Canon MG2400 Prints Blank Pages, Streaks, or Missing Areas: How to Fix It

Last Updated on 22.07.2026 by DriverNew

Canon PIXMA MG2400 series may print completely blank sheets, faint text, photos with incorrect colors, or pages with horizontal white streaks. Sometimes only black is missing while color elements continue to print, or one of the colors is absent.

The problem is most often related to a FINE cartridge, clogged nozzles, a low ink level, or an incorrectly installed cartridge. First, print a nozzle check pattern. It will help determine whether the problem is in the multifunction printer or in the program from which the document is being printed.

This guide applies to the following models:

Canon PIXMA MG2400, MG2410, MG2420, MG2440, MG2450, MG2460, MG2470, MG2480, and MG2490.

All the devices listed above belong to the Canon PIXMA MG2400 series family and use the same basic print head checking and cleaning procedure.

First, determine where the problem is

The main test is to print a nozzle check pattern directly from the multifunction printer’s operation panel. You do not need to open a document or start a program on the computer.

Test result	What it means
The nozzle check pattern is also blank	The problem is related to the cartridges, ink, nozzles, or cartridge installation.
Lines or colors are missing from the pattern	Print head cleaning is required.
The nozzle check pattern prints correctly, but documents are blank	The problem is probably related to the program, selected printer, driver, or specific document.
The colors are present, but the lines are misaligned	After checking the nozzles, perform print head alignment.

Method 1. Print a nozzle check pattern using the buttons on the multifunction printer

The nozzle check pattern shows whether black and color ink are being delivered through the print head. Canon recommends starting troubleshooting for faint printing, missing colors, and white streaks with this test.

Step 1. Prepare the paper

1. Take one clean sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.
2. Load the sheet into the rear tray.
3. Move the paper guide against the edge of the sheet without bending it.
4. Open the paper output tray and extend the output tray extension.

Step 2. Start the nozzle check

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Wait until the green ON lamp stops flashing.
3. Press and hold the Stop button.
4. Watch the orange Alarm lamp.
5. When the orange lamp flashes once, immediately release the Stop button.
6. Wait for the pattern to print.

Do not press any other buttons or turn off the multifunction printer until printing is complete.

Step 3. Check the printed pattern

Examine the black grid and color bars.

Cleaning is required if:

• individual lines are missing from the black grid;
• part of the black grid was not printed;
• horizontal white lines are visible in the color bars;
• one color is completely missing;
• the entire pattern is very faint;
• the sheet is completely blank.

If the lines and color areas are printed completely and without gaps, cleaning is not required. Proceed to the section about documents that print blank even though the nozzle check pattern is normal.

Method 2. Perform standard cleaning using the buttons on the multifunction printer

Standard cleaning helps clear clogged nozzles. Canon recommends performing it if lines are missing from the pattern or horizontal white streaks are present.

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.
2. Wait until the ON lamp remains steadily lit.
3. Press and hold the Stop button.
4. When the orange Alarm lamp flashes twice, immediately release the button.
5. The multifunction printer will begin cleaning the print head.
6. Wait until the green ON lamp stops flashing and remains steadily lit again.

Standard cleaning takes approximately 30 seconds. Do not turn off the multifunction printer or perform other operations until it is complete.

Print the nozzle check pattern again after cleaning

1. Load one sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.
2. Press and hold the Stop button.
3. Release it after the orange lamp flashes once.
4. Compare the new pattern with the previous one.

If the quality has improved but small gaps remain, perform standard cleaning one more time.

Method 3. Perform deep cleaning

Deep cleaning is more intensive than standard cleaning and uses more ink. Canon recommends using it after two unsuccessful standard cleaning cycles.

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.
2. Wait until the green ON lamp stops flashing.
3. Press and hold the Stop button.
4. When the orange Alarm lamp flashes three times, immediately release the button.
5. Wait until deep cleaning is complete.

The procedure takes approximately one minute. It is complete when the ON lamp stops flashing and remains steadily lit again.

Check the result

1. Load a clean A4 or Letter sheet.
2. Print the nozzle check pattern again.
3. Check the black grid and color bars.

If deep cleaning did not help

1. Turn off the multifunction printer using the power button.
2. Do not turn it off and on repeatedly.
3. Wait 24 hours.
4. Turn on the multifunction printer.
5. Perform deep cleaning one more time.
6. Print the nozzle check pattern again.

