning before these checks consumes ink without correcting the setup fault.
The most useful first comparison is a pattern sheet plus a sample page that shows the complaint. Note whether the output is blank, black is absent, one color is faint, colors are inaccurate, or horizontal streaks cross the page. For a copy, include platen glass and original placement in the investigation; for a computer job, note driver and paper settings. Canon’s TR4700 sequence says to clean, inspect the pattern, clean again if necessary, and only then move to Deep Cleaning. Keep the printouts so the service history reflects actual improvement or no change.
Confirm the consumable used by TR4720
Canon’s ink-number page lists PG-275 or PG-275XL black and CL-276 or CL-276XL color FINE cartridges for the TR4700 family. Check the model label and page before buying; these are not TR8620’s PGI-280/CLI-281 tanks and not the GI bottle system of G series. If a recently replaced cartridge is involved, follow Canon’s seating steps and confirm all protective tape is removed. Do not touch the printhead or electrical contacts while checking the cartridge.
Eliminate media and application causes first
Canon’s troubleshooting advises checking paper and print-quality settings before maintenance. Verify the driver paper type matches what is loaded, the sheet is supported and the printable side is oriented correctly. For photos, use an appropriate media setting; for a copy, clean the platen and position the original correctly. If one application prints a bad page while a direct copy is normal, preserve that distinction and inspect the computer-side queue or driver rather than consuming cartridge ink with cleaning.
Print and read the nozzle pattern
Use the Canon TR4700 nozzle-check function and inspect the black and color patterns. Missing lines or white horizontal bands indicate the printhead’s ink delivery should be checked; a complete pattern means cleaning is not the next step. Record which block is defective and compare it with the sample page. The pattern is a controlled diagnostic output, unlike a photo whose color profile, source image or paper can create apparent tint or low saturation.
Run the standard Cleaning control and recheck
Canon’s TR4700 manual says to enter Setup, select Maintenance, then Cleaning using the operation-panel arrows and OK button. The cycle takes roughly one minute. Wait until it finishes, print another nozzle check and compare the affected color. If improvement is visible, stop and make one small test print. If the same defect remains, use the second standard clean only as the manual permits; do not start multiple jobs while cleaning is still underway.
Use Deep Cleaning only after two ordinary cleans fail
Canon recommends Deep Cleaning if two standard cleaning attempts do not resolve the pattern. The deeper cycle consumes more ink. Follow the display prompts, wait for completion and check the result. If the defect persists, Canon’s troubleshooting describes leaving the printer off but plugged in for more than 24 hours before the next prescribed step, then requesting service if the pattern still fails. Do not remove or soak the cartridge/printhead assembly; the owner guide’s replacement and service boundary should govern.
Report the result by print source and color
When contacting support, provide TR4720 or TR4722 as printed on the device, the PG-275/CL-276 cartridge status, sample and nozzle pattern, driver or copy source, and exact number of cleaning cycles. Note whether the same color is missing on a copy and computer print. That report separates a cartridge/printhead path from media or software settings. If cleaning did not change the pattern, stop repeating it and use Canon service rather than continuing to consume cartridges.
If the first clean changes one color but leaves another unchanged, record that mixed result instead of treating the cycle as wholly successful or failed. The next action depends on which channel remains missing and whether its FINE cartridge level is low. Keep the pages in order so Canon support can see whether each permitted step altered the pattern.