Black streak on back of paper, PIXMA MP500

[Avalanche]

My mom has a Canon PIXMA MP500 printer, and whenever something is printed, there is a black streak on the back of the paper (the paper is being loaded from the underside of the printer, if that matters). Here is a picture of what it looks like. (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/xxavalanchexx/DSCF2039.jpg) I've been tasked with resolving the problem and I don't know where to start. Would somebody be kind enough to help me figure out what may be wrong?

Thanks.

[redcow]

I believe that there is a blob of ink in the paper path. It's gonna need a good cleaning.
I'm not familier with the printer. A flashlight, some alcohol and open whatever covers you can to look at the paper path. You already have an idea of where the ink is, by looking at your photo. I noticed that the mark is heavier at the right side and lighter at the left. Which is the leading edge? If the right side of your picture is the leading edge, try printing about ten pages and see if the mark get progressivly lighter. The paper may wipe it clean for you.


Good luck

[contink]

I'm with redcow on this...

Try running a "Bottom Plate Cleaning" routine (found in the printing preferences menu > Maintenance).


From what I can see there's a blob of ink on one of the black rollers that helps feed the paper and it's entirely possible that the underside of your printhead has a mess of ink on it which is dripping off.

If that's the case you'll want to check that your cartridges aren't feeding too quickly. Are you using a CIS or refilled/3rd party cartridges by any chance?