If there is no improvement after repeating deep cleaning 24 hours later, Canon recommends replacing the affected FINE cartridge.

Method 4. Perform checking and cleaning from the computer

The same procedures can be started through the Canon driver. This method is convenient if the buttons on the multifunction printer work, but it is easier for the user to select actions on the screen.

Step 1. Open the driver settings

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Connect it to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Press Windows + R.
4. Enter the following command:

control printers

5. Click OK.
6. Find Canon MG2400 series Printer.
7. Right-click the icon.
8. Select Printing preferences.
9. Open the Maintenance tab.

Print a nozzle check pattern

1. On the Maintenance tab, click Nozzle Check.
2. Load one sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.
3. Click the button to print the pattern.
4. Confirm the action by clicking OK.
5. Check the printed sheet.

Perform standard cleaning

1. On the Maintenance tab, click Cleaning.
2. If the program asks you to select an ink group, select the affected color or all colors.
3. Click Execute.
4. Confirm that you want to start the procedure.
5. Wait until the procedure is complete.
6. Print a new nozzle check pattern.

Perform deep cleaning

1. Open the Maintenance tab.
2. Click Deep Cleaning.
3. Select the required ink group.
4. Click Execute.
5. Confirm the action.
6. Wait until the procedure is complete.
7. Print a nozzle check pattern.

In the Canon driver, standard cleaning and deep cleaning are located on the Maintenance tab. Performing these operations frequently uses ink quickly, so they should be started only when there are gaps or missing colors.

Method 5. Check the installation of the FINE cartridges

If a cartridge is not installed securely, ink may not be delivered correctly. Open the cover and make sure that both cartridges are fully locked into place.

Step 1. Open the cover

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Remove any paper from the paper output tray.
3. Open the cartridge access cover.
4. Wait until the holder stops completely.

Step 2. Check the cartridges

1. Make sure that both cartridges are installed: black and color.
2. Check that each cartridge is installed in the correct position.
3. Carefully press the cartridge until it locks into place.
4. It should be installed securely and should not come out of the holder.

Step 3. Check the protective tape

If a new cartridge has been installed:

1. Remove it according to the replacement instructions.
2. Check whether the orange protective tape has been completely removed.
3. Make sure that no pieces of tape remain on the bottom of the cartridge.
4. Reinstall the cartridge until it clicks into place.

Remaining protective tape blocks the ink supply. Do not touch the electrical contacts or cartridge nozzles with your hands.

Step 4. Close the cover and check printing

1. Close the cover.
2. Wait until the multifunction printer finishes preparing.
3. Print a nozzle check pattern.

Method 6. Determine which cartridge is causing the problem

Canon MG2400 series uses separate black and color FINE cartridges. The nozzle check pattern can help determine which one is not working correctly.

What is missing	What to check
The black grid or black text	The black FINE cartridge
One or more colors	The color FINE cartridge
A completely blank pattern	Both cartridges, their installation, the protective tape, and the ink supply
White streaks only in the color areas	The color cartridge nozzles
Gaps only in the black grid	The black cartridge nozzles

Check the ink lamps

There are two ink status lamps on the multifunction printer’s operation panel:

• the upper lamp corresponds to the black cartridge;
• the lower lamp corresponds to the color cartridge.

If a lamp is lit or flashing orange, check the ink level and the condition of the corresponding cartridge.

If the cartridge is empty, cleaning will not restore printing. It must be replaced.

Method 7. Replace the cartridge if cleaning did not help

In FINE cartridges, the print head nozzles are part of the cartridge itself. Therefore, replacing the affected cartridge also replaces its print head.

Replacement is required if:

• the nozzle check pattern remains blank after cleaning;
• one color is completely missing;
• there is no improvement after deep cleaning and waiting 24 hours;
• the cartridge is empty;
• the multifunction printer displays a cartridge recognition error;
• the cartridge contacts or body are damaged;
• the cartridge has not been used for a long time and the nozzles cannot be restored.

General replacement procedure

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Open the cartridge access cover.
3. Wait until the holder stops.
4. Remove the faulty cartridge.
5. Unpack the new cartridge.
6. Completely remove the protective tape.
7. Do not touch the contacts or nozzles.
8. Install the cartridge in the correct position.
9. Press it until it locks into place.
10. Close the cover.
11. Wait until preparation is complete.
12. Print a nozzle check pattern.

Method 8. Perform alignment if the lines are misaligned

Cleaning removes gaps and white streaks but does not correct misaligned straight lines. If tables, borders, or vertical lines print unevenly, perform print head alignment.

Step 1. Print the print head alignment sheet

1. Take one clean white sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.
2. Load it into the rear tray.
3. Turn on the multifunction printer.
4. Press and hold the Stop button.
5. When the orange Alarm lamp flashes four times, immediately release the button.
6. Wait for the print head alignment sheet to print.

Do not touch the printed areas or bend the sheet.

Step 2. Scan the print head alignment sheet

1. Lift the scanner cover.
2. Place the print head alignment sheet on the platen glass with the printed side facing down.
3. Align the mark in the lower-right corner of the sheet with the alignment mark on the platen glass.
4. Carefully close the cover.
5. Press the Color or Black button.
6. Do not open the cover or move the sheet while it is being scanned.
7. Wait until the green lamp stops flashing.
8. Remove the sheet from the platen glass.

After alignment, print a document containing a table or straight lines and check the result.

Method 9. Check the paper and print quality settings

Streaks and uneven colors are not always caused by the nozzles. Check the selected paper type and print quality.

Check how the paper is loaded

1. Remove the paper from the rear tray.
2. Make sure that the sheets are not damp, wrinkled, or curled.
3. If the paper has a specific printing side, load it with that side facing up.
4. Align the stack.
5. Load the paper into the rear tray.
6. Move the paper guide against the edge of the stack.

Check the driver settings

1. Open the document.
2. Press Ctrl + P.
3. Select Canon MG2400 series Printer.
4. Click Printer properties or Preferences.
5. On the Main tab, select the type of paper that is actually loaded.
6. For a standard document, select Plain Paper.
7. In the print quality field, select Standard or High.
8. Click OK.
9. Try printing again.

Increasing the print quality may improve uneven printing or misaligned lines, but it will not restore a completely missing color.

Method 10. If the nozzle check pattern is normal but documents print blank

If the built-in Canon pattern prints completely, the cartridges and nozzles are working. In this case, do not perform additional cleaning.

Check the selected printer

1. Open the document.
2. Press Ctrl + P.
3. Make sure that Canon MG2400 series Printer is selected.
4. Do not select Microsoft Print to PDF, OneNote, or an old Canon copy.
5. Try printing again.

Test a simple document

1. Open Notepad.
2. Enter several lines of text.
3. Press Ctrl + P.
4. Select Canon MG2400 series Printer.
5. Click Print.

If text from Notepad prints, the problem is related to a specific document or program.

Check the print mode

1. Open the Canon printing preferences.
2. Make sure that an unusual profile or special paper type is not selected.
3. Restore the default driver settings.
4. Select Plain Paper and standard quality.
5. Try printing again.

Reinstall MP Drivers

If the nozzle check pattern prints but documents from different programs remain blank:

1. Turn off the multifunction printer.
2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
3. Remove Canon MG2400 series MP Drivers through Apps in Windows Settings.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Open the official Canon page:
   Download Canon MG2400 series MP Drivers
6. Make sure that the filename begins with:

mp68-win-mg2400-

7. Run the installation file as an administrator.
8. In the “Welcome” window, click Next >.
9. In the “License Agreement” window, click Yes.
10. Connect the USB cable only after the “Connect Cable” window appears.
11. Turn on the multifunction printer.
12. Wait until the installation is complete.

What you should not do

• do not run deep cleaning several times in succession;
• do not perform cleaning if the nozzle check pattern already prints correctly;
• do not touch the cartridge nozzles or electrical contacts with your fingers;
• do not move the cartridge holder by hand;
• do not install a cartridge with protective tape still attached;
• do not continue printing a large number of pages if the cartridge is empty;
• do not buy a cartridge without checking its regional number;
• do not reinstall the driver if the built-in nozzle check pattern also has gaps—service the cartridges first.

Recommended sequence of actions

Stage	Action
1	Print a nozzle check pattern
2	Perform one standard cleaning cycle
3	Check the nozzles again
4	Perform a second standard cleaning cycle if necessary
5	If there is no improvement, perform deep cleaning
6	If there is no result, turn off the multifunction printer and wait 24 hours
7	Repeat deep cleaning once
8	If the problem remains, replace the faulty FINE cartridge